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Contact Us Race Directors' Meeting
November 15-17, 2021 | Marriott Hollywood Beach| Hollywood, FL
Schedule of Events for the 2021 RRM Race Directors' Meeting and Trade Exhibit
Note the new weekeday schedule (Monday - Wednesday)
MONDAY, November 15
2:30 P.M. - 5:45 P.M. Packet Pickup
2:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Trade Exhibit
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)
TUESDAY, November 16
7:45 A.M. - 8:45 A.M. 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. - 10:00 A.M. Insurance
Insurance is critical. Events need to weigh cancellation, cyber, weather, liability and numerous other types of insurance. The marketplace and coverages are evolving. With the slew of cancellations and postponements over the last year, events need to understand force majeure clauses and policy definitions when evaluating new or existing policies. We will analyze everything from deductibles, exclusions, terrorism, virtual event insurance and the elements that impact coverage such as government action and pandemics. What to look for and what to be wary of?
Faculty: Jon Neill
Moderator: Phil Stewart
10:00 A.M. - 10:20 A.M. Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Coffee Break
10:20 A.M. - 11:20 A.M. Volunteers: The Life Blood of Your Event
Volunteers, in many ways, are the lifeblood of events. While sponsorship is central for funding, the volunteers, under the leadership of event staff, can make or break an event. How has the appearance of COVID-19 impacted the volunteer arena?
How do you go about filling key posts? What are critical talents for key positions? There are tiers of volunteers, and the volunteer leader in an area needs particular skills. Once you have a team in place, how do you motivate them leading up to and through the event? What kinds of rewards are best and how do you differentiate awards for different levels of volunteers? How do you take on the role of personnel director? What do you do when things go awry and how do you terminate a volunteer?
What do you do when things go awry, and how do you terminate a volunteer?
Faculty: Becky Lambros
Moderator: Jeff Darman
11:20 A.M. - 11:40 P.M. Gatorade Endurance Break
11:40 A.M. - 12:40 P.M. The Future of Road Racing Media Coverage
This session will detail the changing media landscape and how the many new “channels” fit into a strategy for events. Obviously traditional media is still important, but as outlets and demographics of the sport evolve, so must media strategy. Old ways of promotion are passé; we will explore how to innovate and make the most of new platforms.
Faculty: Chris Chavez
Moderators: Phil Stewart
12:40 P.M. - 2:15 P.M. Lunch Break and Trade Exhibit Visits
2:15 P.M. - 4:20 P.M. COVID-19: Where Have We Been, Where Are We Going?
The catastrophic impact on the world and our sport has resulted in business upheavals, event cancellations, job losses, a fear factor for the future and various “new models” going forward. Our panel of experts will discuss COVID-19’s impacts in medical, legal, organizational, psychological, and financial areas and give their views on the future and path forward.
Faculty: Jean Knaack, Dave McGillivray, Jon Neill, Dr. George Chiampas
Moderator: Jeff Darman and Phil Stewart
4:30 P.M. - 5:15 P.M. Trade Exhibit Break
5:15 P.M. -6:15 P.M. Ashworth Awards Race Directors’ Reception in Conjunction with the Trade Exhibit
Talk with exhibitors of awards, competitor numbers, banners, timing products, apparel, running organizations, online registration, apps, other web services, and more. It’s a relaxed opportunity to meet fellow race directors, the faculty and exhibitors in an informal atmosphere.
6:15 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. MarathonGuide.com Keynote Dinner - Liz Dolan
Liz Dolan is recognized as one the world’s leading marketers, having served as Chief Marketing Office at NIKE, The Oprah Winfrey Network, National Geographic and Fox Sports International. She was also on the marketing team that made the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup the most successful women’s sporting event in history.
Currently she leads Hayward Magic, a partnership of marketing + communications experts working to engage a new generation of young track and field athletes and fans. She is also on the Board of Directors of World Athletic Championships Oregon22, set for July 15 - 24, 2022 in Eugene, OR, and she is a founding member of Oregon Sports Angels.
Liz has been named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Sports, 100 Most Powerful Women in Cable, and Woman of the Year in Sports.
Liz also co-hosts and is a co-creator of the long-running, award-winning podcast Satellite Sisters. A pioneering podcast for women, Satellite Sisters is part of Wondery/Amazon Music and has won 13 Gracie Allen Awards for excellence from American Women in Media.
Liz will discuss how the sport can better position itself in the future – create more energized fans and use digital media platforms to be a bigger part of popular sports culture.
The dinner includes the announcement and presentation of the MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Lifetime Achievement Award.
WEDNESDAY, November 17
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. Virtual Runs
A discussion of the economics, logistics, and continuing income potential of virtual events. Will they endure post COVID -19 crisis ebbs? What platforms work best, fulfillment options, entry fee range and a look at a few case studies.
Faculty: Heidi Swartz
Moderators: Phil Stewart
10:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. Gatorade / Trade Exhibit Break
10:30 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. Diversity and Workplace Best Practices
How do you implement change and assure events and clubs measure up? Allegations of prejudice and maintaining a toxic workplace resulted in the esteemed New York Road Runners Club replacing its CE0, other staff members and making major changes in how to operate. While the focus of our events is on providing a fun athletic experience, it is imperative that your staff look much like your community and is sensitive to all kinds of participants and members. A strategy for inclusion is a must in today’s world in terms of staffing, sponsorship and outreach.
Faculty: Jean Arthur
Moderators: Phil Stewart
11:45 A.M. Trade Exhibit Closes