HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Pennsylvania Gaming
Congress, which takes place March 12-13 at the Whitaker Center and
Harrisburg Hilton, this year includes a forum dedicated to key issues
facing the horse-racing industry.
The Racing Forum, presented by Widener University, features two
sessions that will appeal to thoroughbred-and harness-racing professionals:
-- Racing Industry Trends and Updates -- Industry leaders examine the
latest trends and issues, including food and beverage for the racetrack
customer, trends in technology, tote issues for today and the future,
and new operating practices.
-- Marketing to the Racing Patron -- With the introduction of slot
machines, many tracks have thousands of additional daily visitors. But
will this translate into increased attendance in the grandstands?
Marketing experts analyze strategies for boosting racing attendance.
"The advent of gaming in Pennsylvania presents an unprecedented
opportunity for the racing industry to improve its financial condition and
adopt new management practices that will lead to increased handles, larger
purses, and improved customer experiences. The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress
& Racing Forum will analyze these opportunities," said Nicholas Hadgis,
Dean of the School of Hospitality Management at Widener University.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress & Racing Forum is a first-class
conference that annually attracts more than 400 registrants, including
casino and racing executives, equipment manufacturers, analysts, investors,
public officials, attorneys, regulators and other industry-related
professionals.
The conference program features Keynote Addresses from Governor Edward
G. Rendell and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Chairman Thomas A. Decker,
a session with top executives from all six licensed racinos, a panel of
four of Wall Street's premier analysts, an analysis of slot machine
performance, a special presentation on casinos and land-use fights, and a
workshop for casino vendors.