One record-setting Running Event 2024 trade show and conference, three exciting  days in Austin, TX, dozens of brand meetings, informal encounters with running retailers, more than a few parties … and then all of a sudden it was over and we start planning for TRE25, next December down the road in San Antonio, TX. But first, some thoughts and commentary from Running Insight writers and editors.

• It all started with Education Day on Tuesday, the morning before the actual show opened, with what seemed like thousands (but more like 500) running retailers filling five separate conference rooms in three separate sessions – plus lengthy Deep Dive sessions in the morning – to listen and learn. We sat in on all of them at some point and have one comment: Artificial Intelligence, as explained by Big Peach’s Steve DeMoss, is both exciting and frightening.

• Johnny Cupcakes rocked as the keynote speaker. Even though his presentation ran a bit longer than scheduled (apologies to all of the afternoon presenters who then got backed up, but it all worked out in the end). Johnny’s message of experimentation, entertainment, wins and losses and the importance of family and community certainly resonated with the packed house. In case you weren’t there, Johnny Cupcakes’ store on Newbury Street in Boston sells T-shirts, not cupcakes.

• Tuesday ended with the first-ever Brand Leaders session featuring top dogs from Brooks (Dan Sheridan), Saucony (Joy Allen-Altimare), Altra (Jen McLaren) and Hoka (Robin Green), who shared their own insights into the future of run specialty with another packed house of attendees. It was all adeptly handled by Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith, who made sure each of the four had ample opportunity to add to the discussion.

• Speaking of big names, Running Insight editors had our annual sit down with Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer to not only discuss the state of the industry’s largest retailer and franchisor, but also his amazing seven-week cross-country odyssey this summer in a Winnebago to visit stores and run groups. The full interview and photos appeared in the December issue of Running Insight – www.runninginsight.com.

• The show floor for TRE24 was scheduled to open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning. At 8 a.m. retailers were already lining up at the entrance to be the first to experience the largest TRE ever.

• When the doors did finally open at 9 a.m. those early arrivers then mostly made a beeline for the Brooks booth in the back of the hall for their annual giveaway of shoes to those that got there first. It was indeed a mad dash and one woman did wipe out in the rush as she entered the hall at the Austin Convention Center, but her fellow attendees helped her up and presumably gave her a place in line.

• Running Insight writers have been to hundreds of trade shows over many years and as we walked the record-setting show floor before the doors opened we admitted to being a bit overwhelmed by the scope of TRE24. More than 330 brands, 111 new exhibitors, 90,500-square feet of exhibits, 15 percent larger than TRE23 — and a pickleball court. 

• That same feeling remained after dozens and dozens of visits with brands ranging from On’s and Oofos’ double decker booths to the random 10 X 10 in the back of the hall. Even with five writers roaming the aisles we felt we barely scratched the surface of everything that TRE24 offered.

• One highlight was certainly seeing and feeling On’s spray-on shoe. We have seen the future or shoe construction and it is in this amazing technology. 

• We are constantly amazed at the energy and excitement at the annual Thursday evening Awards ceremony. From the individual awards presented by Balega, New Balance, Saucony, On and Brooks to the recognition of the 2024 Best Running Stores to the announcement of the Store of the Year to =PR= Run & Walk, it was quite an emotional evening.  

• And then it was all over. The following day we took an elevator to a roof top bar in the nearby Westin hotel to look down one last time at the Austin Convention Center, which has served so well as the home of The Running Event for most of the past 20 years. With a major renovation of the facility – are they really going to tear it down!?!? – TRE25 moves down the road to San Antonio in early December next year. Adios, Austin, you have been a good host. Stay Weird and maybe we’ll be back again some day.