What is TrailCon?

Logistically TrailCon is the logical bridge between two great American trail events: Broken Arrow and Western States. Placed in the days between, and in the same resort village TrailCon tries to bring the American trail community together – both brands and normal runners (I need a better word for this, I hate to call them just “consumers”). With a mix of fun activations and business-focused panels TrailCon tries to meet both stakeholders and keep them entertained, engaged, and happy.

It’s a good concept. A great and obvious idea that needed to happen. There’s no better place and time on the calendar for the American trail running community to come together.

This year I went for the first time wearing my film festival hat, and bringing my journalist’s notebook. Did I have fun? Yes. I met tons of people, made connections, and achieved my goals. Will I come back – most likely also yes. It’s THE place to be and maybe even a better place for trail-related conversations and meetings than TRE. You don’t have to wade through road runners to find your people and I mean, it’s definitely in a more beautiful location.

My setup was light, I didn’t have a booth, and so evaluating the success of my trip based on ROI I can say it was worth it.

On a more objective level did I find places that were lacking and things to improve on, yes. But I’m hopeful, as ‘Raccoon Media Group’ – the entity behind TrailCon which has the conference experience, and has lots if it also has deep pockets. TrailCon is a long game, I would wager.

Where TrailCon struggled this year (and I am told last year as well) is a clear definition – and communication – for who it’s for. Is it for professionals working in the trail running space or is for the public, just regular trail runners? Were there enough offerings to entice either group to come back?

• There were no evening activities.
• A few workshops and hands on experiences would help the overall attraction.
• No products were announced. Which made sense looking at the product release calendar, but the media there struggled trying to find a narrative to “write home about”.

Maybe there should be two clearly defined tracks one can jump in between and choose events, workshops, and activities from. TrailCon clearly could use more public participation, and it would benefit from conversations with real meat on them, not just surface level “podcast panels” in the blazing sun. Things are trending in the right direction and I don’t get the feeling that the folks who steer the ship are standing in their way to make this what it can become. I’m encouraged and inspired to think more about this platform and how it can be used in the future to expand and build upon.