The final line-up of speakers has been completed for this year’s Symposium on Racing, presented by The University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program. The Symposium, held Dec. 7 through 11 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona, will feature panelists from the pari-mutuel industry, as well as related businesses and organizations, from around the world.

“At Ground Level” will present track surface experts discussing cutting edge research and design. Topics include reducing injuries, getting more miles from your turf course and a tour of new courses around the world. This session will be led by Joseph King, President, Joseph H. King Co. Ltd., and includes panelists Billy Byers, Track/Grounds Superintendent, Colonial Downs, and Edward T. Duffy, CEO, National Jockey Club/Sportsman’s Park. This session begins on Thursday, December 9 at 9:45 a.m. (MST).

“New Applications Of Technology For Racing” is a late entry to the original schedule and rounds out the variety of panels slated for Symposium week. Moderator Karl Schmitt Jr., Vice President, Corporate Communications, Churchill Downs will be joined by panel members: Leif Almgren, Manager, International Relations and Betting, AB Trav Och Galopp (Sweden); Paul Cross, General Manager, Wagering Development, TAB Limited (Australia); David Ruffra, President, McKinnie Systems, Inc.; and Dominic Schmitt, Executive Producer, barnesandnoble.com. Panelists will discuss resource allocation, innovations being implemented, and technologies that might be useful for racing in the near future. This session, also on Thursday, begins at 11:30 a.m. (MST).

Leading the session “Sports Marketing, Will It Work For Racing?—Compare and Contrast” will be moderator Randye Ringler, Director of Sponsorship Services, National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Panelists include: Jack Donovan, Vice President/Business Development, Tucson Sidewinders; G.W. Hail, Director of Marketing & Sales, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie; and Jim Ross, President, Arena Football League Properties. They will discuss how sports executives answer the questions: What can we learn from the marketing of other sports?; and How effective is cross-marketing with other sports? This session will be held on Friday, Dec. 10, at 12:00 p.m. (MST)