National HBPA Winter Convention Kicks Off Wednesday

Horsemen from around North America will converge on Clearwater Beach, Florida, beginning Wednesday for the National HBPA Winter Convention at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. The event, which runs through February 7, is hosted by the Tampa Bay Downs HBPA and will include an afternoon at the races at the Central Florida track.

The agenda will include a full slate of meetings and panels on Thursday, Friday and Saturday covering a wide range of topics, including establishing public relations, the importance of media awareness, the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance and NTRA Advantage, Thoroughbred aftercare and racetrack benevolence, how horsemen can work with and not against professional gamblers, and how to better market the sport. Also included in the agenda are presentations by the Association of Racing Commissioners International and the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians.

Horsemen will also meet to discuss important topics facing the industry, including medication, model rules and legislation.

Stella Thayer, president and treasurer of Tampa Bay Downs, is the keynote speaker for the convention.