Race Track Industry Program

Monday Events

• RCI Model Rules Meeting

• The first annual Conference on Officiating Horseracing hosted by The Racing Officials Accreditation Program and The Race Track Industry Program. There is no charge for this one-day conference and it is open to all Symposium attendees.
  
  The conference is designed for racing officials, stewards, judges, racing commissioners and everyone who is interested in officiating and regulating racing. This conference is an excellent opportunity to better understand the issues and challenges faced on a day-to-day basis.
  
  A panel of stewards/judges from across the country will discuss: controversial race videos, “house rules” – how they work for track management and racing officials, issues dealing with the change from a whip to a “riding crop” and much more. Alan M. Foreman, leading attorney in racing law, will present issues such as: writing rulings, mitigating and aggravating factors in those rulings, penalties, suggested rule changes and how these changes will affect horseracing.
  
  Accredited racing officials, stewards and judges will earn 8 hours of Continuing Education credit.
  
  

  There is no charge for the event but you must register with ROAP to attend.

  Click here for the registration form.
  

Complimentary Breakfast for all Attendees

A Perspective for Racing – So Who in the World Thought Selling Shoes Online Would Work?

Zappos.com shows how customer service can open doors to entirely new distribution channels.

Speaker: Craig Adkins — Vice President, Services & Operations, Zappos.com

Racehorse Ownership – From Bloodstock to Stock Market

How will the evolution of models of horse ownership, from single owner to syndicates to equity shares change the way the game is played?

• Moderator/Speaker:
  Jeff Lifson — EVP, Midwest Operations, West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc.
  
• Speaker:
  Valentine Feerick — Chief Executive Officer, www.blood-ex.com
  

Measuring the Impact of Racinos on Racing

Reports from various jurisdictions will cover the goals and results and how the actual impact on racing can be measured, and whether it is enough to simply point to added purse money.

• Moderator/Speaker:
  Jack Ketterer — Administrator, Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
• Speakers:
  Kevin Kile — Gaming Operations Liaison, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
  Richard Thalheimer — President, Thalheimer Research Associates, Inc.

Luncheon featuring RTIP Awards and TPA Big Sport of Turfdom Award - plus an appearance by TPA award recipient Larry Jones

Mark Kaufman Workshop - The Power of Blogs

"Blogs, online communities and other forms of social networking are growing at an explosive rate. In these days of shrinking marketing budgets and expanding online technologies, it is becoming apparent that our fans are our most efficient, economical and persuasive means of spreading enthusiasm about horse racing. Panelists will discuss how blogs and other Web strategies can most effectively connect your organization to prospective and existing fans in cyberspace.

• Moderator:
  Eric Wing — President, Turf Publicists of America
• Speakers:
  Jonathan Chavez — Co-Founder and Director of Analytics, SocialSphere Strategies
  Bill Knauf — Assistant General Manager & Assistant V.P. Marketing Operations, Monmouth Park
  Patrick Patten — Writer, Thoroughbred Racing blog "Handride"
  Jennie Rees — The Louisville Courier - Journal

International Tote Protocol Meeting

Perceptions, Realities and Pressure:  Changing the Face of Racing

Can pressures from participants and the public change the way racing operates?  The safety, health and welfare of racing’s participants, both human and animal, are being scrutinized not only by the non-racing public but by “insiders” as well.  Panelists discuss the “hot topics” that are driving change.

• Moderator:
  Paul Estok — General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Harness Tracks of America
• Speakers:
  Jonathan Chavez — Co-Founder and Director of Analytics, SocialSphere Strategies
  Eimear Dolan — School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University
  Marsha Kelly — President, Kelly Media Consulting, Inc.
  Mike Stone — Executive Director, Winner's Federation
  

Looking in the Crystal Ball - What do not-for-profits see in our future?

Keeneland Association and NYRA have hired HOK Sport and Turnberry Consulting Ltd. respectively to make recommendations for their future. From facilities improvements to taking advantage of all modern technologies, two industry leaders give us a glimpse into that future.

• Moderator:
  Joe Harper — President and General Manager, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
• Speakers:
  Charles Hayward — President and CEO, New York Racing Association
  Nick Nicholson — President and CEO, Keeneland Association, Inc.
  

Evening Reception

Complimentary Breakfast for all Attendees

A Perspective For Racing — The Economy

Keynote speaker, Marshall J. Vest, director of the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management will discuss what the forecast looks like and how to position your organization for the future.

Gen Y and Baby Boomers – How to “Speak” to Racing’s Diverse Demographic Target Market

Learn about the difference in marketing to very different generations. Listen to experts and members of the current Gen Y discuss what appeals to each group. (This session will include a report from U of A students in the RTIP and their findings based on surveys of peer groups through Facebook, MySpace).

• Speaker:
  Fritz Widaman — Sr. Director of Marketing, NTRA
  
  

New Territories on the Racino Frontier

What have been the experiences of the jurisdictions recently implementing racino legislation? How are the jurisdictions faring and what suggestions do they have for jurisdictions hoping to implement such legislation?

• Moderator:
  Allison McCoy — Vice President of Business Development, Spectrum Gaming Group
  
• Speakers:
  Stephen Martino — Executive Director, Kansas Racing & Gaming Commission
  Mike Smith — President and CEO, Casino Association of Indiana
  Melinda Tucker — Director, Racetrack Gaming, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
  

Wagering, What's Up?

Speakers will address the latest on the wagering front both from an international and domestic perspective.

• Moderator/Speaker: Curtis Linnell — Director, Wagering Analysis, Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau
• Speakers:
  Willem Birkenstock — International Pooling Manager, Tabcorp - Wagering & Media
  Elizabeth Bracken — Director of Simulcasting, New York Racing Association
  Florence Gras — General Delegate, European Pari-Mutuel Association (EPMA)
  
  

Marketing the Racino – What Are We Selling? How? And Why?

As the playing field has been leveled again the game of monopoly turns to war – what must be done to win?

• Moderator:
  Joseph Witterschein — Vice President Marketing Services, The Innovation Group of Companies
  
• Speakers:
  Craig Border — Senior Account Executive, Marketing Results, Inc.
  Bill Breslo — Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Diamond Game
  Sharon Lair — Director of Marketing, Remington Park
  Jeffrey Smith — General Manager, Hoosier Park, Managing Director of Racing, Centaur, Inc.
  

Satellite Meetings

Evening Reception

Complimentary Breakfast for all Attendees

Trends in E-Marketing

Listen to the latest efforts being made to market in the new age of digital media.

Speaker: Ron McDaniel — CEO, Buzzoodle.com

Wagering Integrity? Gatekeepers and Monitors

Have we solved our problems? We've heard about wagering issues at past Symposiums, where are we today and what is being done?

• Moderator:
  Paul Bowlinger — Executive Vice President, Association of Racing Commissioners International
  
• Speakers:
  Kevin Mullally — General Counsel & Director of Government Affairs, Gaming Laboratories International, Inc.
  Isidore Sobkowski — President & CEO, Advanced Monitoring Systems, Inc.
  

Trends in E-Marketing Workshop

Speaker: Ron McDaniel — CEO, Buzzoodle.com

Who’s Big Brother? Federal/State Regulation Alternatives

When the 2008 congressional hearings put racing under the microscope, many stakeholders worried about Big Brother. Is the regulatory control of racing going to shift to a new scheme, if so what will it be? If not, what activities are happening to demonstrate that such a shift is not necessary?

• Moderator:
  Ed Martin — President, Association of Racing Commissioners International
• Speakers:
  Arthur Hancock, III — Owner, Stone Farm
  Jay Hickey, Jr. — President, American Horse Council
  Rick Masters — Attorney, Council of State Governments

Safety and Welfare Part 1, Racing Injuries – Reporting and Prevention

How should we report racing injuries, what should we do with the information reported and how can we use the information and enhanced science to help prevent injuries from happening?

• Moderator:
  James Gagliano — Executive Vice President, The Jockey Club
• Speakers:
  Dr. Rick M. Arthur — Equine Medical Director, California Horse Racing Board
  Dr. Wayne McIlwraith — Colorado State University
  Dr. Sue Stover — JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research, University of California-Davis

Safety and Welfare Part 2, Industry Initiative Updates

The latest initiatives and efforts moving forward to insure a safer tomorrow.

• Moderator:
  Dan Fick — Executive V. P. & Executive Director, The Jockey Club
  
• Speakers:
  Ed Bowen — The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Safety Committee
  Bob Elliston — Executive Chairman, NTRA, speaking on the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance
  Tom Ludt — Chair, Thoroughbred Action Committee
  

Attendee Networking