NTRA CEO Rooney, HISA Part of the RTIP Symposium
Enrollments to the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program’s Global Symposium on Racing — the sport’s largest and most inclusive annual conference — are growing to a multi-year high just days from the 47th renewal, December 6-8. According to RTIP president Robert Hartman, the spike in demand after a year off due to COVID-19 was one reason, according to RTIP president Robert Hartman, as well as a series of timely regulatory boards that address important issues, such as the Equestrian Safety and Integrity Act, sports betting and course size.
The three-day symposium at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort outside of Tucson, Ariz., features a series of workshops and caucuses on Mondays two days of panelists and panel discussions. The community is open to all attendees. For the first time, a live stream of the Symposium will be streamed online for $195 with all proceeds going back to RTIP, with permission from the Roberts Communications Network.
The three sessions devoted to HISA made up the bulk of Tuesday morning’s agenda, an unprecedented depth at the Symposium.
Charles Scheeler, chair of the Equestrian Safety and Integrity Authority, will present an overview of HISA followed by reports from members of the Race Safety and Anti-Doping and Drug Control Committees. . The afternoon session will focus on HISA’s impact on horse racing and racing exploitation with Janet VanBebber, executive director of the American Jockey Association, who has enjoyed a long career as an owner. owner and coach, and Russell Williams, president of the American Chariot Racing Association.
Also on Tuesday morning, keynote speaker Tom Rooney will give his first official address to the industry since being appointed president and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Former US congressman, longtime horse owner and breeder is expected to outline his vision and priorities for the organization.
Other highlights
Keeneland’s Shannon Arvin is one of the track executives to speak at this year’s Symposium
A quartet of executives watching on Tuesday afternoon made up the most powerful session of the conference. Shannon Arvin’s Keeneland, Aidan Butler of 1/ST Racing, David O’Rourke of the New York Racing Association and Josh Rubinstein of Del Mar will discuss what they believe the industry should focus on going forward, including more collaboration across lines.
“The older leadership is retiring, and these four represent the next generation of leaders,” said Hartman. “People really want to know where this group thinks the industry is headed.”
1 Aidan Butler of S/T Racing
For better or for worse, the only traditional aspect missing from this Symposium’s agenda is that any session can be considered “pleasant”. Instead, the product line conveys an urgent need to face serious problems that the industry is running out of.
December 8 kicks off with ideas for how to scale up the pitch even as race and starter totals drop at an alarming rate. Ben Huffman’s Churchill Downs and Keeneland, Rick Hammerle’s Oaklawn Park, Mike Lakow’s Gulfstream Parkand Tom Robbins’ Del Mar will reflect on innovations and investments that attract new runners and, in turn, develop the steering wheel and bottom line.
Later in the day, experts from Florida and New York will discuss strategies to protect funds from other forms of gaming that support the racing industry. Lawmakers interested in “separating” casinos from their obligations to the tracks could mark the end of their state races, as happened with mining racing in Florida.
Other bets that will be tested on Wednesday are sports betting and fixed odds on racing. In the sportsbook, executives from FanDuel, Caesars, ATG and Sporttrade will explain how horse racing fits into their plans. The fixed-odds session will summarize what has worked and hasn’t worked in New Jersey, as well as what future legalization might look like in Colorado and other jurisdictions of interest.
Racing Secretary Summit
Monday’s inaugural Racing Ministerial Summit is proving to be a key driver of the first-time Symposium registrations. The 4 1/2-hour workshop follows a panel session between Hartman and former NYRA senior vice president of racing operations Martin Panza, who also produces field size boards.
“Racing secretaries have never had an opportunity like this to meet their peers, socialize and learn from each other,” Hartman said.
Sponsors Equibase and InCompass are offering travel credits up to $750 to incentivize office workers to attend the race. Race Secretary Summit does not require Symposium registration.
“If you’re only staying that one night, $750 could easily cover your entire trip — flights and hotels,” Hartman says. “If someone from the racing office only knows about a thing or two that InCompass can do that they don’t, it could save hundreds of man hours and be worth tens of thousands of dollars.”
New RTIP Leader
This will be the first Symposium hosted by Hartman, who was hired to succeed Wendy Davis as head of RTIP in June.
“This is an important fundraiser for the show,” he said. “Without the Healthy Symposium, all of our other efforts would be in jeopardy. I just want people to go back to the racetrack and their offices and tell everyone they’ve learned their lesson. How much. That’s how we’ll have more people next year.”
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/255298/ntra-executive-rooney-hisa-part-of-rtip-symposium NTRA CEO Rooney, HISA Part of the RTIP Symposium