Triathlon Business International Releases Report on Industry Trends | Sports Destination Management

Triathlon Business International Releases Report on Industry Trends

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Jan 21, 2019

Triathlon Business International (TBI), an industry organization dedicated to the business of triathlon and its swim-bike-run sport components, announced the first of a series of three research reports focused on the perceptions, beliefs and opinions of race participants about their race experiences and what they’d like to see, or not see, in future races. This initial report was created through data collected from responses to 34 questions asked of race participants across the U.S. between May 2018 and July 2018. A total of 1,196 responses were received through a confidential Survey Monkey form.

The “Data for Race Directors” report will be followed by a report on inclusion/diversity within the sport, to be released the first part of December, and a third report on trends in the sport due in January 2019.

“We took the opportunity to ask our customers what we’re doing well and poorly,” said TBI President Dan Empfield. “Well over a thousand respondents endorsed the things we do that they like, and critiqued practices they wish were different. The enterprising business owner will take this feedback to heart.”

Other samples of findings include:

  • Race participants are most likely to register for races that provide signals of safety and fairness, i.e. a pool swim, well marshalled bike courses with no drafting, a reputable race director, roads closed to traffic, attentive volunteers, and single loop or out-and-back.

  • Escalating pricing structures are deemed fair, but fees appearing late into the registration process are deemed offensive by race participants and possibly reduce the rate of registration for these races.

  • The transfer/refund policy deemed most fair to both participants and race directors is the transfer of entry to races the following year.

“Data for Race Directors” and the two subsequent reports are available to TBI members as part of their membership benefits.  Nonmembers may purchase the reports at $125 each by contacting Jan@TriathlonBusinessIntl.com. Anyone may join Triathlon Business International, or renew their membership, and receive the report. Members also receive registration discounts to the 2019 Business Conference, January 25-27, 2019 in Tempe, AZ.

About Triathlon Business International: Triathlon Business International is an international organization dedicated to promoting the sport and business of triathlon. Founded by a coalition of industry leaders, the mission of TBI is to leverage the knowledge, talent, and resources of the leaders in triathlon to the benefit of the sport. Its overarching goals are to increase and retain advocates of and participants in triathlon, and to foster a positive image of the sport globally. You can follow TBI on Twitter and Facebook.

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