The Running Industry Alliance (RIA), serving the running industry across the UK & Ireland, officially launched on 17th January 2022.
Rebecca Richardson and Jonathan Midwood co-lead the trade organisation. The purpose of the RIA is to… ‘collectively drive the running industry forward and to improve the sport and business of running.’
With a not-for-profit membership structure and a not-for-profit conference, RIA has opened up membership applications to all sectors of the running industry. The goal is to enhance the ability to connect, as well as… ‘amplify the narrative, create new opportunities and further develop growth opportunities within the industry to aid a future-proof approach with a stronger together attitude.’
The not-for-profit ‘The Gathering Conference’ is scheduled to take place from 11-13 September 2022. It will be for RIA members only, part of the annual membership. According to the RIA… ‘This is a highly anticipated meet up for the running industry at an iconic sport venue; further details will be released later.
‘Membership benefits are purpose-built and numerous, and applications are open to brands and retailers of all sizes, as well as buying groups, distributors, mass participation events and organisers, communities, official governing bodies, charities, expos and shows, media, and service suppliers to the running industry.
‘RIA will also be a platform for networking through targeted events, encourage collaborative work within the RIA ecosystem, and provide bite-sized industry news and valuable future insight. Promoting innovation and understanding of existing and new products, services and technology that will advance the sector in an ever-changing landscape is another key aim of the alliance.
‘Furthermore an Alliance Board has been established to represent a broad cross sector of the industry and to continue its drive forward. Unveiled mid-February, this 35-person strong board represents the sector as a whole with hundreds of years experience across the board and designed to make sure that key topics are raised, looked at and addressed for the running industry.’
Co-Leads Rebecca Richardson and Jonathan Midwood are both running industry veterans, and have worked together on a number of projects over the years.
Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS), a specialist market research consultancy to the sports and leisure industry, has been announced as Official Insights Partner.
Rebecca Richardson said “We are very excited to have brought the Running Industry Alliance to the UK and Ireland, the first and much needed trade organisation dedicated to the running industry and bringing everyone in the sector together.
“RIA will be a collective and amplified voice for the running industry, and one of the aims is to curate a narrative for the running industry to reflect the true value and worth of the sector.
“We are stronger together, and we are looking forward to galvanising and aligning the running industry and collaboratively building on the great work already being undertaken.”
Jonathan Midwood added “The Running Industry Alliance has had so much positive feedback already since we started conversations, and everyone is looking forward to working together with a connected approach to align the industry and raise further awareness of its absolute importance.
“We can’t wait to pull everyone together and connect to showcase, add value, collaborate, share knowledge, experience and educate each other. We will also be showing the true value of the running industry through powerful research and insight. These are exciting times for the industry and we are looking forward to making a real difference. Thank you to everyone who has supported our RIA vision so far, we have been overwhelmed by such a positive response.”
Annual membership costs £750 + VAT and includes a 3-day pass access for one person to the members-only ‘The Gathering Conference’, billed as the annual running industry meet up.
www.runningindustryalliance.com
