Saturday, October 17, 2026 |  9:30am-4:00pm | Philadelphia, PA

RUN THE INDUSTRY: Career Summit

A summit inspiring people to start, stay, and grow in the running industry.

Register Here

About our event

The running industry is bigger than you think. Come see it from the inside.

Built for early-career people who are curious about the running industry and have never had a clear way in. Panels, mentorship conversations, and workshops - led by the people already building careers across brands, retail, race events, and beyond.

Run The Industry: Career Summit is not a career fair.

Instead, it’s a full-day education and access event. The running industry employs designers, buyers, coaches, race directors, brand marketers, retail owners, and more. We want to create the access that allows more people to know what jobs exist in the industry. You’ll hear directly from professionals across every corner of the industry, get inside the rooms most people spend years trying to find, and leave with a clearer understanding of where you fit.

Register Here

Who this is for

This summit is for anyone curious about the running industry, seeking knowledge on how to get into the room.

If you care about sports, fitness, culture, or community, there's a role here.

College students and recent grads

💡

Collegiate athletes

🏅

Retail employees

👟

Career explorers

🔎

College students and recent grads 💡 Collegiate athletes 🏅 Retail employees 👟 Career explorers 🔎

The itinerary

  • Check in, get settled, and enjoy coffee and snacks before the summit starts.

  • After an RIDC welcome, explore four key sectors: retail, brands, race events, and coaching. Discover how these lanes operate, the organizations driving them, and the career paths available within each.

  • Hear from a diverse panel of professionals thriving in coaching, product development, marketing and sales. Learn how they found their fit, what their day-to-day looks like, and how to find your own stride.

  • Grab lunch, head to your preferred track, and connect with mentors working in that field. This structured networking session is your chance to engage with professionals doing the work you are curious about.

  • Wrap up our speaker programming with a message from the RIDC and our keynote speaker. Discover why your perspective is essential to the running industry before moving into the afternoon activities.

  • Take 15 minutes to change before a 2-mile run or walk hosted by a local run club, featuring brand activations. We’ll wrap up back at the venue with a yoga cooldown to prep for the mixer.

  • Bring the day's conversations together with small bites, giveaways, and casual networking. Browse partner tables, strengthen connections, and build community with fellow attendees and mentors.

Summit takeaways

A clear picture of the career paths that exist in running, beyond professional athlete.

An understanding of how the industry actually works, from brands to retail to race production.

Practical tools: how to identify your transferable skills, build your professional presence, and find your lane.

Real conversations with people who were once exactly where you are.

Access to the RIDC network:  programs, scholarships, grants, and a community of people building careers in this industry.

Sponsorships

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 kiera@runningdiversity.com, for more information.

Speakers

We are excited to present an incredible lineup of speakers. Our industry insiders will share valuable insights, trends, and stories to help you learn more about the running industry. From keynotes to panel discussions, these sessions are designed to inspire, educate, and help you find your lane.

Registration

Ready to experience RIDC’s RUN THE INDUSTRY Career Summit this October in Philadelphia? Register below!

Register Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • All attendees must be 18+ to attend this event.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Yes, please see the venue’s suggestions for nearby hotels here.

  • 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.