From Stuart Doty
While concerned about economic conditions, more than 70% of promoters attending the just concluded RPM Promoters Workshop in Reno, Nevada, expect steady or increased ticket sales and car counts in 2010. The Annual Western Workshops attracted 551 people, from 121 tracks, associations, and series, 53 exhibiting companies representing 31 states and two Canadian provinces, and New Zealand. The three-day, 32-session Workshop opened with keynote remarks from the veteran race announcer and SiriusXM Radio host Dave Moody, who told gathered promoters that their announcers should be ringmasters and entertainers, adding color and excitement to the race programs they describe. Racing Promotion Monthly editor Stewart Doty urged promoters to build a unique racing brand and differentiate it from other entertainment. Forty-two other presenters, panelists, and speakers discussed what they had done to brand the racing at their tracks and to make their brand unique in the marketplace.
Among sessions presented were: “Elbow Grease Promotion,” discussing what numerous tracks had done to adapt traditional promotional techniques to the digital age; “Recession Round Table,” a panel discussion addressing economic times and the sport of short track racing; a half dozen sessions entitled “37 Ideas in 30 Minutes” in which promoters talked about what they had done to brand their racing and to deal with an adverse economy, and the remarks of 33rd Auto Racing Promoters of the Year Joe and Walt Doellefeld, who talked with promoters about what they have learned in 20 years of promoting racing at Stateline Stadium & Speedway (ID).
The twelve sessions of the Workshops “Short Track Short Course” covered topics ranging from team building to social media marketing and taxes. California agronomist and track prep expert Ed Davis talked with promoters about the composition, chemistry, and physics of dirt tracks.
The Workshops now move on to Speedweek 2010 where after a five-year absence they return to Daytona Beach. The Speedweek Workshop, convenes February 8, 2010, at the Hilton Daytona Beach where, during the Workshops Awards Breakfast, the 34th Auto Racing Promoter of the Year will be revealed. To celebrate RPM’s return to Daytona Beach the Workshops will host Lunch & Laps @ the Lagoon, a noon hour kart racing series at the Daytona Lagoon near the Hilton. Information and entry forms will be published in Racing Promotion Monthly.
“After short tracks overall outperformed their nearby main street businesses throughout 2009, we look forward to a successful 2010 despite the continuing recession,” said Stewart Doty, Workshops chairman.
Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter of auto racing promoters, and the Workshops are produced with the year-round support of K&K Insurance Group; Inc. and Hoosier Racing Tire. The Workshops are produced with additional sponsorship support from: The Eldorado Hotel Casino, INEX, GM Performance Parts, Lucas Oil Products, Moffett Productions, Musco Sports Lighting, World Racing Group, AMI-Graphics, Raceceiver, Simes Graphic Designs, the WISSOTA Promoters Association and Advertising Edge. Information on the Speedweek Workshop is available on the Web from www.rpmpromotersworkshops.com. Information on Racing Promotion Monthly is available on the Web from www.racingpromotionmonthly.net or from the Racing Promotion Monthly editorial offices, P.O. Box 195, Edgar, WI 54426, by calling 715-536-1067, or by FAX from 715-536-3616.