The 2010 Atlantic Harness Racing Symposium is quickly approaching and organizers are firming up plans for the annual event

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This year’s symposium is being hosted by the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Council and will take place April 9, 10 and 11 in Truro, Nova Scotia.

The agenda for Friday, April 9 includes closed sessions for race track representatives and the Atlantic Harness Racing Industry Council. Friday evening will allow all participants to gather at 7:00 p.m. for an information session which will provide updates on the state of the harness racing industry in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

Conference organizers have planned a busy day for Saturday, April 10. The day will get off to an early start at 8:30 a.m. with registration and welcoming remarks, as well as updates from racetracks and the Atlantic Harness Racing Industry Council. Representatives from the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission and Standardbred Canada will be available for an open discussion, as well as a question-and-answer period at 10:15 a.m. An exciting session at 10:45 a.m. will highlight success stories from the four Atlantic Provinces.

The Honourable John MacDonell, Minister of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Lenore Zann, MLA for Truro – Bible Hill, will join participants for lunch. The afternoon agenda will continue with Darryl Kaplan, Manager & Editor of Trot Magazine, who will report on Standardbred Canada’s national initiatives. A presentation by Red Shores Director of Marketing and Media Relations Lee Drake will outline the new model for racing, gaming and dining underway in Prince Edward Island.

The symposium will also include the Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association annual Meeting at 3:00 p.m. and the Maritime Breeders Annual Meeting at 4:00 p.m.

The annual ASBA Awards Banquet, honouring the champions of the 2009 racing season and the recipient of the Glenn Kennedy Award, will take place on Saturday evening.

The Atlantic Harness Racing Symposium will take place at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre, 437 Prince Street, Truro. For tickets to the dinner & banquet, contact Diane Daniels at the Truro race office 902-893-9222 or 902-893-8075.

(Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association)