Presented by
A summit for anyone who is curious about working in the running industry.
Join us for panels, networking, and workshops with dynamic leaders in the industry.
Saturday, October 17, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The running industry is bigger than you think.
Come see it from the inside.
This is NOT a job fair.
The Career Summit is a full-day, education and networking experience for college students, recent graduates, early professionals, and career changers.
What to Expect
The running industry employs designers, buyers, coaches, race directors, marketers, retail professionals, and more.
Attendees will hear directly from these professionals and leave with a clearer understanding of how the industry works.
“We are investing in the next generation of leaders and helping create pathways to meaningful careers and a stronger running industry.” - Jenn McLaren, President of Altra
Your starting line to working in the running industry.
Did we mention registration is FREE?
Event Snapshot
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Convene Two Commerce Square | 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Registration Fee: There is NO COST to attend this year. Thanks to our partners we're able to offer this program at no cost to you!
Schedule Preview
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Check in, get settled, and enjoy coffee and refreshments before the summit kicks off.
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Learn about multiple pathways to careers in the running industry.
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Enjoy lunch on us while casually connecting with mentors who have years of experience in the fields that interest you most.
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Learn about multiple pathways to careers in the running industry.
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Inspired by our largest and most widely celebrated event, THE COOKOUT. Join us as we wrap up the day with music, light bites, tons of giveaways, and guided networking in a relaxed atmosphere. Browse partner tables, strengthen connections, and kick back with fellow attendees, industry leaders, and mentors. We will provide you with tips and engagement opportunities to help you navigate this space.
* For planning purposes only. Session start times are subject to change.
THE COOKOUT is coming to Philadelphia
Inspired by our largest and most widely celebrated event, THE COOKOUT. Join us for a mini COOKOUT as we wrap up the day with music, light bites, tons of giveaways, and low pressure networking.
Browse partner tables, strengthen connections, and kick back with fellow attendees, industry leaders, and mentors.
We will provide tips and engagement opportunities to help you navigate this space.
Our Sponsors
Ready to experience RIDC’s RUN THE INDUSTRY: Career Summit?
We’ll see you in Philadelphia in October.
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There is NO COST to attend this event. RIDC values accessibility to the sport and industry of running, thanks to our partners we're able to offer this program at no cost to you.
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Although this event is FREE to attend, registrants can add an optional donation at registration or through this link to support RIDC’s mission and programming.
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All attendees must be 18+ to attend this event.
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Yes! We will provide lunch, snacks and beverages throughout the day, along with light bites during the mixer. We encourage you to have breakfast before arrival. Though we have taken allergies and dietary preferences into account, the venue can’t guarantee cross-contamination standards therefore if you have a severe allergy please make sure to bring additional snacks for your needs.
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Although there is no formal dress code for our event, the suggested attire for RUN THE INDUSTRY is office athleisure. This is not a career fair, however, appropriate and comfortable clothing should be worn.
The event also consists of a 2 mile walk/run for which you should bring comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. There will be a free shoe demo if you would like to try new sneakers, based on sizing availability.
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Although RUN THE INDUSTRY will not have any in-person hiring opportunities, it is recommended to have these materials prepared. There will be opportunities to connect with industry professionals throughout the event and you will gain access to our job board to see actively open positions from various RIDC partners.
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We will have WiFi available for your laptop or mobile device needs. You do not have to bring your laptop but are welcome to do so.
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We have a 15 minute window allotted to transition from your event clothing to athletic clothing for the walk/run if needed. The venue has bathroom spaces for changing and coat rooms for storage. Staff and volunteers will remain in the event space during the walk/run.
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Yes, please see the details below.
Nearby Parking - please see linked parking pages for cost details.
Commerce Square Garage - 2005 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Entrance on 21st Street between Market Street and Cuthbert Street
(267) 765-3665
Patriot Parking - 2040 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-1059
Nearby Bus Station
21st St & Market St: 7, 31, 44, 48, 62, 124, 125
Nearby Train Stations
SEPTA Regional Rail and Amtrak 19th Street Trolley Station
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Yes, please see the venue’s suggestions for nearby hotels here.
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If your question is not answered in our event or registration page, please reach out to our team at programs@runningdiversity.com. Please note it may take us 1-2 weeks to reply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interested in sponsoring?
If you’re interested in sponsoring RIDC’s RUN THE INDUSTRY Career Summit, we’d love to chat! Please send an email to our Executive Director, Kiera Smalls, at hello@runningdiversity.com, for more information.