Newly announced sessions include event operations, marketing, customer experience and leadership tracks; conference registration rates increase Sept. 5
(August 27, 2026) – Running USA is pleased to announce six breakout sessions for the 2027 Industry Conference presented by haku, giving attendees an early look at the practical, industry-focused education that will be featured at the premiere gathering of running event professionals, set for Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the M Resort near Las Vegas.
The newly announced sessions cover topics ranging from emergency planning and event liability to participant growth, accessibility and leadership/culture. Each session is designed to provide race directors, event producers and other industry professionals with ideas and tools they can put to work in their own organizations. In addition to the programming tracks listed below, sessions on business development and partnerships are slated for future announcements.
“This first round of educational programming represents a wide range of industry leaders providing practical, relevant information attendees can take back to their events and put into action. From emergency planning and accessibility to marketing to business strategy and building stronger teams, these sessions reflect the wide range of challenges our industry is navigating right now,” said Dr. Michael Clemons, Running USA Director of Operations. “And this is just the beginning. We have a lot more great content and speakers still to announce for 2027.”
Attendees excited to join the running industry’s premier annual gathering are urged to register soon. A price increase is set for Sept. 5, so attendees should register by Sept. 4 to secure the best available rate. Active members of Running USA can email membership@runningusa.org to receive their custom discount codes.
The six newly announced breakout sessions are:
Event Management & Operations Track: Building Safer Events with EAS and Crisis Management. Presented by Chris Joffe and Liz Rupert of Joffe Emergency Services; Michael Nishi, Chicago Event Management.
Most event teams know the Event Alert System colors; fewer have worked out what happens the 10 minutes after the flag changes: who makes the call, what plan it sets in motion, and how that decision reaches staff, medical, public safety, participants and spectators.
EAS is a communication tool, and it only works as well as the planning behind it. This session covers the planning that has to come first, including right-sized contingency planning, clear command and decision-making authority, and communication that holds while conditions are changing. Attendees will work through real race scenarios and leave with a practical toolkit that can be applied to events of any size or resource level.
Event Management & Operations Track: Protecting Your Event from Cancellation and Liability Risks. Presented by Nathan Nicholas, Nicholas Hill Group.
From wildfire smoke forcing last-minute race cancellations to high-stakes litigation following on-course medical emergencies, today’s race directors navigate an increasingly volatile landscape.
This session will strip away confusing insurance jargon to deliver a clear, actionable playbook for safeguarding an event and its bottom line. By examining recent industry challenges, including weather and Air Quality Index disruptions alongside liability trends surrounding participant injuries, the session will explore the essential mechanics of event liability, participant medical protection and cancellation strategies. Attendees will gain practical, real-world insights designed to help protect their events, athletes and organizations.
Marketing & Communications Track: 10 Lessons from the Fastest Growing Events. Presented by Rebecca Moll, Movemint.
Drawing on a decade of experience working with hundreds of running, trail, cycling and multisport events — from first-year community races to some of North America’s largest endurance events — this session will share 10 practical lessons from the fastest-growing events.
Attendees will learn how leading organizers reduce registration friction, build momentum before registration opens, increase referrals and repeat participation, create experiences that reflect their brands and communities, communicate effectively throughout the participant journey, avoid operational issues that generate unnecessary support requests, and identify the metrics that matter most for sustainable year-over-year growth. They’ll also gain platform-agnostic strategies that can be adapted and applied immediately, regardless of event size.
Customer Experience & Relations Track: Rethinking the Event Experience for People with Disabilities. Presented by Morgan Pappas, Kyle Pease Foundation.
What does a truly inclusive event look like, not just at the starting line, but everywhere participants, spectators and volunteers experience it? Drawing on 15 years of putting athletes with disabilities on courses ranging from local 5Ks to the IRONMAN World Championship, The Kyle Pease Foundation will share practical strategies for rethinking the event experience from end to end. Topics will include registration and communication, course and equipment accessibility, volunteer training, and creating an environment where families and supporters feel just as welcome as athletes.
Attendees will leave with concrete steps they can apply to events of any size and a new lens for seeing their event through the eyes of every person who shows up.
Leadership & Culture Track: Successful Business Strategies for Events of All Sizes. Presented by Steve Lastoe and Michele Gretano of NYCRUNS.
Endurance events come in all shapes and sizes, but some business practices scale well across the board. Quality above all else, the willingness to ask any question and debate it rigorously, a commitment to growth, and a reliance on strong professional financial guidance are the bedrock of one of the fastest-growing endurance event companies over the last two decades.
This session will explore these business-forward practices in the context of brand building, operations, staffing and technology in ways that are adoptable for event producers of all sizes.
Leadership & Culture Track: Building a Culture Where People Know They Matter. Presented by Jamicka Edwards, You Matter Foundation for Life, Inc.
This session will give leaders practical tools to create a stronger, more connected team culture, starting with the people they work with every day. Edwards will share strategies for improving communication, recognizing and motivating staff, building trust, setting expectations, and creating a culture of accountability without losing the human connection. The session will also explore simple ways to extend that culture to volunteers, participants, sponsors, community partners and others who help make an event happen.
Attendees will leave with practical ideas they can put into action immediately, including ways to strengthen team communication, recognize contributions and create more meaningful connections across their event.
Additional breakout sessions, speakers and conference programming will be announced as the 2027 Running USA Industry Conference presented by haku approaches. Conference registration pricing increases Sept. 5, so register today to get the best price.
About the Industry Conference
Since its origins as a small gathering of Running USA’s founders in Southern California in 2004, the Running USA Industry Conference presented by haku is the best-attended, most esteemed gathering of running industry professionals from around the world. Moving locations each year, the conference has been held in Los Angeles, San Diego, Savannah, Houston, San Antonio, Denver, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Orlando, Louisville, St. Louis and heads to Henderson, NV for the 2027 event.
About Running USA
Running USA is a non-profit that serves as the leading trade organization for the running industry in North America and hosts the nation’s preeminent industry conference annually. Through education, research, best practices and data, Running USA is committed to supporting and facilitating growth, diversification and excitement in running communities everywhere. We promote networking and idea-sharing between event organizers, sponsors, vendors and athletes. Running USA is a member of a global alliance of organizations focused on the betterment of the global running community including the Running Industry Alliance and European Athletics. For more information, visit runningusa.org.