After almost 20 years at Runners Plus, I’m still realizing there’s no slow season. Fresh off the energy of the holiday rush and from seeing so many friends across the industry in San Antonio, planning for the new year is already well underway. As nonstop as it can be, I’m always grateful to be in this space. Retail is tough, but run specialty retail is incredibly rewarding because of the people and relationships behind it.
I’m honored to represent the RIA as President and grateful to work alongside a smart, dedicated board of directors and staff who are focused on elevating retailers, strengthening the industry, and expanding the audience we serve (our three strategic pillars). Those priorities guide how we show up for our members and where we invest our time and resources.
At our most recent board meeting, incoming Vice President Jess Reid highlighted something many of us feel: the relationships within this industry are what first drew us to the RIA and what continue to make it valuable today. Our goal is to translate those relationships into real, tangible value through meaningful member benefits, strong information-sharing, and opportunities to connect in-person at events like the RIA Summit, which I’m already looking forward to in Atlanta in May.
At Runners Plus, the number one job for every staff member is to make sure that after someone visits us, they’re glad they made the choice to do so. That same idea applies to the RIA. My goal this year is to make the association more useful, more responsive, and more valuable to every member, so that being part of the RIA is an easy and rewarding decision.
Before signing off, I want to thank our outgoing board members and 2025 President Harry Chandler for their tireless leadership and commitment to the organization. Harry’s willingness to listen and his constant availability is inspiring to me.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know how I, and the RIA, can support you. That’s what we’re here for.
Happy 2026,
Eric Contreras
President, Running Industry Association
