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This year's panels reflect current trends in topics including racino and track operations, regulatory matters, wagering issues, marketing and stakeholder interests.
Betfair was once considered an outsider and threat to the North American pari-mutuel industry. But now, the company that broke the mold when it came to wagering on horse racing is a major player in the domestic ADW arena. Gerard Cunningham, president (US) of Betfair, discusses the direction they plan to take in the North American market and the future of its recent purchase, TVG.
The panelists will discuss what jockeys can do to help promote the sport .
NBC teamed up with Churchill Downs to create a success story for racing by tying Derby themes and events to main stream television programming. Learn how racing successfully approached and recruited non-core customers by using these non-traditional avenues.
Progress is being made on establishing a broader Interstate Compact for Racing. The panel will discuss the legislation that is being proposed in New York, model legislation that other states can use to become a member of the compact, as well as the broad provisions of the compact. After the presentation, members of the industry wide compact steering committee will be available to address audience questions concerning the compact from the various industry view points.
NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance Independent Monitor Honorable Tommy Thompson will announce the findings of the review of the Alliance in its first year of existence. The report will summarize findings after weeks of interviews with representatives of many different areas of Thoroughbred Racing.
A working group discussion about issues and possible solutions to problems regarding the protocol for merging pools on an international basis.
Racing has found its way on to the big screen as well as into the homes of millions of American on a weekly basis. The highly successful The First Saturday in May introduced a new audience to the trials and tribulations of getting a horse to the Derby and the amazing cast of characters found on the backstretch of the racetrack. The general public is getting an insider's look at the industry while following the lives and careers of riders on Animal Planet's Jockeys. The much anticipated movie about Secretariat, currently in production, has the potential to positively influence a very large segment of the general population about racing.
Panelists will walk through the process of getting these stories on film – understanding the needs of the film/television industry and facilitating the production of the film or television programming.
In short – this is a great opportunity for racing. What can the industry do to make it happen – just how much time and effort is required?
The speaker will discuss how various issues being addressed by the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance will effect Jockey's.
Representatives of horsemen, the Jockey Guild and journeyman riders discuss issues of great interest to both parties including the current scale of weights; what’s included in this weight, what’s not; how to effectively communicate actual weight to the betting public; mount fees and new regulations on equipment and its usage.
Participants report on the new products and services available to the racing industry.
As wagering moves to new and different platforms, panelists explore how racing can use technology to enhance and promote its activities. What’s the new technology that increases the efficiency of ADWs? Is it time to go to all self-service? Is this the cutting-edge business model? These questions and more will be answered.
The amount of video available in the Internet has exploded and improved exponentially in quality. Content that was once guarded and protected from mass distribution is now readily posted for all. Has the racing industry embraced this new opportunity and all its new distribution channels? What can racing do to harness the potential of this growing technology? What’s the business model? How do you market it? And is there a way to monetize it?
Panelists discuss the current operational, economic and technological trends on the gaming side of the house. From discussing server-based games to surviving double digit declines in business, panelists look at the very competitive environment in which they exist and how this ever increasing level of competition affects the day-to-day operations and potential for capital investment in the business.
Panelists discuss issues, which can be especially sensitive when addressing them in the general population, associated with animal safety and welfare. The collection, reporting and use of injury data as well as related animal welfare initiatives will be presented. Clearly articulating the good work being done by the industry to the general public, without initiating outrageous headlines, will also be discussed.
Panelists look at the evolution of the racino movement and provide a comparison of the legislative approaches used by different jurisdictions to bring additional gaming to the track. From the pioneers to the “new kids on the block,” panelists look at the good, the bad, and the ugly. What's worked, what hasn’t and the economic realities associated with going from a race track to a racino in both the United States and Canada.
Highlights of track accreditations from 2009 will be shared, focusing on Best Practices in every area of the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance Code of Standards. Also, a preview of changes for the 2010 Code of Standards will be discussed. The focal point of changes in 2010 will be standards adopted in the Wagering Integrity area.
Drug testing has gone far beyond the traditional “it’s there or it’s not” – now “how much?” has become the question and bringing with it the idea of acceptable thresholds. Panelists answer the questions - Why do we need them? How should they be set? What are the ramifications and unintended consequences we need to watch out for or protect against?
Regional entertainment is becoming a big industry around the country. The introduction of card rooms, table games and sports betting requires a new look at how race tracks utilize and develop their property and facilities. This panel looks at how race tracks can expand their business model and move toward becoming a destination entertainment experience, adding overnight accommodations and additional entertainment opportunities to their physical plant.
This special forum offers students of the RTIP the opportunity to present their projects in an informal setting. Don't miss this chance to meet students and discuss the findings of their work with them.
Everyone knows the newest marketing “buzz word” – social media. This panel goes a step further with researchers who will present the latest findings on how people actually use social media and discuss ways in which the racing industry can use it to their advantage.
Aaron Smith — Research Specialist, Pew Internet & American Life Project
Dale Dauten has spent over a decade studying leaders and how they may truly be titled "A Gifted Boss". He has learned how the most effective leaders free themselves from bureaucracy and get innovation from their teams. Dale will share how idea generation and innovation can become a natural occurrence at your track or organization.
Learn the immediate steps which will reshape and revitalize the way you lead the racing industry while you increase innovation, morale and employee standards on the journey up the spiral of achievement.
The popular panel session during which symposium attendees have the opportunity to view racing commercials from around the world and then vote for their favorites is back for 2009. The People’s Choice Award for the most popular racing commercial is announced and presented at the culmination of the session.