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What We Do

Runner in forest

What We Do

The RIA’s sole purpose is to drive the running industry forward. We do this by helping members maintain healthy, profitable businesses through financial benefits, innovative commerce tools, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and peer support.

4 Reasons to Join

  • Buy/Sell with Ease - KICK Show + RIA Brand Showcase - Learn more>>
  • Save Money - Freight Program + Free/Discounted Services - Learn more>>
  • Get Connected - Peer Sharing + Mega Networking - Learn more>>
  • Valuable Resources - Professional Development + Advocacy/Assets - Learn more>>

  • RIA Freight Service

  • Shop Safe Program

  • Brand Support

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Written by Josh Gowans on . Posted in Uncategorised.

Membership

Join the RIA - Working Together to Keeping You Running

The running industry is continually adapting to the challenges presented by the industry and economy, and have found new ways of connecting to our customers. The RIA community has grown stronger and so has our support to ensure you keep running smoothly and effectively. 

Jump to:

For independently owned brick-and-mortar stores that want to empower their business. 

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Brand presentation
For brands looking to create connections and visibility with retailers across the country. Join the top brands in the channel and let's get going!
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Runners checking watches
For companies looking to gain access to, and support retailers and brands in the specialty run channel.
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The RIA’s mission is to foster collaboration between brands and retailers. So naturally, it makes sense to include the group that creates the strongest connection between retail and brand members: Independent sales reps and agencies.
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Runners checking watches
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About

What is the Running Industry Association?

The Running Industry Association (RIA) is a non-profit organization that supports the brick and mortar running retail channel throughout the United States and Canada. Our members are independently owned stores, the brands that sell within the channel, and the companies that provide services and support to the channel.

Founded in 2006 as the Independent Running Retailers Association, the organization has undergone consistent growth and evolution, leading to the transition in 2015 to a 501c6 non-profit, and in 2017, our members' decision to re-brand as the Running Industry Association. The name change reflects the understanding that for the independent running specialty channel to remain competitive, a new, inclusive culture must be fostered. With all stakeholders working collaboratively together, the channel can remain robust and meet the challenges of an increasingly complex market. As the RIA moves forward, our mission will remain focused on serving  the channel with resources and advocacy. In doing so, RIA will position itself as the progressive thought and business leader for the entire running industry. 

The RIA Mission

The RIA’s sole purpose is to drive the running industry forward. We do this by helping members maintain healthy, profitable businesses through financial benefits, innovative commerce tools, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and peer support.

  • RIA Retailer Support

  • Kick Show Partnership Development

  • RIA Member Benefits

The RIA Plan

Check out our interactive guide for members and non-members alike that takes you through our plan to support the run specialty retail channel. 

Key Benefits that Support Our Goals + Mission

Meet Our Staff

The RIA staff works to connect and engage members with valuable resources in order to advance the specialty running channel.
Contact Us
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Board of Directors

The Running Industry Association’s Board represents our membership with the express purpose of supporting the organization’s mission to create a collaborative, dynamic specialty run community. The board consists of 13 members who represent our 3 levels of membership. There are 9 retail seats, 3 brand seats, and 1 associate seat. Our 2023 board members are:

Board Officers

  • President - Andrea Lehmkuhler - Point 2 Running Company

  • Vice President - Harry Chandler - Charlotte Running Company

  • Treasurer - Lindsey Mulder - Playmakers

  • Strategic Lead - Jen Brummitt- Gazelle Sports

Board Members:

  • Jen Brummitt - Gazelle Sports

  • Harry Chandler - Charlotte Running Company

  • Dan Gardner - Feetures

  • Eric Contreras - Runner's Plus

  • Amy Johnson - Craft

  • Nick Kovaleski - A Runner's Mind 

  • Andrea Lehmkuhler - Point 2 Running Company

  • Kevin McHale - Asics

  • Jeff Metzdorff - Mill City/Saint City

  • Lindsey Mulder - Playmakers

  • Lance Muzslay - Optio

  • Jess Reid - Lex Running Shop 

  • Melissa Vitale - True Grit Running Company

RIA Entity Documents

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Written by Josh Gowans on . Posted in Uncategorised.

Homepage

The voice of the run specialty channel

Driving the industry forward through the power of community. 

Welcome to the Running Industry Association

The RIA’s sole purpose is to drive the running industry forward. We do this by helping members maintain healthy, profitable businesses through financial benefits, innovative commerce tools, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and peer support.

"We are laser-focused on member value. Our goal is to consistently deliver the resources our members need to maintain healthy, profitable businesses through financial benefits, education, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and peer support. We also recognize that a key facet to providing member value is to fully understand the environment in which our members compete. Putting this insight to work through innovative new tools, resources and initiatives will allow our members to remain vibrant within their local communities and the running industry as a whole."
Runners running into the RIA logo icon

Membership has its benefits...

New Member Benefit - The RIA Product Data Collaborative

If time is money, how much are you losing managing brand product data?

The RIA Product Data Collaborative is the first-ever, centralized tool for accessing and managing brand product data. It empowers you to save time and money with seamless data sharing across the entire run specialty channel - including brands, retailers and business partners.

Learn more today!

Backed by the Top Brands in the Channel

The Running Industry Association benefits from an incredible network of the industry's top brands - all supporting our mission to advance the specialty run channel. 

Supporting Brands

The RIA would like to acknowledge the following brands as supporting members who have provided additional financial support to the organization. 

View complete list in our brand showcase

Get educated

RIA Webinars

View all webinars

Industry trends and more

Market Research

Research industry trends

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