RIA Event Organiser Sessions
Tuesday 9th December 2025 | Burleigh Court – Conference Room 1 (AM SESSIONS)
NEW: RIA Event Organiser Sessions are a dedicated morning of insight, collaboration, and practical value for B2B RIA Event Organiser Members – built to listen, support, and drive forward the needs of mass participation, grassroots, and community-focused event professionals from across the UK, Ireland, Europe and international.
Held alongside The Running Conference, this curated morning includes:
🔶 Exclusive Event-Focused Content
Relevant, real-world sessions tackling key challenges and opportunities in the events space – from participation shifts and tech tools to commercial sustainability, partnerships, and environmental impact.
🔶 Organiser Voice at the Centre
This isn’t just presentations – it’s a two-way platform for open discussion. Event organisers are encouraged to share industry happenings, learnings and ideas. RIA, fellow Members and partners are here to listen and act collaboratively.
🔶 Connection, Workshops, Panels, and Peer Learning
The format includes hands-on workshops, expert-led panels, and knowledge-sharing roundtables to bring insight and inspiration direct from those shaping the future of events. This is a safe space business environment, everyone in the room is a RIA Member.
Event Organiser Sessions support the growth, innovation, and long-term health of the running and multisport events industry. If you're creating, producing, or delivering events – this is your time to connect, share and be heard.
🚫 No Access Without a TRC25 Event Organiser Session Ticket + ORANGE LANYARD
Spaces are limited and invite-only. Pre-registration is required.
Tuesday 9th Dec
🗓️ Event Organiser Sessions
Part of The Running Conference presented by haku
📍 Burleigh Court, Loughborough University
📅 Tuesday 9th December 2025
🕐 9:00am to 11:55am Session Time
> Breakfast is 7:00am to 8:55am for Event Organisers in Burleigh Restaurant - no set seating - Sessions start from 9:00am prompt in Conference Room 1
> Lunch available from 12:00pm in Burleigh Restaurant or grab and go lunch for anyone travelling home.
🎟️ Tailored for RIA Members Only - Race Directors and Event Organisers
🍽️ 07:00am – 08:55am - your own choice of a time to attend breakfast
Breakfast & Networking – Burleigh Restaurant
Join fellow event professionals, RIA + TIA Members, and partners to connect and gear up for a morning of insight, collaboration and practical takeaways starting at 9am in Conference Room 1.
🟢 09:00am – 09:10am | Becs Richardson and Tom Kerry x RIA (10 mins)
Welcome & Scene Setter
What’s the current climate for event organisers? We will set the scene together and share how RIA and Alliance Partners are actively supporting this critical part of the running industry and one of the fastest growing channels at RIA.
🧭 09:10am – 09:55am | Panel Session (45 mins)
Voices of the Industry: Advisory Board Reflections & What’s Next
Hear from event-focused RIA Alliance Advisory Board Members reflect on 2025’s learnings and look ahead to 2026–2027.
What’s changing, what needs to change and how we are building support with your input.
Expect across this session:
Key themes that emerged in 2025
Discussion highlights from the RIA Event Organisers Group (LinkedIn)
What’s changing and what still needs to change
How the Board is helping shape future support for organisers through RIA and TIA
What’s coming in 2026and beyond - how to get involved
This session is designed to put your voice at the centre of action planning and show you how it’s already being used to drive progress.
🌍 09:55am – 10:40am | Sustainability Principles Charter – NEW (45 mins)
Presented by Howden x RIA
Actionable guidance on making events more sustainable and why it matters for participants, partners and your bottom line. This session is practical, not theoretical, and offers the first look at the RIA Event Organisers Channel collaborative - Sustainability Principles Charter.
✅ Additions to reinforce value:
Highlights how aligning to sustainability standards like ISO 20121 can cut costs, manage waste, and improve operations
Case examples from Howden’s own sustainability initiatives and how they translated into efficiency and brand trust
Easy-to-follow checklists and planning templates to help implement your Charter commitments immediately
✳️ 10:40am – 11.10am - Exclusive Session (30 mins)
Shifts & Trends in Real Time – USA & Europe
Exclusive session hosted by haku
haku is the trusted technology partner behind many of the world’s leading running events, delivering an AI-powered native CRM that unlocks full participant insights to drive loyalty, engagement, and revenue growth. Selected by European Athletics to power registration and CRM for the 2025 and 2027 European Running Championships, haku has proven success at the highest level of endurance sport. haku supports leading organisations - including New York Road Runners, Vienna City Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, runDisney, Marathongruppen, and more - through a combination of powerful technology and strategic partnership.
🌍 Why It Matters for UK & Ireland
With deep experience across major U.S. and European events, haku brings a unique perspective on evolving runner behaviour, CRM maturity, and tech-driven engagement. This session will highlight key trends and actionable insights UK & Ireland organisers can apply to elevate their strategy and deliver stronger results..
☕ 11:10am to 11.55am - Coffee and Group Networking (45 mins)
Coffee and chat together around key topics for event organisers - a session to get to know your fellow event organisers - details to be shared to all attending.
RIA + RIA Event Organise Board Members in attendance to feedback and help shape the sessions and facilitate member to member chat.
🍽️ 12:00pm – 13:30pm
Lunch – Burleigh Restaurant
Lunch available from 12:00pm in Burleigh Restaurant or grab and go lunch for anyone travelling home - thank you for attending the 1st dedicated RIA Event Organiser Members Sessions!
Optional networking or working space - continues PM in Burleigh bar area – or prep for Running Industry Awards Gala Dinner this evening from 6pm - details here.