Day two of the 37th annual Symposium on Racing & Gaming was filled with updates from the NTRA sessions and lessons on corporate leadership and social responsibility
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Dale Dauten, syndicated columnist, best-selling writer and founder of The Innovators’ Lab, returned to the Symposium with more advice on creating a culture of innovation. Dauten highlighted examples from other industries of creative approaches to problem solving and stressed the importance of experimentation. He also featured Remington Park’s Scott Wells as an innovative racing industry leader. The panel was sponsored by the HTA.
“We are proud to host the NTRA’s annual sessions, as well as our partnership with the HTA,” said RTIP director Doug Reed.
The NTRA held its annual sessions updating the industry of its efforts over the past year. At the top of the list is NTRA’s federal legislative advocacy. The recent midterm elections have created an opportunity for internet gambling legislation to progress allowing for legal online poker. The NTRA has lobbied for horse industry benefits, chiefly the repeal of the federal withholding tax on winning wagers.
NTRA also announced its newest Safety and Integrity Accredited track, Canterbury, and the full accreditation of Sunland Park. An additional panel announced the NTRA Advantage program could see some new additions to its corporate partners in 2011.
Finally, the NTRA Marketing Summit highlighted the growth of the National Handicapping Challenge and featured 2007 champion Stanley Bavlish. SocialSphere’s John Della Volpe described the growth of social media and how racing has embraced Facebook, as well as the growing platform of online newspapers.
The Symposium wraps up on Thursday with a special panel on boutique ADWs as well as a screening of the documentary "John Henry: The Steel Driving Racehorse". The Funniest Horse Racing Video will also be crowned in Thursday’s final session.
(RTIP)