The 38th Annual Symposium on Racing & Gaming kicked off with a bang on Tuesday, opening with the panel session “Racing’s Young Guns”
.
Panelists, including two RTIP alumni, detailed the successes they have had as young racing executives thanks to the innovative strategies of their generation. Moderator Joe Harper, CEO, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, explained there is a “passion involved in youth” that he believes will save the racing industry from its struggling state. It is this passion that the RTIP cultivates in their students, and could easily be seen in the panel’s optimistic view of the long-term future of racing. Erich Zimny, director of racing operations at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town, supported his optimism for the sport by acknowledging “we have short-comings”, but they’re also “fixable if we choose to fix them.” Fellow alumnus Raj Mutti, regional general manager of British Columbia Racing, explained that in order to do this, they “stepped out of traditional horse racing marketing” and instituted more innovative methods.
The focus of technology in this year’s Symposium was also evident in the afternoon panel “Unique Computer Applications and their Uses in Racing” where RTIP student Alexis Garske introduced quick-response (QR) codes and the potential they offer marketing the sport to younger fans.
The RTIP Awards Luncheon was also held in the afternoon, where the Big Sport of Turfdom Award was presented to trainer Graham Motion for his professionalism with the media during Animal Kingdom’s Triple Crown trail. Outstanding students were also honoured with the presentation of scholarships and the Distinguished Student Award, which was given to RTIP senior Heather Shatz. Harness Tracks of America also presented the Stan F. Bergstein Messenger Award for outstanding service to the HTA and harness racing industry. The award was presented to the Race Track Industry Program. Luncheon was followed by student presentations of their senior “capstone” projects, where students presented their research to industry executives.
The Race Track Industry Program has gained worldwide recognition for its annual Symposium on Racing & Gaming held in Tucson, Arizona each December since 1974. The event attracts attendees from across the United States and around the globe with cutting-edge topics and trends of importance to the pari-mutuel industry.
The University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program offers both a Bachelor's and Master’s degree program with an emphasis on the pari-mutuel racing industry.
(RTIP)