The Running Event Opens its Doors to North American Race Directors; Keynote Address by IRONMAN CEO

GREAT NECK, N.Y. (October 24, 2016) – The Running Event (TRE), North America’s largest specialty running conference and trade show, will open its doors to the sport’s most influential race and event directors for the first time since the show began in 2005.

A separate three-day package for race directors includes conference seminars focused on their specific needs, a keynote address by IRONMAN® CEO Andrew Messick, admission to the trade show floor, and entry into the Indie 5K road race scheduled this year at Disney World EPCOT® Center.

“The race director program recognizes the growing impact that events play in the running ecosystem,” says Mark Sullivan, president of TRE organizer Formula4 Media, based in Great Neck, N.Y.

“You can’t buy a running experience on the internet. Race directors bring the sport to life for millions of participants around the world each year.”

Messick’s keynote is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The hotel is adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center where more than 250 running industry exhibitors will attract an estimated 800-plus running specialty buyers who are expected to attend from throughout North America and parts of the world.

Messick, who has more than a decade of experience in leadership roles at global sports and entertainment companies, will talk about the growth of endurance sports, in North America and globally.

Prior to joining IRONMAN in 2011, he served as president of AEG Sports since 2007. At AEG, Messick played a leading role in its international development and for its sports teams and properties, including the Amgen Tour of California, Bay to Breakers foot race, EuroLeague Basketball, and AEG China.

Formula4 Media’s Mark Sullivan explained that elite race directors representing road, trail, triathlon or obstacle races attracting over 5,000 participants will be invited to attend all conferences and walk the trade show floor.

“Opening TRE to race directors recognizes their important role in creating new runners or obstacle racers, driving business into specialty stores, and influencing the sale of running-related products and services,” Sullivan said.

“They also have an incredible track record in regards to helping raise millions of dollars for charity, whether it’s the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Ride MS and Walk MS, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training, or Girls on the Run, to name a few.”

Race directors will also benefit from attending Nov. 30 conference sessions focusing on the future of the running experience; a talk by David Meerman Scott about “The New Rules of Marketing and PR;” and a session titled “The Rise of Smart (Connected) Apparel and What It Means for Runners and Retailers.”

Conferences take place in the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The three-day race director package is $195.

For more information about TRE: Troy Leonard, show director, 352 624 1561, tleonard@formula4media.com; Mark Sullivan, president, 646 319 7878, msullivan@formula4media.com. Watch the TRE 2016 video at www.therunningevent.com

New for 2017 is the Sportstyle conference and trade show, June 14-16, 2017, including the RIA Style Summit (Running Industry Association members only), and a consumer expo on June 16 at the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center. For more information about how to participate, contact Jeff Nott, jnott@formula4media.com, 516 305 4711, www.sportstyleshow.com

Formula4 Media, based in Great Neck, N.Y., established in 2005, also produces nine publications: Running Insight, Footwear Insight, Sports Insight, Outdoor Insight, Team Insight, Textile Insight, Trend Insight, Inside Insight, and Sportstyle.

Editor’s note: Working Media on assignment can pre-register in advance by contacting Jeff Blumenfeld, Director of Communications, jeff@blumenfeldpr.com, 203 326 1200.

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10-24-16