Your 1st Business Conference or your 4th at TRC25: Making the Most of your TRC Experience
How to Make TRC25 a Standout Success
Stepping into your first business conference - or your fourth - can feel like a mix of excitement and nerves.
A packed schedule.
New faces everywhere.
Big topics and even bigger opportunities.
It’s a lot but with a little planning and the right mindset, however this can become a career-defining moment and plenty of takeouts for the year ahead!
And you won’t be doing it alone.
On Sunday 7th December from 3pm to 5pm, we host our much-loved RIA Members Business Networking, powered by Sport in Mind. This session is designed to help every attendee - first-timers to seasoned attendees - feel welcome, supported, and ready to connect in a safe, relaxed, inclusive environment.
All you need to do is tick “attending” in your ticket registration path.
Arrive with an open mind - we will all look after you every step of the way!
Because at The Running Conference presented by haku, you are surrounded by fellow Running Industry Alliance (RIA) Members - a trusted, safe business space where collaboration comes naturally.
Top Tips for Making the Most of The Running Conference presented by haku (TRC25)
1️⃣ Set Clear Goals Before You Arrive
Ask yourself: Why am I going?
✔ To learn valuable insights?
✔ To grow your professional network?
✔ To explore new partnerships or products?
✔ To understand new industry trends?
All of the above!
Knowing your purpose helps you navigate the agenda with confidence.
2️⃣ Study the Agenda & Do Your Homework
Before arriving, take some time to:
📌 Review the schedule
📌 Pick out must-attend sessions
📌 Identify speakers, brands or fellow RIA Members that you want to meet in person
📌 Look for networking activation opportunities - there are many at TRC25
Topline agenda will help you do this quickly.
Preparation = meaningful conversations and better outcomes.
3️⃣ Perfect Your Introduction
You will hear “So, what do you do?” many times.
Prepare a short, friendly introduction that covers:
Who you are
What you do
Why you are attending
Why you joined RIA - is also helpful and if this is your 1st or 4th TRC!
Authentic and conversational beats polished and rehearsed.
4️⃣ Be Curious & Open-Minded
Some of the best learnings come from unexpected places.
✨ Attend a session just outside your usual niche
✨ Ask questions
✨ Explore new perspectives
Try to sit next to someone you do not know at the content sessions.
Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
5️⃣ Network: Focus on People, Not Business Cards
Networking doesn’t need to feel transactional, aim for:
• Genuine conversations
• Listening as much as speaking
• Offering value as much as asking for it
Often, the relationships that matter start here and last far beyond the event.
RIA do the heavy lifting of bringing everyone together - decision makers are in the room and everyone is a fellow RIA Member - a safe business space.
💡 Quick Tip: Share Your LinkedIn via QR Code - try this instead of a business card for ease and speed. Maybe take a photo of the new link to remind yourself after the event who you met and to remind you to follow up.
Open the LinkedIn app
Tap the search bar
Hit the QR code icon
Share or save your unique QR code for fast, easy connections
6️⃣ Stay Present & Take Care of Yourself
To thrive across three days:
✔ Dress comfortably and professionally
✔ Stay hydrated - TRC / SiS provides a waterbottle or bring your own to refill
✔ Take breaks between sessions
✔ Don’t miss the social evenings - they matter
Your confidence grows when you feel comfortable.
7️⃣ Capture Takeaways & Follow Up After the Event
Make notes during sessions, workshops, and conversations.
Post-conference:
Follow up on LinkedIn
Send thank-you messages
Share insights with your teams
Take action on new opportunities - this can be in the New Year also not all in December - take time to think about your response.
The conference doesn’t end at the venue — often, that’s when the momentum really begins and you have twelve months before TRC26, 6th to 8th December 2026 for your diaries.
Final Thought
The Running Conference presented by haku is your chance to:
🔥 Grow your network
🔥 Expand your thinking
🔥 Discover new opportunities
🔥 Connect with your industry community
🔥 Meet RIA Team and fellow RIA Members
🔥 Meet TIA Team and Members on the Monday evening (8th Dec) co-lab event - Let the Games Begin hosted by RIA x Scimitar x haku
Come prepared.
Stay curious.
Be bold.
And most importantly - enjoy it.
Not sure about something - ask anyone in the RIA Team - we will be wearing tops with Running Industry Alliance (RIA) on them.
TRC25 is not just an event…
It’s a step forward in your professional journey and a chance to meet fellow RIA Member face to face. 🚀
About TRC25
The Running Conference presented by haku (TRC25) is the flagship annual members’ conference of Running Industry Alliance (RIA).
📅 7th–9th December 2025
📍 Burleigh Court, Loughborough University
A curated, boutique B2B gathering for leaders across running, triathlon, and endurance sport, featuring:
Keynotes
Panels
Workshops
PUDS (Pop-Up Discovery Spaces)
AM Runs & activations
Networking evenings
The debut of the Running Industry Awards 2025 - a stand alone event taking place on Tuesday 9th December - Awards & Gala Dinner
A key theme for 2025:
Shaping the future of running - together
More info: www.therunningconference.com
Membership: www.runningindustryalliance.com/membership
Our Family of Websites include:
> Running Industry Alliance: www.runningindustryalliance.com
> The Running Conference presented by haku www.therunningconference.com
> Triathlon Industry Alliance: www.triathlonindustryalliance.com
> Running Industry Awards: www.runningindustryawards.com
