2026 Schedule – The Business of Running Events Conference

Sunday, July 12

12:00 PM

Registration Opens (Kingston)

Ends at 4PM

4:00 PM

Welcome & Opening by Laura Green

4:15 PM

Key Insights, AI, and the Road Ahead with Race Roster

Speaker: Alex Vander Hoeven, Co-CDO, ASICS Organization and CEO of ASICS Apps

4:45 PM

We Have the Technology: Why AI Is Going to Make You Better, Stronger, Faster. Maybe.

Speaker: Tony Frost, Associate Professor, Business, Economics and Public Policy

6:00 PM

Dinner presented by TEAK

Expect the unexpected. We begin with a night of culinary delights and curated mystery. The details are classified; your presence is the final piece of the puzzle.

Monday, July 13

8:45 AM

Welcome – House Keeping

9:00 AM

Creating a Fans First Experience for your Organization

Speaker: Tucker Brooks, Director of People & Culture Development, Savannah Bananas

9:50 AM

Inside the Bandit Grand Prix 2.0

Speaker: Steve Finley, Bandit Running, Director of Community and Partnerships

11:00 AM

Break

11:15 AM

Running Game Show with Laura Green

12:00 PM

Lunch: Greenhouse and Courtyard

Location may shift based on weather.

1:00 PM

The Future of Leadership: Trends & Future-Proofing in a Changing World

Speaker: Dr. Bailey Parnell, World-Renowned Speaker. Pioneer in Digital Wellbeing. Founder & CEO of SkillsCamp & the Center for Digital Wellbeing

2:00 PM

Navigating the Evolution of Sports Travel

Speaker: Jason Gewirtz, Senior Vice President Content/Meetings and Sports, Northstar Meetings Group

3:00 PM

Break

3:15 PM

Community Diamond

Fireside chat with:
Sean Brock, Chef, Writer, TV Host, 45 RPM DJ, Dad
Christine Bowen, Director of Business Development, Race Roster

4:00 PM

Wrap up the Day

Enjoy dinner on your own in Charleston

8:00 PM

After hours at the Blind Tiger

There’s no better place to wind down than a true Holy City institution. We’re getting folks together for an after-hours hangout at The Blind Tiger. Meet us out in the courtyard for good conversation, great drinks, even better company and maybe some friendly competitions. See you at 36 Broad Street from 8-11 pm!

Tuesday, July 14

7:45 AM

Breakfast – Garden Terrace

Location may shift based on weather.

9:00 AM

Global State of Running: A World Athletics View

Speaker: Jon Ridgeon, Chief Executive Officer of World Athletics

9:35 AM

Choose your adventure: Building with AI

Speaker: Joe Pace, VP, ASICS Ventures

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Disruptive Sports and what can the running industry learn from them

Panelists:
Doug Gremmen, Chief Growth Officer and Managing Director for HYROX North America
Alana Casner, Chief Operating & Athlete Officer, Parity
Sarah Ratzlaff, Vice President, Business Operations and Partnerships, Orlando Valkyries

11:45 AM

Closing Remarks