The conference is made unique by the large number of speakers representing international interests as well as those from outside the racing industry giving attendees access to a new pool of knowledge. This year’s agenda focuses on five topic areas of the greatest interest and importance to the racing industry in both North America and abroad including:
Field Size
A comprehensive look at: declining field size using studies done in the global marketplace to tackle the issues and metrics associated with field size, where it is growing, where it’s declining and the effect on the bottom line; new ideas and methods of distributing the revenues of racing that will shake up the systems currently in use; the unsustainable traditional model of running 4-5 days a week with nine races per day.
Selling the Racing Product
An insider’s perspective of: Hoosier Park’s innovative approach to marketing racing and creating as much excitement at the races as you find in the casino; the PAC 12’s successful strategies the racing industry can use to grow its customer base and new initiatives that rethink the fan experience: fantasy sports as a solution to expand the racing market and bring the sport to a younger generation of players to the sport.
Racing’s Place in the Digital World
Presentations discussing: digital technology you can afford to improve the customer experience both on and off track; how to engage influencers, maximize and measure the results of your social media efforts; the “how to” of making everything mobile - from the message to the product and service delivery; the why, what and how to of maximizing content and providing exceptional service to your customers.
Global Wagering
The Global Simulcast Marketplace again offers the unique opportunity for buyers and sellers of global racing content to meet and interact. Panel sessions presented address: the latest changes and trends as well as an update on the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s simulcast expansion into new markets; the high number of rejections by credit card companies on gambling funding transactions and what people are doing to fund accounts and avoid fraud.
The Regulatory Process
A closer look at the process used in regulating racing: Racing Victoria’s control room illustrates how cutting-edge technology creates a level playing field for tracks of all sizes around the country in both wagering and officiating; the Racing Officials Accreditation Program creates a true-to-life steward’s stand on the conference stage showing the processes used and issues dealt with on a daily basis by the stewards; highlighting and dealing with current issues facing racing’s regulators today.
The conference also includes a luncheon during which The Turf Publicists of America’s Big Sport of Turfdom award winner is announced and presented as well as the Race Track Industry Program’s yearly award winners.
The Racing Officials Accreditation program is offering up to 16 hours of continuing education credit for officials who attend the entire track of regulation-based sessions or the entire Symposium. Please see the ROAP site for the details.
For a complete listing of all speakers and full panel descriptions go to: www.ua-rtip.org/symposium
