The University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program has released the topics for the 2017 Global Symposium on Racing, which is to be held from December 4-6 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona.
Scheduled topics include:
Is it Possible to ‘Do More With Less’ When it Comes to Racehorses?
With the Thoroughbred foal crop suffering year after year declines in numbers, is holding steady with the previous year’s number considered a ‘win’ in this day and age? Just how much is the shrinking number of horses affecting the racing product? Fewer racing opportunities, smaller field size and stagnant wagering doesn’t help the horsemen or the tracks. Panelists examine where we are now, project what the future may look like, and discusses solutions to keep racing viable.
Handle Stagnation: How to Move the Needle Upward
There are more opportunities and methods available than ever before to wager on horse racing – on-track, through OTBs, and online through national ADWs. In addition, racing is the only sport that can take internet wagers across state lines. But handle isn’t growing. Are we driving the casual player out of the market? Is there an effective takeout for different types of players? What factors come into play and how can we correct them?
Hair Testing: Giving New Meaning to Having a Bad Hair Day
Out of competition hair testing has been successfully implemented in several jurisdictions for major American Quarter Horse events including the All American Futurity and Derby. In some cases, the testing resulted horses being prohibited from running in the finals of the multi-million dollar races. Panelists explain how this testing is done, how it’s held up to legal scrutiny and if there’s expansion of the program on the horizon.
Mark Kaufman Workshop presented by the Turf Publicists of America: How to Leverage the Handicapping Tournament Landscape to Advance the Sport
Horseplayers have more options than ever when it comes to finding a handicapping tournament to participate in on any given weekend. Representatives from the industry’s largest handicapping tournament events share insights on how their respective tournaments are growing this critical component of the sport, and how publicists, track management and others can leverage these efforts to advance the game. A horseplayer and past tournament winner will also be on hand to share their perspective on how to promote this important segment of the industry.
Maximizing Sponsorship Opportunities by Staying Close to Home
While sponsorships with national organizations and businesses are incredibly important to racetracks across the country, many tracks aren’t in the position to garner interest at that level. Panelists discuss the tremendous upside of regionally-based sponsorships, the best ways to approach and gain local market support as well as other ideas of how to monetize the racing product effectively.
To TV or Not to TV – ‘Why’ is the Question
Panelists discuss the goals as well as the thought process behind the presentation of major races, such as the Royal Ascot meeting and the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ races, in national broadcasts as well as providing racing content for local TV affiliates. Has the return been worth racing’s investment or is it too soon to tell? How high must the quality of the image and the product be? Where do we go from here?
Is Racing Ready for Legalized Sports Betting?
The entire gaming industry in the U.S. received hope when the Supreme Court decided to hear the New Jersey case on legalized sports betting. What are the ramifications of this case and potential legislation? Who will regulate sports betting if legalized wagering comes to pass? Will wagering be available online or only at a physical location; how does racing best position themselves to take advantage of this new market? Panelists will discuss these issues with the most cutting-edge information available.
International Simulcasting - The Expanding Asian Market
As the Asian market begins to open, so does a great opportunity to buy and sell racing content. Panelists discuss trends and updates for Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. What are the challenges and opportunities when working within these potentially lucrative markets?
Good News – Bad News: Expanded International Participants Means Expanded Compliance Issues for Tracks
Racehorse owners from the U.S. and abroad are critical to our racing industry, but foreign owners present unique challenges to the horsemen’s bookkeeper’s office. What are the U.S. withholding tax implications, residency documentation requirements, and other payment issues that are necessary to keep in mind when working with non-U.S. owners? Tax professionals with industry experience will weigh in on U.S. tax withholding requirements, permanent establishment and treaty considerations, industry challenges, and mitigating potential penalty exposure.
What’s up with Wagering?
Panelists discuss a number is issues associated with the wagering side of racing including: new ways to look at old wagers (The Pick 4), the ramifications of the new U.S. tax withholding laws, and progress on ADW credit card account funding issues.
Tools You Can Use: Content Marketing to the Modern Horse Racing Consumer
Marketing has changed more in the past three years than it has in the past fifty. Businesses in every industry are struggling to adapt quickly and efficiently to the new digital consumer. In this session, speakers will discuss the future of horse racing content and share tools to support social media live streaming, content scheduling, analytics and social media advertising that can help businesses within the racing industry evolve with the modern consumer.
Officiating the Races Around the World
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ included a new model rule in its international agreement addressing interference during the running of a race calling it a significant achievement in the quest for major racing rules to be harmonized across all member countries. As more countries move from what is referred to as a Category 2 philosophy (used in the U.S.) to Category 1, will there be pressure for North America to follow suit? Should the U.S. consider a change? Panelists will describe the difference in the philosophies as well present races for the audience to adjudicate using both methods.
XBTV Aftercare Film Festival: “The Importance of Thoroughbred Aftercare and Accreditation to the Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industries”
(Race Track Industry Program)