Endurance Sport Leaders Connect, Learn and Grow at USA Triathlon’s 2026 Endurance Exchange in Orlando

ORLANDO, Florida — USA Triathlon wrapped up its annual Endurance Exchange conference this weekend, bringing together hundreds of endurance sports professionals, coaches, race directors, club leaders, athletes and industry partners for three days of cutting-edge education, meaningful conversation and community building at the Caribe Royale Orlando.

Since its inception, Endurance Exchange has served as the premier gathering for the multisport community to connect, share best practices, and elevate their impact on athletes and organizations nationwide. This year’s event, held Jan. 9–11, featured an inspiring lineup of keynote speakers, expert presentations, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities designed to empower participants at every stage of the endurance ecosystem.

"Endurance Exchange was an incredible success, driven by the passion and expertise of our coaches, race directors, and speakers who came together to share best practices and elevate the endurance community," said Justin Trolle, USA Triathlon's Senior Education Manager and USA Triathlon Level III Certified Coach. "The depth of education, collaboration, and real-world takeaways made this a truly impactful weekend for everyone involved."

Held at the Caribe Royale Orlando, a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Resort, the destination setting encouraged both professional growth and personal rejuvenation. Conference participants enjoyed not only world-class education but also the chance to recharge, explore, and return home inspired.

The conference’s keynote address on Saturday, Jan. 10 was delivered by three-time Olympic gold medalist and NBC Olympic broadcaster Rowdy Gaines, who blended lessons in leadership, resilience, and high performance with his storied experiences in elite sport. Gaines’ message of perseverance and purpose resonated as a unifying theme throughout the weekend.

World-renowned elite endurance coach and sports scientist Dan Lorang also headlined the program, leading a Friday panel on The Coach–Athlete Relationship alongside U.S. Olympic medalist and IRONMAN 70.3 world champion Taylor Knibb, and USA Triathlon Project Podium coach Parker Spencer, along with his program's athlete, Reese Vannerson. Lorang also delivered a Saturday session on leading high-performance teams in endurance sports. Lorang’s insights into team culture, collaboration, and athlete development reinforced the value of blending science with human connection in coaching today.

Former professional triathlete Lisa Bentley gave a standout presentation on coaching and leadership, and how coaches can unlock their greatness to empower athletes to problem solve, get out of their comfort zones, find purpose, and bring out the greatness in each other. "When we lead with heart and connection, there are no limits to what our teams can accomplish," said Bentley, who also shared her inspiring journey as a professional athlete competing with Cystic Fibrosis. 

Across three days, attendees engaged in an expansive curriculum spanning coaching methodology, training science, performance psychology, race organization management and marketing, and community leadership. 

Highlights for coaching education sessions included deep dives into training adaptations, athlete monitoring, recovery science, and strategies for aging athletes, all grounded in the latest research and practical experience. USA Triathlon Certified Coaches earned 12 continuing education units (CEUs) by attending Endurance Exchange. 

Race directors learned via expert-led work sessions and roundtables with fellow race directors to set them up for their most successful season yet. Race director-specific content included medical, safety, and business planning centered around marketing best practices, finding and retaining athletes and how to make your event more sustainable. 

The annual USA Triathlon State of the Sport presentation also returned, offering valuable insights into current participation trends, demographic shifts and industry data to help inform strategic decision-making across clubs, races, and coaching practices.

Produced for the fourth consecutive year by Sponsorship Research International (SRi), the USA Triathlon State of the Sport Survey provides valuable insights on the current state of the multisport industry and USA Triathlon membership. USA Triathlon annual members, including coaches, race directors and club leaders were surveyed to help identify key trends in the endurance sports industry. 

Julie Zdziarski of SRi discussed the key trends and findings from the State of the Sport Survey, highlighting key findings that are helpful for race directors and coaches as they plan their business for 2026 and beyond.

Beyond the sessions, Endurance Exchange provided ample space for peer-to-peer networking, idea exchange, and career development. Attendees said the real value of the event came from the opportunity to connect with fellow leaders, problem-solve common challenges, and build relationships that will shape the future of endurance sport in the U.S.