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If you are looking for a place to collaborate with scores of race directors in an intimate venue then look no further than the annual Road Race Management Race Directors’ Meeting this December.

Experience multiple sessions from an impressive faculty who prepare well in advance so their presentations are filled with information you can use each and every day. With a limit on the number of attendees you will find the many social settings ideal for reconnecting with old friends and a great place to make new ones. The boutique beachfront hotel adds to the atmosphere that is well known for its value and many benefits.

Join us December 13-15 in Hollywood FL. Register by July 22nd to secure the Early Bird price of $785.

Click Here for Faculty Bios

2:30 P.M. - 5:45 P.M. Packet Pickup

2:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Trade Exhibit

4:30 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. First Timers' Session

Two veteran attendees, Michelle Juehring (Director, Quad-City Times Bix 7) and Craig Ottinger (Director of Operations, Hightech Signs) will give you some tips on how to get the most out of the meeting.

6:00 P.M. - 7:15 P.M. MarathonGuide.com/Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Welcome Reception  (includes MarathonFoto/Road Race Management “Race Director of the Year” Award, presented by MYLAPS Sports Technology)

7:45 A.M. - 8:45 A.M. Ashworth Awards Continental Breakfast

8:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Trade Exhibit

8:00 A.M. - 8:45 A.M. Packet Pickup

8:45 A.M. - 8:55 A.M. Welcome - Phil Stewart

8:55 A.M. - 9:55 A.M. Sponsorship Overview Current and Future Climate

Who is sponsoring road races these days? What are the trends? How to develop a realistic sponsor acquisition strategy and how to keep your sponsors coming back?

Faculty: Andrea Dowdy

Moderator: Phil Stewart

9:55 A.M. - 10:20 A.M. Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Coffee Break

10:20 A.M. - 11:20 A.M. Calculating Race Needs

How do new and old events determine how many shirts, medals, toilets, refreshments, and other items to order? Event directors don’t want to run out, but they also don’t want to waste money. Some events have developed some basic equations, while for some “seat of the pants” decisions are the norm. What happens – and what are the costs - if you miscalculate?

Faculty: Dave McGillivray

Moderator: Jeff Darman

11:25 A.M. - 11:45 P.M. Gatorade Endurance Break

11:45 A.M. - 12:45 P.M. AI Impact Today and Tomorrow

What ramifications does this technology present? What are the benefits and what are the potential perils? What are the financial aspects? This is a complicated area, and many event directors are clueless. This session will attempt to demystify AI.

Faculty: Doug Thurston

Moderators: Jeff Darman, Phil Stewart

12:45 P.M. - 2:15 P.M. Lunch Break and Trade Exhibit Visits

2:15 P.M. - 3:20 P.M. The Ins and Outs of Event Insurance An expert in this area will give an overview of the insurance market today and where he sees it evolving in the next year or two. What new if any offerings are on the horizon and what coverages may be imperiled? How should you practice risk management to reduce your risk? What needs to be included in your waiver and is it enforceable? What are some common misconceptions about event insurance?

Faculty: Terry Diller

Moderator: Phil Stewart

3:20 P.M. - 3:40 P.M. Break

3:40 P.M. - 4:40 P.M. Permitting - All You Need to Know

This will be an audience participation session led by three faculty members who have seen it all when it comes to getting permits. Come prepared to throw your permitting nightmares into the mix. What are some useful tips you can learn from others? What is the range of costs for permits and police or other municipal services?

Faculty: Doug Thurston, Dave McGillivray and Andrea Dowdy

Moderator: Phil Stewart

4:40 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. Trade Exhibit Break

5:30 P.M. -6:30 P.M. Race Directors’ Reception in Conjunction with the Trade Exhibit

Talk with exhibitors of awards, competitor numbers, banners, timing products, apparel, running organizations, online registration services, apps, other web services and more. It’s a relaxed opportunity to meet fellow race directors, the faculty and exhibitors in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. MarathonGuide.com Keynote Dinner

The dinner includes the announcement and presentation of the MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Lifetime Achievement Award.

Speaker: To Be Determined

8:30 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. Breakfast Snacks and Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Coffee Break

8:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. Trade Exhibit

9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Participant Demographics

Who is running our races today and how does it compare to the past? Where are new runners going to come from? What are the demographics going to look like going forward? We will help you develop strategies to best reach new audiences including running crews and other social organizations.

Faculty: Laurel Park

Moderator: Phil Stewart

10:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. Gatorade / Trade Exhibit Break

10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. Elite Athletes in Your Event

Events' elite athlete budgets have taken a hit in recent years, sometimes being eliminated entirely. A race director makes the case that elite athlete participation can enhance your event in numerous ways and shouldn't always be the first item on the chopping block. He will look at various ways you can include an elite athlete component in races with both small and large budgets, and how that can positively impact your event.

Faculty: Eli Asch

Moderators: Phil Stewart

11:30 A.M. Trade Exhibit Closes

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