2026 Switchback Event Guide

JUNE 16-18, 2026

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

K C A B H C T I SW SPRING

@switchbackevent

Produced by:

Every story, every journey, every mile...

Visit Us in Booth #439 & #539

2 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

SWITCHBACK SPRING 2026 will take place June 16-18 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

As the dedicated gathering place for the outdoor industry, attendees can look forward to three high-energy days of education, business, connection, and celebration.

Switchback Spring will open with a full day of education built specifically for outdoor specialty retailers and their teams.

The day will close on a celebratory note at the Welcome Party.

Days two and three shift to the exhibit hall, where retailers, media, and more will discover new products from established and emerging brands alike. Additional programming on the show floor will address broader outdoor industry challenges and trends. Opportunities to build new industry relationships Official Event Partner will continue throughout all three days of the event with dynamic networking and tailored meetups.

This guide outlines what the industry can expect at Switchback Spring.

From the exhibit hall map and speaker lineup to a preview of special activations and New Orleans recommendations, explore this guide to learn more about Switchback and prepare for your time in ‘The Big Easy.’

THANK YOU TO SWITCHBACK SPRING 2026 SUMMIT SPONSORS:

Switchback Photography courtesy of Max Photography, Austin.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Produced by Switchback

Switchback: DAY 2 Start Here 06 A Note from Switchback’s Event Director 06 Meet the Team 08 What to Expect 10 Schedule-at-a-Glance

34 Discover Trailheads 35 Switchback Roadshow 36 Featured Article

19 Wednesday Featured Presentation 20 Exhibitor Directory 24 Exhibit Hall Floor Plan 26 Exhibit Hall Featured Areas 28 Trailheads Theater Presentations 29 Happy Hour & More

Highlights & Resources 40 Official Event Partner: Outdoor Industry Association 41 Partner Organizations 44 Media at Switchback Spring 45 Guide to New Orleans 47 Venue & Travel

Switchback: DAY 1 14 Conference Program & Speakers 15 Tuesday Featured Presentations 16 Welcome Party

Switchback: DAY 3 31 Morning Walk 32 Trailheads Theater Presentations

SCAN TO REGISTER

FOR SWITCHBACK SPRING!

www.switchbackevent.com/register 4 •• SWITCHBACK SPRING• 2025 • NASHVILLE, SWITCHBACK SPRING NEW ORLEANS, LA TN

48 Event App 48 Giving Back at Switchback Spring 49 Webinars & Social Media

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 5

A NOTE FROM

SWITCHBACK EVENT DIRECTOR

Sean Smith

OUTDOOR COMMUNITY FRIENDS: Growing up, all I ever wanted or could think of was being outside. Fishing, swimming in the lake, riding bikes, exploring in the woods, climbing rocks, duck diving in the ocean – it didn’t matter to me what I was doing, as long as I was outside. And the person I credit for creating this deep love of the outdoors is my mom. She was a single mom with three kids, and she encouraged all of us to be adventurous and to explore; to not worry about getting dirty or skinning up our knees. She was my inspiration in so many ways.

As we prepare to gather in New Orleans for Switchback Spring 2026, I hope you’ll take a moment to think about who or what inspired your passion for the outdoors. It’s one of the best parts of gathering in person as an industry and community—sharing that passion and getting inspired all over again.

I believe this year’s event will provide that inspiration in many ways, to all who attend and participate. There will be meaningful content and education sessions designed to elevate your business. An exhibit hall full of innovative brands and companies that create purpose-driven product for the best outdoor experiences. Three days of meeting, connecting, and building relationships with some of the most inspirational people in the world whose common denominator is a love for the outdoors.

The best advice our team can share with those of you coming to Switchback is totake advantage of all the opportunities being offered. Attend the conference sessions on Tuesday; say hello to your booth neighbors while setting up on the show floor; don’t miss the opening night party at Generations Hall; take advantage of those unscheduled meetings over coffee or a drink in your hotel lobby. As my mom would say: get out there, explore, and have fun!

On behalf of the entire Switchback team, thank you for being a part of this gathering. We look forward to hearing what inspires you most at Switchback!

All the best,

Sean

MEET THE SWITCHBACK TEAM! Leadership

Marketing & Partnerships

Sales

Brian Cuthbert Sr. Vice President at Diversified

Christina Henderson Vice President, Endurance Portfolio

Sean Smith Event Director

Events, Education, & Content

Genae Salinas

Caitlin Ewing

Sales Manager

Sr. Marketing Manager

Sr. Content Manager

Sam Selvaggio

Ryan Nettleton

Joe Jackson

Noelle Maibaum

Account Executive

Marketing Manager

Sr. Content Coordinator

Glenn Dulberg

Regan Buck

Stefanie Cunniffe

Sr. Marketing Coordinator

Event Manager

Emma Galeckas

Hailey Morrill

Sr. Attendee Relations Coordinator

Sr. Event Coordinator

Sales Manager

Marcus Woolf Trailheads Editor

Amelia Arveson Trailheads Editor

6 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

Discover the art of being outside with our Japanese-designed camping gear and apparel.

VISIT US IN BOOTH 839

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 7

WHAT

TO EXPECT

Switchback Spring is where the outdoor industry converges to do business, learn, and celebrate everything that makes this community so special. Here’s a glimpse of what you can look forward to this June in New Orleans.

Our goal for outdoor specialty retailers is to use our gathering to elevate their importance, amplify their voice to the broader industry, and most importantly help them with their day-to-day business by providing them with a fantastic place for learning and discovery, as well as a focused environment for meaningful brand meetings.

– SEAN SMITH, SWITCHBACK EVENT DIRECTOR

DYNAMIC DISCOVERY

Switchback was built to support the outdoor industry. A critical part of that mission is dedicated time for business and product discovery on the show floor—a space for outdoor brands and retailers to meet, collaborate, and do business.

For two full days, the Switchback Spring exhibit hall will be home to 200+ outdoor brands representing hard- and soft-goods categories like footwear, apparel, camping, hiking, hydration, nutrition, accessories, trail running, technology, and first aid.

Expect to find a mix of legacy and emerging brands ready to connect, along with immersive activations, celebratory happy hours, and dynamic show floor education.

CHECK OUT PAGE 20 FOR THE EXHIBITOR LINEUP

CONNECTION THAT MATTERS

One of the biggest takeaways from the inaugural Switchback Spring was the importance of in-person gatherings. This year, opportunities for connection and conversation will be woven throughout each day of the event, from dedicated celebrations like the Welcome Party to built-in networking time between conference sessions and in the exhibit hall.

Connection is a key ingredient to successful business strategies and growth. Take advantage of your time in New Orleans to share ideas and challenges with your peers; create space to cultivate new industry relationships and grow your network. And don’t let it end there. Take those conversations back to your business and lean on them throughout the year as you navigate the ever-changing retail landscape.

SEE AN OVERVIEW OF THE EVENT AGENDA ON PAGE 10

TAILORED

EDUCATION

Learning is the foundation for growth and discovery at Switchback Spring, which is why programming spans all three days of the event. In collaboration with Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and centered around the theme “Equipping the Outdoor Industry for the Future,” the Switchback team strategically created an education program packed with actionable, timely learnings for outdoor specialty retailers that will leave attendees feeling inspired and energized to take new insights back to their teams.

While Day One education (Tuesday, June 16) is dedicated to outdoor specialty retailers, the learnings will continue throughout Days Two and Three in the exhibit hall at the Trailheads Theater. This unique area of the show floor is a space to step away from the noise and engage with thought leaders and Switchback partner organizations for conversations focused on outdoor access, community impact, public lands advocacy, and so much more.

SEE PAGE 14 FOR CONFERENCE PROGRAM DETAILS. SEE PAGE 28 AND PAGE 32 FOR TRAILHEADS THEATER PRESENTATION DETAILS.

8 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 9

SCHEDULE

See an overview of the daily Switchback AT-A-GLANCE Spring Open only to All-Access, Non-Exhibiting Company, Press, and Exhibitor Conference pass holders agenda.

CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE AGENDA.

Indicates food and/or drinks are provided

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

DAY THREE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Badge Pick-up

7:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Badge Pick-up

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM: Conference Brunch

7:45 AM – 8:30 AM: Conference Breakfast

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Welcome & Opening Remarks

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Featured Presentation

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Featured Presentation

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Exhibit Hall: Day One Hours

1:30 PM – 4:15 PM: Conference Breakout Sessions

11:00 AM – 4:30 PM:

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM: Conference Coffee Break 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Featured Presentation 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Welcome Party at Generations Hall

Theater

THURSDAY, JUNE 18 6:45 AM – 7:45 AM: Morning Walk at Audubon Park

Presented by:

8:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Badge Pick-up 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Exhibit Hall: Day Two Hours 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM:

Theater

Presentations

Presentations

4:45 PM – 5:30 PM: Switchback Partner Social 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Exhibit Hall Happy Hour

Presented by:

PLEASE NOTE:

The exhibit hall is not open on Tuesday, June 16.

Emma Galeckas

Sr. Attendee Relations Coordinator

Have a question about Switchback?

REACH OUT TO ATTENDEE RELATIONS COORDINATOR

EMMA GALECKAS

FOR DIRECT SUPPORT: INFO@SWITCHBACKEVENT.COM.

10 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

WEBINAR HOW TO SWITCHBACK

THURSDAY, JUNE 4 | 2:00 PM ET Join the Switchback team for a discussion about what to expect at Switchback Spring 2026 and how you can maximize your time in New Orleans. Hear about can’t-miss onsite activities and programming, and get a peek into what it’s like to plan the event.

CLICK HERE for more details!

ALASKA PROVEN. BUILT FOR ALL. The XTRATUF Camp Collection is built for life outdoors.

100% waterproof with slip-resistant outsoles and a fleece lining for cold nights, these a staple around any campsite.

Featured Product: ADB Camp Collection, XMADBC30, XMADBC20, XWADBC50, XWADBC10 XTRATUF is a registered trademark of Rocky Brands, Inc. © 2026

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 11

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

by

THE COOLER YOU’LL TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT EASY OPEN, EASY CLOSE MAGNETIC COOLERS

FIND US AT

BOOTH #1037

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 13

CONFERENCE

PROGRAM & SPEAKERS

Developed in partnership with Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), the Switchback Spring 2026 education program is built around the theme “Equipping the Outdoor Industry for the Future.”

Sessions are designed to reflect the evolving needs of the industry while delivering forward-thinking, action-driven content.

Conference Brunch will be served on Tuesday, June 16 from 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM.

Outdoor specialty retailers will leave inspired, informed, and ready to act with tools they can immediately apply to their businesses. Topics will span leadership and change management, outdoor culture and community, supply chain strategy and merchandising, AI, marketing, and more.

Open only to All-Access, Non-Exhibiting Company, Press, and Exhibitor Conference pass holders

TUESDAY, JUNE 16 / 11:45 AM – 5:45 PM / Level 2, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM CONFERENCE BRUNCH 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM FEATURED PRESENTATION: Who’s Getting Outside: Participation Trends Shaping the Outdoor Market Kelly Davis

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM The Role of Ecommerce in Outdoor Specialty Retail Lloyd Vogel (Moderator)

Garage Grown Gear

Eoin Comerford

Outsize Consulting

Molly Hanks Doyle

Title Nine

6 Lessons from the Outdoor Industry’s Best Marketers Amanda Smith

Monday Creative

Lessons in Change Fluency for Outdoor Retail Leaders: Building Resilient, Adaptable Teams

Marion Outdoors

Durability as Value: Making Longevity a Competitive Advantage in Outdoor Retail Julie Brown (Moderator)

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

Leigh Gray

W.L. Gore & Associates

Troy Sicotte

Mountain Hardwear

Chris Speyer

Mountain Equipment Company (MEC)

From Cash Chaos to Confident Growth: A Profit System for Outdoor Specialty Retailers Jacob Curtis

Curtis Accounting Solutions

14 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

The Retail Resale Opportunity: Strategies for Secondhand Success Marcus Woolf (Moderator) Trailheads

Shawn Bentley

Massey’s Outfitters

Julie Lamarra

Utah State University

Ethan Garceau

Outdoor Gear Exchange

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Trade Winds: Tariffs, Risk, and the Future of Outdoor Business Kent Ebersole (Moderator)

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

Cassie Abel

Wild Rye

Alejandro Guanaga

Outdoor Gear Revival

Josh Sims

The Gear Fix

The Philosophy Behind a Team That Stays: Hiring and Retention Strategies for Independent Retailers Chris Frangiosa

Megan Costello

VILD Consulting Group / TCO Fly Shop

Sorini Strategic Advisors LLC

Emily Vedaa

Columbia Sportswear Company

Andrew “Coach” Livingston

3:30 PM – 4:15 PM

Selling What Matters: Using Sustainability to Elevate the Customer Experience Rick Crawford

Emerger Strategies

Alex Lauver

Douglas Strategies

AI 101: What AI Can (And Can’t) Do for Specialty Retailers Leslie Leonard

Outdoor Equipped

Future-Proofing Your Retail Store: Apparel Merchandising Strategies That Drive Performance

The New Outdoors: Curating Product for the Lifestyle Consumer Kelly Davis (Moderator)

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

Kerri Olson

Piragis Northwoods Company

The Digital Backcountry: Safeguarding Your Business in the Trust Economy Peter Pawlus

REPatron

4:30 PM – 5:45 PM FEATURED FILM SCREENING & PANEL: Best Day Ever: A Blueprint for Building More Inclusive Outdoor Communities

Holly Wiese

3 Dots Design

Joe Jackson Switchback

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM CONFERENCE COFFEE BREAK

(Moderator)

Berne Broudy Best Day Ever

Greg Durso

Best Day Ever

Tuesday

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS Remarkable outdoor industry experts and thought leaders will take the main stage at Switchback Spring.

Put these special sessions on your must-attend list.

OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS.

TUESDAY, JUNE 16 / The New Orleans Theater B, Level 2, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM SPEAKER: Kelly Davis

Director of Research, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

Who’s Getting Outside: Participation Trends Shaping the Outdoor Market Outdoor participation continues to grow, creating new opportunities to strengthen the outdoor economy. In this session, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will share the latest insights into who’s getting outside, how people are participating, and what these trends mean for brands and retailers.

Drawing from OIA’s trusted research and business intelligence, this session will explore participation trends, demographic shifts, and the fastest growing outdoor activities—connecting the data to consumer behavior and spending. Attendees will gain actionable insights to help make informed decisions, better serve both core and casual outdoor participants, and translate participation growth into meaningful business impact.

As part of OIA’s work to champion equitable outdoor experiences that strengthen the outdoor industry, this session equips attendees with the data and insights needed to navigate a growing and evolving market.

4:30 PM – 5:45 PM MODERATOR: Joe Jackson

Marketing Manager, Switchback

FILM SCREENING & PANEL

Best Day Ever: A Blueprint for Building More Inclusive Outdoor Communities 45 MINUTE FILM SCREENING FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION

Join us for a screening of the award-winning short film Best Day Ever, followed by a conversation about ways the outdoor industry can move beyond intention and into action when it comes to outdoor access and inclusion.

SPEAKERS: Berne Broudy

Co-Director / Producer, Best Day Ever

Greg Durso

Adaptive Athlete / Associate Producer, Best Day Ever

The film follows adaptive riders Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi as they navigate life after spinal cord injuries with humor, grit, and independence, supported by a tight-knit Vermont trail community.

At its core, this isn’t just a story about adaptive trails and mountain biking; it’s a blueprint for building community and lowering barriers to entry in meaningful, lasting ways.

The panel will explore what it takes to create truly welcoming outdoor experiences, from trail systems and retail environments to product development—and how small, thoughtful changes can have an outsized impact on individuals and communities.

Expect an honest, interactive conversation designed to spark ideas, challenge assumptions, and leave attendees with tangible ways to build more inclusive outdoor spaces.

Popcorn, beer, and other refreshments will be served during the screening!

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 15

HAVE FUN AND CELEBRATE TOGETHER!

HOSTED BY:

OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS.

TUESDAY, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM JUNE 16 GENERATIONS HALL

16

Switchback Spring officially kicks off in New Orleans with an evening built for connection. Following the afternoon featured presentation, join the Switchback team for a short walk to Generations Hall – just minutes from the convention center – and step into one of the city’s most iconic venues.

Arrive to the sounds of a New Orleans–based brass band, followed by complimentary food, drinks, and a DJ as the outdoor industry comes together to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones. From retailers and exhibitors to media and partner organizations, the community will gather to raise a glass and set the tone for Switchback Spring.

Originally built in the 1820’s as a sugar refinery, Generations Hall blends historic New Orleans character with a modern atmosphere—setting the stage for a memorable night.

16 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

BUILDING A STRONGER OUTDOOR ECONOMY OIA champions the outdoors by protecting public lands, amplifying the industry’s voice in Washington, D.C., and delivering the insights, education, and tools outdoor businesses need to navigate change. We help brands, retailers, and suppliers operate more sustainably, adapt to shifting market conditions, and expand access to the outdoors, strengthening both the industry and the $1.3 trillion outdoor economy.

Join us at outdoorindustry.org

OIA_Ad_Switchback_Final.indd 1

4/17/26 4:53 PM SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 17

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 18

Wednesday

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS.

The New Orleans Theater B, Level 2, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

FEATURED SPEAKER:

Griffin Post The North Face

Breakfast will be served from 7:45 AM – 8:30 AM before the session begins.

PRESENTED BY:

PROTECTING OUR TERRAIN: ADVENTURE, RISK AND THE VALUE OF OUR PUBLIC LANDS

Griffin Post Professional Skier The North Face

Paul Hendricks

Executive Director The Conservation Alliance

Denise Anderson

Head of Marketing, AMER The North Face

POWERED BY:

What does it take to commit to a descent no one has skied before?

And what does it take to show up for the wild places that make that moment possible?

Join us for a powerful conversation on adventure, risk, and the shared responsibility our industry carries to safeguard the public lands and waters that sustain our businesses—and our lives.

Big mountain skier and The North Face athlete Griffin Post will share the story behind some of his most consequential career turns and what those moments taught him about preparation, decisiveness, and showing up when it matters most. From the Tetons to the Arctic Circle, Griffin has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible on snow, earning X-Games gold and building a career defined by athletic excellence and an unwavering commitment to the landscapes that make it all possible.

This conversation goes beyond storytelling, though.

Griffin will be joined by leaders from The Conservation Alliance and The North Face for a candid discussion about the state of our public lands in 2026—and how the outdoor industry can move from mission statements to meaningful action.

Come ready to be inspired and challenged to join the fight in protecting our public lands.

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 19

Want to connect with these brands in-person?

Wednesday, June 17 at 10:00 AM marks the opening of the 2026 exhibit hall! Explore the next few pages to get to know the brands exhibiting at Switchback Spring.

Click the link below to secure a pass!

REGISTER NOW www.switchbackevent.com/register

EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY Scan the QR code for the most up-to-date exhibitor list.

EXHIBITOR KEY:

Summit Sponsor

Booth #439, 539

Booth #839

Booth #639, 739 OFFICIAL EVENT PARTNER Outdoor Industry Association Booth #238 5.11 Inc. Booth #1334 Aarn Packs Booth #416 Akaso Tech LLC Booth #1313 Allover LLC Booth #304

Pathfinders Brand CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Partner Organization

Alpcour Booth #1316

BearVault Booth #1110

BloqUV Booth #1013

Alpine Fit Booth #312

Bellroy Trading Pty Limited Booth #411

Blundstone Booth #327

Altra Booth #821

Berghaus Booth #533

BOCO Gear Booth #506

Aparso Booth #1239

Bert Shoes Booth #308

Body Glide Booth #516

Apply Stickers Booth #1233

Bertucci Field Watches Booth #1118

Brightz, ltd.

Booth #107

Arc’teryx Booth #527

Better Wheel Workshops Booth #120

Business Oregon Booth #121

ASICS Booth #621

Big Sky International Booth #1001

Butt Napkins Booth #1113

Aull-DRY Booth #200

BioLite / Goal Zero Booth #401

Cascade Designs Booth #1227

Avalara Booth #1310

Bison Designs, LLC Booth #1034

Case Knives Booth #1111

Backpackers Pantry Booth #1142

Black Men Run - TURF Booth #104

Chaco Booth #717

20 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 21

EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY

Chubbies Booth #706

Eagles Nest Outfitters Booth #511

Cleanwaste Booth #1209

Elastic Suite Booth #910

Clif Bar Booth #718

ENDVR.io Booth #219

CLIQ | Kammok Booth #1106

Envoy B2B Booth #934

Cloudveil Mountainworks Booth #833

Escape Climbing Booth #1112

Coastal Range Equipment, Inc. Booth #309

EYEONIZE Booth #121

COCOON Booth #905 Coleman Booth #904 CORE Equipment Booth #1037 Cotopaxi Booth #921 Crazy Creek Products LLC Booth #1131 Crocs Booth #1019 CURREX | PowerStep Booth #517 Custom Batch Hats LLC (Tailgate Hats) Booth #1231 Dakini, Inc. Booth #1140 Dark Energy Booth #316 Darn Tough Booth #610 datefix Booth #113 Deaf Athletic Booth #212 Disc-o-bed Booth #1210 DKOTA GRIZZLY Booth #412 Dometic Booth #937 DrinkTanks Booth #121 Dry Brew Booth #418 DUER Booth #227

Farm to Summit Booth #305 Fjällräven Booth #521 FKT Gear Booth #313 Flabocce Booth #200 Flower Mountain Booth #105 Flowfold Booth #221 Flylow Gear Booth #100 FLYN Booth #221 Furnigami Booth #1208 GCI Outdoor Booth #1221 Gear Envie, Inc Booth #303 GiantMouse Knives Booth #1005 GORE-TEX® Brand Booth #339 Grand Trunk Booth #815 GRIVEL CORP. Booth #1335 GSI Outdoors, LLC Booth #801 Guntersville Breathables; frogg toggs Booth #404 Halfdays Booth #201 heat it US LLC Booth #1007 Helle Norway Booth #1101

22 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

Hispanic Access Foundation Booth #108 Hollow Socks Booth #510

Loon’r Booth #203 Lorpen Booth #1101

Hults Bruk Booth #1104

Lucky Eleven Brands – Sling Bottle and Sandebag Booth #1011

HydraPak Booth #707

Luxefly Basecamp Booth #1135

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Booth #301

Maine Outdoor Brands Booth #221

Ignik Outdoors Booth #1000

Marmot Mountain Booth #827

Instent Home of Vitabri Booth #1327

Merrell Booth #439, 539

Jack and Sage Booth #400

MeUndies Booth #130

Jungmaven Booth #206

Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund Booth #200

JUNK Brands Booth #1321 KingCamp Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. Booth #1234

Mimikai Booth #608 Minimal Gear Booth #1116

Kitworks Booth #121

Minus 33 Merino Wool Booth #232

Komperdell Sportartikel GmbH Booth #210

Mobile Warming Booth #1004

Kuma Outdoor Gear Booth #127

Moment & Long Weekend Booth #900

Land of Outsiders (Michigan Outdoors) Booth #200

Morakniv Booth #1101

Leave No Trace Booth #106

Mountain and Isles, LLC Booth #1137

Lectric Boil Booth #200

Mountain Equipment/ Bridgedale Booth #911

Lems Shoes Booth #421

Mountain Hardwear Booth #601

LGBTQ+ Outdoors Booth #110

Mountain House Booth #805

Liberty Mountain Booth #1101

MUNICIPAL APPAREL COMPANY, LLC Booth #434

Life is Good Booth #427 LifeStraw Booth #501 Lightspeed Commerce Inc. Booth #1041 Locally Booth #1217 Lock Laces Booth #138

MuskOx Booth #408 My Medic Booth #1206 Mykos Footwear / LâMO Booth #810 Nalgene Booth #1101 Near Zero Booth #216

Newell Brands Booth #1117

Rite in the Rain Booth #1010

Nikon Inc Booth #834

ROARK Booth #1127

Nite Ize, Inc. Booth #927

Rocky Brands / Xtratuf Booth #407

Nokta Engineering Inc Booth #1305

Rugged Road Outdoors Booth #619

NuuSol Booth #121

Rumpl Booth #701

Ocean Bottle Limited Booth #1235

Rustek Booth #121

Opinel Booth #1230

Salewa Booth #915

OS1st Booth #806

SallyeAnder Booth #1017

Outdoor Cap Booth #1317

Salty Britches Booth #205

Outdoor Element Booth #217

Sandboxx Group (Reef Suncare) Booth #113

SPRINTS Funner Gear Booth #317

Toad & Co Booth #617

Stio Booth #727

Travoca USA LLC Booth #117

Strike Footwear Booth #213

TreeSleeve Booth #120

Strike Visuals Booth #109

UCO Booth #1139

Sun Company, Inc. Booth #126

Ultraspire Booth #935

Sunday Afternoons Booth #133

UNIFI Manufacturing, Inc. Booth #112

Sunski Booth #1014

Ursack Booth #1306

Suunto Booth #616

UYN Booth #914

SAOLA USA INC Booth #931

SWOOP Booth #211

Valor Skincare Booth #200

Outpatch Booth #310

SCARPA Booth #607

Symbiosis Gear Booth #306

Vermont Outdoor Businesses Booth #120

PACKFIRE Booth #711

Science In Sport Booth #207

Ten Thousand Booth #134

Vibram FiveFingers Booth #332

Parks Project Booth #932

Sea to Summit Booth #1121

Tenaya Booth #1101

VIONIC Booth #208

Pertex Booth #1238

Secrid BV Booth #1047

tentree Booth #433

Waboba, Inc. Booth #1213

Pika Outdoors Booth #307

Sherpa Adventure Gear Booth #606

TEREN Booth #410

Washington Shoe Company Booth #101

Ponyflo® by David & Young Booth #128

Shibumi Shade Booth #1301

Teva Booth #633

Wild Tribute Booth #507

Prepared Hero Booth #1207

SHOKZ Booth #321

Thacker Booth #716

WildBatch Booth #302

Primus Booth #1101

Sidas USA Booth #218

THE GEOPROJECT Booth #710

Wondery Outdoors Booth #735

PyreLogs Booth #1023

Silva Booth #1101

The Landmark Project Booth #811

Woolloomooloo Shoe, LLC Booth #712

rabbit Booth #901

Singing Rock Booth #1101

The North Face Booth #639, 739

World Famous Sports Booth #1329

Rallyware for Retail Booth #1236

Skida Booth #120

Xero Shoes Booth #1216

RecPak Booth #311

Smartwool Booth #721

The SG Companies – Salt Life / RS Booth #233

RICS Software Booth #1312

Snow Peak Booth #839

Ripstop By The Roll Booth #1211

Sol Sister Sport Booth #209

Ripton Co Booth #417

Snowshoe Leather Care Booth #121

Outdoor Industry Association Booth #238

The Vision Council Foundation Booth #139 Thread Booth #1030 Timber Ridge Booth #1201

YY Nation Booth #613 Zenone Poles Booth #335 Zensah Booth #140 Zippo Manufacturing Company Booth #1107

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 23

EXHIBIT HALL FLOOR PLAN

140 138

Visit Switchback and OIA team members at Booth #238.

238

239 338

134

339

439

539

639

433

533

633

335 434 133 232

233 332

126

127

227

327

427

527

627

120

121

221

321

421

521

621

130 128

218

219

418

116

117

216

217

316

317 416

112

113

212

213

312

313 412

110

111

210

211

310

311

108

109 208

209 308

309 408

106

107 206

207 306

307

104

105

205 304

305 404

203 302

303

201 300

301 400

100

101

200

410

417

411

516

510

517 616

511

619

718

617

716

613

712

610

710

608 407 506

507 606

607 706

401

501

601

HALL H Lobby Entrance

1041 739

839

937

1139 1238 1037 1136

735 834

934

1240

935 1034

1239

1137 1236 1135 1234

833 932

1235 1334

1335

1233 1332 931 1030

Trailheads Theater

1131 1230 1329

727

827

1027

927

1127

1227

1327

1121

1221

1321

1017 1116

1117 1216

1217 1316

1317

1013 1112

1113

1213 1312

1313

1011 1110

1111 1210

1211 1310

1311

1208

1209 1308

1309

1107 1206

1207 1306

1307

Snag

a Bag !

1023 721

821

921 1019 1118

717 815

711

810

811

914

910

PARTICIPATING BRANDS:

*AS OF MAY 2026

915 1014

911

1010

707 806

701

All Switchback retail attendees will receive a bag filled with participating brands’ products and giveaways. They’ll be available for pickup near the registration area at the Convention Center.

1007 1106 805 904

905 1004

1005 1104

801 900

901 1000

1001

Be sure to grab

your official Switchback Spring 2026 shirt, provided by Life is Good.

1305

1101

1201

1301

There is a lactation room available near the exhibit hall entrance. Onsite signage will be available for clear direction.

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 25

EXHIBIT HALL FEATURED AREAS

The Product Spotlight is a showcase of the latest innovations from a mix of outdoor industry brands. Stop by to check out what’s new and then visit the brands’ booths to learn more about each product.

Preview some of the goods you’ll find in this year’s Product Spotlight below.

PARTICIPATING BRANDS INCLUDE: *AS OF MAY 2026

Agility Peak 6

Home and Camp Burner

HIKE ULTRALIGHT Coolmax® Performance Fit

BV ONE Adjustable Bear Canister

Merrell Booth #439, 539

Snow Peak Booth #839

Bridgedale Booth #911

BearVault Booth #1110

Moab 3 Mid WP Merrell Booth #439, 539

Titanium Double Wall 450 Mug Snow Peak Booth #839

Mountain Equipment Booth #911

CORE Climakeep® 18 Can Soft Cooler with MagSnap™ CORE Equipment Booth #1037

Moab Speed 2 GTX

Tabiki Fire and Grill

TUPILAK 37+

Silvertip Drift Boat Shoe

Merrell Booth #439, 539

Snow Peak Booth #839

Mountain Equipment Booth #911

Strike Footwear Booth #213

26 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

TRANSCEND 24

Discover CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Created in partnership with Garage Grown Gear and Founded Outdoors, Pathfinders is a new, special section of the Switchback Spring exhibit hall dedicated to a curated collection of retail-ready young brands.

Many new, emerging brands don’t yet have the scale, time, or visibility to show up at major trade events on their own. Yet so often, these brands are offering the most innovative products in the outdoor market. With support from Garage Grown Gear and Founded Outdoors, Pathfinders brands will exhibit at Switchback Spring in a special section dedicated to these emerging brands.

Pathfinders will feature the following brands:

*AS OF MAY 2026

Booth #304

Booth #305

Booth #301

Booth #307

Booth #312

Booth #313

Booth #203

Booth #211

Booth #308

Booth #303

Booth #310

Booth #306

Booth #309

Booth #209

Booth #311

Booth #302

For us, it’s about supporting our brands in their growth. Part of that growth is finding new wholesale and retail partners, and Switchback is a national platform where buyers are looking for new and interesting things.

– Lloyd Vogel, Founder & CEO, Garage Grown Gear

Tailheads Feature

“Why Garage Grown Gear Is Betting on Small Brands and Switchback” READ THE STORY

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 27

DAY ONE

Theater

Presentations

THESE SESSIONS ARE OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS.

The Trailheads Theater is a unique, open space built for learning and connection with a focus on broader outdoor industry trends, insights, and opportunities. Designed with all industry members in mind, each session blends compelling storytelling with timely conversations led by thought leaders and industry experts.

These presentations will inspire positive action and change in local communities and across the outdoor industry.

PREVIEW THE TRAILHEADS THEATER LINEUP:

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 | 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM | BOOTH #1027 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

How Emerging Outdoor Brands and Retailers Win Together

Beyond Gorpcore: Trends, Values, and Experiences Defining the Future of Functional Fashion

Moving the Outdoor Culture Off-Road: Community Building as a Bridge to a Stronger Industry

Presented by Founded Outdoors

Katie Doherty (Moderator)

Presented by Black Men Run Trail & Ultra Running Fanatics (TURF)

Kellyn Wilson (Moderator) TOGS

Founded Outdoors

Molly Hanks Doyle Title Nine

Amy Maugeri Gear Envie, Inc.

Virginia Lynn Peterson SWOOP

Lloyd Vogel

Garage Grown Gear

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Expanding Outdoor Access to Sustain Growth: A Framework for Brands, Retailers, and Communities Presented by Outdoor Foundation

Lesford Duncan

Outdoor Foundation

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

From Access to Action: Federal Policy and the Future of Outdoor Recreation Presented by Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

Charles Cooper (Moderator) Brumidi Group

Adam Cramer Outdoor Alliance

Pitt Grewe All Trails

Alicia Harvie REI Co-op

28 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

Michael Anderson Snow Peak USA

Tommie Runz (Moderator) Creator

Gene Han

Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co. / WeekEnds

Jeff Armstrong Sr. Black Men Run

Anya Miller

Mountain Hardwear

Lusire Boyd Sr. Black Men Run

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Taking a Stand: Assessing Risk and Reward in Speaking Out for Our Public Lands and Waters Presented by The Conservation Alliance

Bill Hodge (Co-Host) Wild Idea Media

Anders Reynolds (Co-Host) The Wilderness Land Trust

Paul Hendricks

The Conservation Alliance

Jennifer McLaren Altra

Dawn Mancini Moyer Fenix Outdoor

Watch a live recording of The Wild Idea podcast, hosted by Bill Hodge and Anders Reynolds

Oscar Camejo

Black Men Run - TURF

Onyanga Dean

Black Men Run - TURF

Duane Goulbourne Black Men Run - TURF

4:45 PM – 5:30 PM

Switchback Partner Social Join us at the Trailheads Theater to get to know Switchback’s partner organizations.

Switchback Partner Social

EXHIBIT HALL BOOTH #1027

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM

Join us at the Trailheads Theater for Switchback’s first-ever Partner Social: a celebration dedicated to organizations driving meaningful change across the outdoor industry.

Food & drinks will be served.

Meet the people behind the mission-driven work making our industry better: the advocates, educators, conservationists, entrepreneurs, and community builders who are expanding “who” belongs in the outdoors and how we can show up for the places we love, together. From protecting public lands to breaking barriers for underrepresented communities, our partners represent a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient outdoor industry.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter of these organizations or want to learn about the work they do, we invite you to join us at the Partner Social. Participants will walk away with fresh connections and new perspectives to move the outdoors—and the industry—forward.

EXHIBIT HALL Food & drinks will be served.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

We’ll close out the first trade show day with an Exhibit Hall Happy Hour! Expect a lively show floor with interactive activations, delicious snacks, and a variety of drinks to keep the celebrations going.

PARTICIPATING BRANDS INCLUDE:

*AS OF MAY 2026

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 29

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

30 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

THURSDAY, JUNE 18 6:45 AM – 7:45 AM AUDUBON PARK

Food & drinks will be served.

Thank You to Morning Walk Title Sponsor

Start your day the Switchback way!

Join Switchback at the Morning Walk: an early start designed to get participants outside, moving, and connected before heading to the exhibit hall.

Open to all, this guided walk (or run!) takes place at Audubon Park, one of New Orleans’ most iconic outdoor spaces. Shuttles will depart from the Hall H Lobby of the convention center and bring you straight to the park, home to the Audubon Loop and a canopy of historic live oak trees.

Once at the park, move at your own pace—walk, run, or explore alongside your peers. After, enjoy a light breakfast and coffee while connecting with participating brands at their displays.

MORNING WALK

EXPLORE AUDUBON PARK: The Audubon Loop features a dirt trail stretching over two miles around the park’s perimeter. Surrounded by more than 2,000 trees, the route offers a scenic start to your day. TIP: Keep an eye out for local birds like egrets, herons, cormorants, and ahingas.

MORNING WALK

Brand Displays

Details:

6:00 AM Meet in the Hall H Lobby of the convention center

ONSITE AT AUDUBON PARK

New for 2026, spend time with brands outside of the exhibit hall during the Morning Walk and test products in a real outdoor environment.

PARTICIPATING BRANDS INCLUDE:

6:15 AM Shuttles begin departing The park is approximately a 20-minute drive away

7:00 AM The walk will start promptly Grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches & coffee will be provided after the walk

7:45 AM Return shuttles begin departing *As of May 2026

Find a special cooling neck gaiter during the shuttle ride to the park, courtesy of:

8:00 AM Arrive back to the convention center SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 31

DAY TWO

Theater

Presentations

THESE SESSIONS ARE OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS.

Keep the learning going with another day of Trailheads Theater presentations.

PREVIEW THE TRAILHEADS THEATER LINEUP:

THURSDAY, JUNE 18 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM | BOOTH #1027 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

The Trail Boom—and Who It’s Leaving Behind

A Prescription for Growth and Community with The Great Malden Outdoors Rx Pilot

The Durability Strategy: Profitability, Trust, and the Long Game

Presented by Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC)

Abigail Hollie (Moderator)

First Seed Sown Sales and Marketing

Julie Brown (Moderator)

Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC)

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Arthur Blue

State Outdoor Alliances: Supporting Advocacy and Building Local Economies

35 North

Karla Estudillo Fuentes

Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC)

Presented by Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

Darren “DJ” Josey

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

Matt Powell

Spurwink River

Presented by State Outdoor Business Alliance Network

Chris Speyer

Mountain Equipment Company (MEC)

Jonathan Jarosz (Moderator) Jenna Klein Jonsson

Megan Stoneburner

Land of Outsiders

MCS Sustainable Solutions

Blaze Partners

Jahmicah Dawes

Kerry Summers

Slim Pickins Outfitters

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Color Stories: Shaping Consumer Connections to Products

Carleigh Garrett

Skida Headwear and Accessories

Heidi Prior

Carrie Hill

WVU Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative

Rumpl

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

W.L. Gore & Associates

Mike Wallenfels

“I enjoyed the educational sessions and the industry research shared was valuable to share with our company.”

Oregon Outdoor Alliance

Brand Experiences That Protect the Places We Love Presented by Leave No Trace

Matt Schneider Leave No Trace

Hear From Switchback Spring 2025 Attendees: 32 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

“The conference organizers did a great job selecting the educational sessions and topics as well as lining up an amazing slate of exhibitors. Well done all the way around and making this a worthwhile conference for retailers and brands in this space.”

“Switchback brings something different to the world of outdoor gear conferences. Between the education and fantastic exhibit floor of brands, it’s a worthy event to spend a few days at!”

k c a b h c t i w S Produced by

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 33

Discover Subscribe to

Trailheads and access content that speaks directly to the goals, needs, and challenges of outdoor specialty retailers, brands, and organizations.

SUBSCRIBE Produced by Switchback, Trailheads stories are delivered weekly at www.switchbackevent.com/ trailheads and via a monthly newsletter.

From in-store merchandising and staff training to brand partnerships, product trends and industry updates, Trailheads delivers practical, timely insights from the people who know outdoor specialty best.

34 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

Produced by Switchback WHAT’S TRENDING WITH READERS Why Public Lands and Why Now: RE:PUBLIC Executive Director Chris Keyes on existential threats, untapped coalitions, and how outdoor retailers can maximize their influence.

From ‘Seconds’ to Summits: Built on local farms, rescued produce, and a tight-knit Durango community, Farm to Summit is growing thoughtfully through independent outdoor retailers.

The Middle is Getting Lighter: As more consumers chase ultralight without the trade-offs, brands are building “bridge” products, and retailers have a key role in getting the experience right.

MORE STORIES

Tariff Policy Update: Navigating the Latest Trade Regulations with Outdoor Industry Association

The Soul of the Sale: How The Backpacker Inspires Louisiana Locals to Explore

Outdoor Industry Association breaks down the latest tariff policy changes, refund challenges, and what outdoor brands and retailers need to...

Inside The Backpacker in Baton Rouge, owner Michael Mathews shares how adventure, leadership...

Shifting with the Tides: The 50-Year Evolution of Louisiana’s Massey’s Outfitters

Breaking Trail: How the Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside Program Improves Community Access to Nature

From baseball diamonds to bayou adventures, Massey’s Outfitters has spent 50 years...

Discover how the Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside initiative is expanding access to nature...

SWITCHBACK

ROADSHOW

n erso p n i lers oor specialty retai d t u o t i s i v In 2024 h a t i m i o s s t w i o n , the Trailheads team launched the Switchback Roadshow As event organizers, the team knows that sometimes the best insights come from face-to-face, candid conversations; from being inside stores and learning first-hand from retailers themselves. The visits give the team a better understanding of what outdoor specialty retailers are facing in their day to day, which has sparked countless story ideas for Trailheads and inspired some of the educational content you’ll find at Switchback Spring.

.

Foster Outdoor Porltand, OR Varsity Sports New Orleans, LA

The Backpacker Baton Rouge, LA

Since the Switchback Roadshow began, the team has visited specialty retailers in Tennessee, North Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire, Louisiana, and Oregon. Follow Trailheads for more store spotlights, real-world insights, and lessons from the field as the Roadshow continues!

WASH IN

GTON

READ THE TRAILHEADS STORY FROM THE LOUISIANA EDITION OF THE ROADSHOW: “The Soul of the Sale: How The Backpacker Inspires Louisiana Locals to Explore”

Interested in being part of the Roadshow?

Let the team know at: trailheads@switchbackevent.com

MEET THE Editors Marcus Woolf

Marcus is an outdoor industry journalist and editor with 30 years of experience. He’s the former editor of Outdoor Retailer Magazine and contributor to leading trade and consumer publications including SNEWS and Gear Trends. When he’s not reporting on the industry, Marcus enjoys spending time in nature with his wife.

Read Article

Joe Jackson

Joe has spent over 25 years in the outdoor industry spanning guiding, retail, media, and more. As a former editor at Paddler, Canoe & Kayak, and Outside, he served as the longtime Gear Guy. When he’s not writing about gear and the industry, Joe enjoys spending time outdoors with his daughter.

Now, Joe is Switchback’s new marketing manager!

Amelia Arvesen

Amelia Arvesen is an independent journalist in Portland, Oregon who has worked in the outdoor industry since 2018, first as an editor at SNEWS and now with publications like Outside, Backpacker, Trails, and Field Mag. Through her writing, she explores the intersection of humans and their environments— whether they’re on the trail or in their studios. This year she’s researching how wool became a performance textile through her newsletter, Honing Her Craft. She loves to run, climb, cook, and sew.

The Conservation Alliance is the leading business coalition for conservation. Uniting companies across industries, perspectives, and geographies, they harness the collective power of their members to protect lands and waters for future generations. The Conservation Alliance pairs corporate advocacy with funding for grassroots action on the ground. Investing in The Conservation Alliance is not only an investment in protecting the resources businesses depend on, it’s a way to strengthen the outdoor economy and ensure long-term business resilience.

Since its founding in 1989, The Conservation Alliance and its members have: • Helped protect over 125 million acres of land and nearly 5,000 river miles by advocating for common-sense policies • Granted $34.5 million to local groups to improve and protect critical landscapes across the country

Brands for Public Lands is a coalition of businesses, led by The Conservation Alliance, that is

strategically focused on building a collective defense against the significant, current threats to the public lands system. This coalition currently comprises over 170 companies headquartered in 30 states representing varying industries and interests – from outdoor apparel and gear, to media, retailers, and tourism. Collectively, the group represents over 72,000 employees and over $20 billion in revenue.

Click here to learn more about Brands for Public Lands.

Featured Article What Does it Look Like When an Industry Decides, Collectively, that it’s Time to Stand Up? PUBLIC LANDS ARE THE FOUNDATION on which the outdoor industry was built. They are the places where we test our products, where our stories originate, and where outdoor communities are built. According to Paul Hendricks, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance, the scale and speed of the threats to public lands right now is unlike anything the industry has faced before.

“We’ve seen just an all-out attempt across all 36 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA branches of our government to open up our

Now is the time for advocacy if we want to protect the lands that drive our industry.

By Joe Jackson, Switchback Marketing Manager

public lands to extractive industries,” he said. “It’s not flood the zone anymore. It’s a tidal wave, then another tidal wave, then SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 36 another.”

Featured Article

The shift from isolated threats to systemic ones is what makes the need for advocacy immediate.

In the past, advocacy often looked like defending individual landscapes, one at a time. Now, the stakes are broader. As Hendricks described, the “underpinnings of our public land system are being wiped out,” from the weakening of cornerstone legislation to the dismantling of long-standing management frameworks. Policies that once felt foundational are being treated as optional.

Agencies are being reshaped.

Safeguards are being stripped back. Perhaps most significantly, it’s all happening at a pace designed to overwhelm. In a recent webinar hosted by Switchback “Lay of the Land: Protecting Our Public Lands and Waters,” leaders from The Conservation Alliance and RE:PUBLIC noted a convergence of forces pushing toward accelerated extraction policies, reduced agency capacity, and eroding legal guardrails that once protected our public lands. Together, they represent a redefinition of how public lands are valued and managed. It would be easy, in the face of that, to feel paralyzed and assume the problem is too large, too complex, or too political.

The goal of this article isn’t to bum you out, though. There is good news. The outdoor industry is uniquely positioned to respond to these threats because it sits at the intersection of culture, economy, and access. It also represents a strong political force if we speak up and work together.

“We need businesses to use their voice,” Hendricks said.

“Advocacy, at its most basic form, is standing up for what you believe in.” That might sound simple, but in practice it represents a meaningful shift. For decades, many brands and retailers have been cautious about stepping into advocacy, concerned about alienating customers or wading into perceived political territory.

But the framing around public lands is evolving and perhaps returning to something more fundamental.

Public lands are not a niche issue. They are, as Hendricks put it, “the great equalizer.” They are where Americans hunt, fish, hike, ride, climb, and gather. That cross section of enthusiasts runs across political, geographic, and economic lines. That equality matters because one of the most persistent misconceptions about conservation is that it belongs to one side of the political spectrum.

In reality, the constituency for public lands is far broader. It includes backcountry skiers and RV travelers, anglers and climbers, small-town outfitters, and global brands. It also includes the customers walking into independent retail shops every day.

For retailers, the connection to public lands is not abstract.

It’s daily. It’s the customer walking in for trail shoes before a weekend in the mountains. It’s the fly angler gearing up for a trip. It’s the family asking where to camp in your local region.

The health of those places is directly tied to the health of the business.

Continued SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 37

Featured Article

In the face of this potentially existential threat, Kent Ebersole, President of Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), sees the industry’s greatest strength in its willingness to come together and solve problems collectively. “No other industry comes together and says, ‘We need to solve a problem like this,’” he said, pointing to gatherings like Switchback and the OIA Rendezvous as catalysts for that kind of action.

One of the most consistent themes across these big-picture advocacy conversations is that no single brand, retailer, or organization can meet this moment alone. But together, the outdoor industry represents a powerful, unified voice. Public sentiment around protecting lands and waters is at historic highs. Americans value access to public lands across political lines. They’re more than just recreational spaces; our public lands are a part of the country’s identity.

That collective muscle is being reawakened on a macro scale. At recent industry gatherings, Ebersole described a palpable shift from passive concern to active urgency. Leaders weren’t just discussing issues; they were calling for action. Public lands rose to the top of that list, not as an abstract value, but as a core pillar of the industry’s future.

Now is the time for action. We invite you to use Switchback Spring as the place to strengthen your resolve, increase your current levels of knowledge and advocacy, or find a place to use your voice.

This in-person, national gathering creates a unique opportunity for the outdoor industry to align and figure out how we want to take action together.

Importantly, that call is no longer aimed solely at big brands. “Retailers are the local army,” Ebersole said. “They have the ability to deploy at the local and regional level like nobody else can.” That insight reframes advocacy from something distant to something immediate. A one-door shop in a rural town may not see itself as a policy player, but to an elected official, that business represents jobs, community, and votes. “You say small business and they care,” Ebersole noted. “It’s an economic driver and they know it.”

That action does not need to be complicated. “If every single attendee walked away and said, ‘I’m going to take action on one thing,’ think about the difference that would make,” Ebersole said. Multiply one action across an entire show floor, and it starts to look really powerful. It looks like momentum.

38 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

That momentum will be just what our industry needs to face the next tidal wave.

Together.

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 39

Official Event Partner

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a member-based collective of business leaders, climate experts, policymakers, and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth while protecting – and expanding access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone.

VISIT OIA AT BOOTH #238 Stop by to say hello,

pick up helpful resources, or simply take a moment to relax.

This partnership confirms that attending Switchback is an investment in the future of the outdoor industry. Our board and membership are eager for a cornerstone national event that delivers value across all sectors and is held bi-annually at optimal times in spring and fall to meet the needs of the industry’s go-to-market process.

– KENT EBERSOLE, PRESIDENT, OIA

OIA’s early endorsement of Switchback was incredibly valuable for the debut event, and their expanded role is a key component in shaping and growing Switchback to best support and grow the overall outdoor industry.

In 2024, Switchback and OIA entered into a strategic partnership designed to strengthen the impact and effectiveness of the event. Since then, the partnership has deepened to support broader, industry-wide goals. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the outdoor industry and setting it up for long-term growth.

Through the partnership, OIA and Switchback collaborate closely to shape the event’s future while ensuring it reflects the needs of the outdoor industry. As the Official Event Partner, OIA collaborates with Switchback to: CONTRIBUTE industry data to support informed conversations, programming, and decision-making.

SHAPE educational goals and key event elements.

– CHRISTINA HENDERSON, VICE PRESIDENT, DIVERSIFIED (SWITCHBACK PARENT COMPANY)

Click here to learn more about the partnership.

STRENGTHEN connections with OIA members and industry thought leaders.

SUPPORT initiatives that encourage collaboration and advance the outdoor industry.

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 40

Partner Organizations THANK YOU to our PARTNERS

Strong partnerships drive the success of Switchback and the broader outdoor industry.

Switchback Spring partner organizations guide the event’s initiatives, education, and more through expertise, insights, and leadership. While in New Orleans, connect with these organizations and learn more about their work, which is driving meaningful change across the outdoor community.

1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. They inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental partners through membership and everyday actions. They make environmental giving easy and effective through partnership advising, impact storytelling and third-party certification.

American Trail Running Association (ATRA) was formed in mid-1996 as a Colorado not for profit corporation to serve the mountain, ultra & trail (MUT) running community. Their mission is to represent and promote mountain, ultra & trail running, offering individual, club, race and corporate memberships. A primary benefit is their quarterly newsletter, Trail Times, which includes a national events calendar, thoughtful articles, and timely information about the sport.

SEE PAGE 29 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

SWITCHBACK’S FIRST-EVER

Partner Social!

Big City Mountaineers (BCM) bring the transformative power of time spent in nature to a generation of young people who face increased barriers to outdoor access, as well as other systemic challenges in their lives. A BCM experience helps youth better connect with themselves, with nature, with their community, and with a sense of joy. By providing free, fully outfitted, and professionally led outdoor and backcountry trips, BCM gives youth ages 12 to 18 meaningful opportunities to strengthen their skills, their mental and physical health, their socialemotional well being, and help them become better stewards of our planet.

Black Men Run-TURF is for the runners that like to get off-road, occasionally put in super long miles, and don’t mind busting their asses every once in a while. Trail and ultrarunning requires a special kind of crazy, and they want to continue to build upon this amazing community.

The Conservation Alliance (TCA) protects outdoor spaces and wild places through the collective power of their member companies.

Members’ annual contributions go directly to TCA’s grants program.

Each year, member companies select community-focused grantees across North America who are committed to creating a healthy, livable planet for all. Conservation today creates jobs, helps local communities, addresses climate change, and provides for future generations.

Founded Outdoors: Entrepreneurs need specific skill sets, industry knowledge, and professional connections to drive business growth.

Historically, however, access to these resources has been limited based on demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic factors. Alongside their partners, Founded Outdoors is building support – programming, community, mentorship, and financing – to make it possible for entrepreneurs from all different backgrounds to build successful companies.

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 41

Partner Organizations

Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) connects Latinos and others with partners and opportunities to improve lives and create an equitable society.

One day, every Latino in America will enjoy good physical health and a healthy natural environment, a high-quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their community with the sum of improving the future of America.

Leave No Trace (LNT) accomplishes its mission by providing innovative education, skills, research and science to help people care for the outdoors.

By working with the public and those managing public lands, LNT focuses on educating people—instead of costly restoration programs or access restrictions—as the most effective and least resource-intensive solution to land protection.

LGBTQ Outdoors’ mission is connecting the LGBTQIA+ community to the outdoors and to one another. They strive to create a national network of inclusive outdoor spaces and community-based chapters that foster environments of safety, connection, and belonging. By promoting and advocating for queer inclusion in the outdoor industry, they aim to increase representation and support, strengthening connections within our community and fostering a love for the outdoors.

42 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

Outdoor Diversity Alliance (ODA) helps outdoor companies grow with purpose and move from self driven, internal diversity, equity and inclusion work to shared, collective action. They listen to and pay underrepresented communities and support the development of authentic relationships by helping outdoor companies and underrepresented communities connect. They bring best practices forward and work together to build a prosperous and thriving industry.

Outdoor Foundation is dedicated to getting people outside for their health, the health of communities and the health of the outdoor industry.

Through community investment and groundbreaking research, they work with partners across the country to address equity barriers and help make the outdoors accessible for all.

Outdoor Market Alliance (OMA), founded in 2020, is a non-profit supporting community-driven initiatives and the independent rep model. Representing 25 agencies and over 175 brands across the Rockies, OMA provides showroom and meeting space for collaboration while promoting environmental stewardship, diversity, and inclusion in the outdoor industry.

Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in October 2020 as an educational organization with a mission that extends beyond running. Dedicated to championing transformative change within the sport, the RIDC partners with brands, race events, retailers, and run clubs to ignite unparalleled advancements for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color in the running industry.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOBAN AT WWW.SOBAN.ORG

Building stronger outdoor economies— state by state.

The State Outdoor Business Alliance Network (SOBAN) is a national learning network made up of 24 state outdoor business alliances – from Alaska and New Mexico to North Carolina and Maine – along with two industry groups in British Columbia.

Founded in 2019, SOBAN works to advance a shared vision for the outdoor economy: one that supports strong local businesses, protects outdoor places, and expands access to outdoor experiences for all.

Switchback and SOBAN have partnered to bring greater visibility to emerging outdoor brands and strengthen connections with outdoor specialty retailers. The partnership bridges local innovation with national reach, bringing together retailers, brands, and state organizations in one place.

Together, the goal is simple: support business growth at the state level while creating new pathways to do business.

SWITCHBACK STATE SHOWCASES Switchback State Showcases feature regional brands from across the country. Supported by their state alliances, this group of Switchback exhibitors is expanding distribution and building relationships with the outdoor industry.

STOP BY THE STATE SHOWCASES IN THE EXHIBIT HALL: *As of May 2026

Maine

Michigan

BOOTH #200

BOOTH #221

MAINE OUTDOOR BRANDS:

LAND OF OUTSIDERS:

• FLYN • Flowfold • Sambob • Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation

• Lectric Boil • Valor Skincare • Flabocce • Aull-Dry • Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund

Oregon

Vermont

BOOTH #121

BUSINESS OREGON:

BOOTH #120

• KITWORKS • Rustek • Eyeonize • Snowshoe Leather Care • NuuSol • DrinkTanks • Oregon Outdoor Alliance • Athletic & Outdoor (Prosper Portland) • Bend Outdoor Worx

VERMONT OUTDOOR BUSINESSES:

• Skida • TreeSleeves

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 43

From the team at OIA

OFFICIAL EVENT PARTNER

Meet the OIA Leaders Speaking at Switchback Spring —and What They’re Excited to Share

We’re really excited to partner with Switchback and bring OIA’s work directly into the outdoor specialty retail community. This year’s education is focused on the issues that matter most right now: how we navigate trade uncertainty, protect public lands, grow participation, and build stronger, more sustainable businesses. I’m looking forward to being in New Orleans and having these conversations together.”

– KENT EBERSOLE, PRESIDENT, OIA

Participation in outdoor recreation is growing, and the influx of new participants is impacting the outdoor market. I’m looking forward to telling everyone how much the participant base grew and changed in 2025, and the profound effect it has on how we design and market products. Come to this session if you are hungry for the latest data on the outdoor participant base, including details on specific activities, demographic shifts, and frequency of participation across 51 outdoor activities.”

– KELLY DAVIS, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, OIA

I can’t wait to attend Switchback Spring in New Orleans. This year’s education program is one you don’t want to miss. I’m looking forward to discussing product durability with industry experts from across the value chain. Attendees will leave with a fresh perspective, actionable insights, and a clearer picture of what it can look like when the industry works together to make products last longer.”

– JULIE BROWN, SR. DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT, OIA

Are you a media professional interested in covering Switchback?

Click here to apply for a press pass.

at Switchback Spring Media is a key piece of Switchback Spring, and the event will again welcome qualified editors, writers, reporters, and creators representing publications and channels across the outdoor industry and beyond. To the right is a sampling of the outlets already registered for Switchback Spring.

For the most up-to-date media list, visit

www.switchbackevent.com/media-list

Gear Abby GearJunkie Treeline Review Outdoor Empire Outside Magazine Popular Mechanics Tennessee Valley Outsider The Parks Podcast The Trek Wirecutter

FOR MEDIA CONTACT DETAILS, EMAIL SWITCHBACK’S PRESS CONTACT: INFO@SWITCHBACKEVENT.COM. 44 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

o t e d i u G

!

A L O N o Welcome t

Dining Mother’s Restaurant CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT | $ CLASSIC NEW ORLEANS

This brief guide will help you discover some of New Orleans’ best food, music, and outdoor spaces.

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, evening entertainment, or a spot to get some exercise in, here are a few local favorites:

Cafe du Monde FRENCH QUARTER | $ CAFÉ & DESSERT

A local favorite serving po’boys, gumbo, jambalaya, and other staples, this is a quick, casual spot where you can’t go wrong.

An iconic stop famous for powdered-sugar-covered beignets and café au lait, this is perfect for an early morning coffee or late-night sweet treat.

Peche Seafood Grill

Urban South Brewery

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT | $$ SEAFOOD

Specializing in open-hearth cooking and fresh oysters, this resturant is great for group dinners and trying the local catch.

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT | $$ CRAFT BREWERY

Known for creative beers and a spacious taproom, this brewery is great for casual meetups with a rotating lineup of brews.

o t e d i u G

Entertainment Ultimate Swamp Adventures WESTWEGO | $$ SWAMP & WILDLIFE

Outdoor Trails & Parks Two Rivers Park MOONWALK RIVERFRONT PARK & WOLDENBERG PARK

One of the closest swamp tours to New Orleans, offering airboat and covered boat options into the bayou with alligator sightings and Cajun guides.

A scenic riverfront promenade ready for a morning run or casual walk along the river with passing steamboats.

Kayak-iti-Yat Tours

New Orleans City Park

BAYOU ST. JOHN | $$ KAYAK TOURS

Paddle through Bayou St. John on a guided kayak tour, passing historic homes and lush scenery just minutes from downtown.

Preservation Hall FRENCH QUARTER | $$ LIVE JAZZ

An intimate, no-frills venue featuring traditional New Orleans jazz performances nightly in a historic setting.

French Quarter Phantoms Ghost Tours FRENCH QUARTER | $$ HAUNTED HISTORY

A guided nighttime walking tour through some of the city’s most infamous haunted locations, blending real history with chilling storytelling.

46 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

MID-CITY TRAILS & GREEN SPACE

A 1,300-acre park in the center of the city featuring hiking trails, botanical gardens, art mediums, and more.

Audubon Park UPTOWN RUNNING & WALKING LOOP

A great park for walking, running, and enjoying the outdoors.

Bayou St. John Trail MID-CITY WATERFRONT PATH

A peaceful path following the bayou that is great for jogging, biking, or a casual stroll near the water.

VENUE & TRAVEL ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER Switchback Spring 2026 will be hosted at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, located along the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown New Orleans—just steps from the French Quarter and Warehouse District. With walkable access to restaurants, hotels, and outdoor activities, the city becomes part of the event experience.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Switchback Spring will be located in Hall H of the convention center. The building is large; please allow additional travel time when planning your day.

Scan the QR code for the most convenient drop-off and entrance location:

CLICK HERE FOR A SIMPLE MAP OF THE AREA

PARKING & RIDESHARE: WHAT TO KNOW • Rideshare recommended: Search “Taxi/Rideshare Zone – 400 Calliope St” for drop-off and pick-up locations • Driving: Park in Lot F for the closest access to Hall H (Switchback’s location) • For GPS: Search “Convention Center Lot F (400 Calliope St)” • Daily parking: $23 per vehicle (no in/out access); arrive early, as parking lots may fill quickly.

BOOK YOUR STAY In partnership with onPeak, Switchback offers discounted rates at a selection of New Orleans hotels. As the only official housing provider, onPeak offers convenient booking options along with flexible change and cancellation policies to support your travel plans.

Book your hotel room by Tuesday, May 26, to access the best selection and pricing and to ensure a seamless stay during Switchback Spring.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS

AIRPORT SELECTION

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) If you’re flying to Switchback Spring, you’ll arrive at MSY, located just outside of downtown New Orleans. With direct flights from major cities across the U.S., getting to New Orleans is simple and accessible.

From the airport, attendees can reach downtown and the convention center via rideshare services, taxis, or rental cars. It’s approximately a 20-minute drive.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MSY

• Payment: Use the ParkMobile app (onsite or in advance)

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 47

The Switchback Spring 2026 Event App is available for registered attendees and exhibitors. The app is your go-to resource in New Orleans and will include all event information.

You can also set meetings and connect with brands, retailers, media, and more directly through the app. Attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to pre-plan meetings and start making connections early to maximize time onsite.

Access Wi-Fi at Switchback: Network: Switchback Password: switchbackspring26

DOWNLOAD THE APP AND START PREPARING FOR YOUR TIME IN NEW ORLEANS! 1. PLAN your daily schedule, including education sessions and fun activities.

SCAN THE QR CODE OR GO TO www.switchbackevent.com/event-app

TO LEARN MORE.

2. BOOKMARK must-see brands on the show floor.

3. CONNECT with industry peers before the event through a simple networking tool.

4. STAY IN-THE-KNOW about important event updates.

SWITCHBACK SPRING Switchback has partnered with Matterbox to assemble and donate snack packs for the Louisiana-based nonprofit Second Harvest Food Bank.

While you’re in the lobby, look for our Give Back Station signage, and be sure to stop by during the times listed here to build a snack pack. All materials and instructions will be provided!

48 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA

THANK YOU TO THE PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:

TUESDAY, JUNE 16 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Dive Into the Archives

Explore Switchback

Webinars

Switchback webinars bring retailers, brands, and industry leaders together for real conversations on what’s happening in outdoor specialty.

Lay of the Land: Protecting Our Public Lands and Water On-demand Webinar | Free

Built by the same team who creates Switchback’s education program, these virtual conversations are meant to support and advance the industry through year-round insights, which include: INDUSTRY TRENDS

and consumer insights shaping the outdoor specialty retail landscape

HONEST

conversations around conservation, policy, tariffs, and more

DEEP DIVES

into partnerships across brands, retailers, media, and your local communities

TIPS AND BEST PRACTICES

The State of the American Outdoor Consumer: Trends, Shifts, and Opportunities

for attending or exhibiting at Switchback

On-demand Webinar | Free

Check out the latest discussions, all available on-demand at www.switchbackevent.com/webinars

From Wholesale to Partnership: Building Retailer-Brand Equity Together On-demand Webinar | Free

Follow Switchback On Social Stay connected before, during, and after the event.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Switchback, plus real-time updates, retailer features, brand highlights, moments from the show floor, and more.

Follow along and share your time at Switchback by tagging:

@switchbackevent

SWITCHBACK SPRING • 2026 EVENT GUIDE • 49

SAVE the DATE Switchback at The Running Event DECEMBER 1 - 3, 2026 | SAN ANTONIO, TX Henry B. González Convention Center Back for year five, Switchback at The Running Event (TRE) 2026 will be a one-stop opportunity to access top run and outdoor brands under one roof, connect with industry peers, and gain valuable, actionable education to advance your business.

LEARN MORE

50 • SWITCHBACK SPRING • NEW ORLEANS, LA