These are topics for RTBC – 2016:

9:15 – 10:00 A.M. Session I – Market Research

What are the latest trends in motorsports?  Is the industry in decline?  The numbers behind the sport: tracks, sanctions, driver, cars, etc.

  • Gavin Knapp | Director | SEMA

10:00 – 10:45 A.M. Session II – Risk Management

Protection – most important factor – on and off the track.  Cost – do you get what you pay for ?  Insurance – what are the difference in policy types? Waiver and Release – is it enforceable? Litigation – are the courts friend or foe?

  • Lauri Eberhart | Attorney | Apollo Sports Law Group
  • Darren Hickey | Vice President | Gregory & Appel Insurance
  • Jeff Ladd | President | Sports Insurance Specialists, LLC

10:45 – 11:00 A.M. Morning Break

11:00 – 11:45 A.M. Session III – Track Operations

Lots of moving parts – can it be done efficiently?  Team effort – how to interact with the various entities? Procedures – is there a manual or guidelines? 

  • Dave Dusick | Founder | Race Track Engineering
  • Shaun Johnson | Executive Director of Operations | Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • John Kalejta | Manager | Geobrugg North America, LLC

11:45 – 12:30 P.M. Session IV – Marketing

Non-Traditional Promotion – what is working? Metrics – which benchmarks do sponsors evaluate? Millenials – how can we can connect with them?

  • Brad Oleshansky | CEO | M1 Concourse
  • Scott Peterson | Director – Motorsports | TSMGI
  • Jason Rittenberry | CEO | Kentucky State Fair Board

12:30 – 1:30 P.M. Lunch – Keynote Speaker

The Brickyard: 100 Years. What is next? Racing’s Institution – How will it stay relevant? 

  • Doug Boles | President | Indianapolis Motor Speedway

1:30 – 2:15 P.M. Session V – Next-Gen Motorsports Businesses

Technology – is it the key to our future?  How are businesses using it to grow? Start-Ups – what are the challenges?   

  • Brian Ghidinelli | Founder | MotorsportReg.com
  • Josh Holt | Co Founder, Director of Business & Marketing | MyRacePass.com
  • Neeraj Sharma | Head of Growth | Rally Bus
  • John Waraniak | Vice President | SEMA

2:15 – 3:00 P.M. Session VI – Sanctions

Niche competition – is this the future? Spectators vs. Participants – which business model works?  Social Media – how do they use it?

  • Ron Knoch | President | DIESEL Motorsports
  • Chris Lencheski | CEO | IRG Sports and Entertainment
  • Jim Liaw | President | Formula Drift
  • Chip Pankow | President | Red Bull Global Rally Cross

3:00 – 3:15 P.M. Afternoon Break

3:15 – 4:00 P.M. Session VII – Track Design and Venue Utilization

Facility layout – what do customers want ? Safety – how to incorporate? Cost – can a return on investment be justified? 

  • Dafydd Broom | Design Director | Apex Circuit Design
  • Christian Epp | Director | Tilke GmbH & Co. KG
  • Ben Willshire | Managing Director | Driven International Ltd.
  • Jarno Zaffelli | Director | Dromo Circuit Design

4:00 – 4:45 P.M. Session VIII – Media

True stories – can they be told?  Print – what are the challenges? Advertisers and Sponsors – how loud is their voice?

  • Paul Pfanner | CEO | Racer Magazine
  • John Oreovicz | Journalist | ESPN
  • Ralph Sheheen | Co-Founder | Turn 3 Media

4:45 P.M. Networking Reception