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November 2021 - Update from our Executive Director

Published on | Terry Schalow | News & Updates

In late September, the Running Industry Association brought our members together at Runchella, the first in-person run specialty event in almost two years. Envisioned as a ‘social symposium’, the three-day gathering in Denver featured activities that reconnected friends, peers, and business associates.
Group toast at Runchella 2021
Group toast at Runchella 2021

The energy and excitement were palpable, and a strong majority of the 200+ retail, brand, and associate members who attended gave the event an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Runchella wasn’t just about socializing. Within a programming framework of panel discussions and informational sessions, attendees leaned in, shared, and listened.  We learned over those few days that our members are hungry for information that can inform better business decisions. 

The RIA responded to those expectations with an introduction to two powerful new member benefits. RIA Weekly Snapshots, in partnership with Upper Quadrant Cadence, will provide RIA retail members with weekly data updates on key performance metrics compiled from aggregated POS data. In addition, RIA Mastermind Groups, in association with Karnan Associates, will organize our retail members into peer sharing groups, creating informed discussions on a variety of topics. 

The RIA Weekly Snapshots and RIA Mastermind platforms are powerful stand-alone benefits, but when used in concert they become even more valuable.  Snapshot data will allow stores to see how they compare to their peers in the channel, and they can then take that data to their mastermind groups to get input and advice, particularly in situations when the metrics show their businesses are under-indexed.  

In the 4th quarter, the RIA will be showcasing these benefits to our members, including webinars and instructional sessions at TRE. These are not to be missed…building a strong, competitive business in 2021 depends on using every tool available, and RIA has provided two powerful new platforms that will deliver in a big way.

Terry Schalow, Executive Director

For fun tune into our Runcella highlight video, you will see why we were are so enthusiastic!

 


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