Joe Henderson to Give Keynote Address
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will, for the first time, play host to the 20th Annual Road Race Management Race Directors Meeting and Trade Show, November 14-16. One hundred fifty race directors, race officials, corporate sponsors, advertising and public relations executives, and others interested in road running attend this annual major fall gathering. "After 19 years in Washington, DC, we are taking the meeting and trade show on the road," said meeting coordinator Jeff Darman. "Fort Lauderdale offers a great destination for runners to not only obtain valuable information but also as a great spot to unwind," he added.

The weekend offers informal networking opportunities and race officials also get a chance to shop for all their equipment and service needs at the two-day Trade Exhibit held in conjunction with the meeting. Exhibits include clocks, awards, competitor numbers, banners, fencing, finish-line services, computer products, t-shirts, jackets and other apparel, magazines, photographic services, and web services.

Sessions will include information on measuring sponsor return on investment, community relations, race medical operations, and scoring technology. Joe Henderson, noted author and speaker, will give the keynote luncheon address.

The Road Race Management meeting is supported in part by the following: AllSport Running, Atlanta Track Club, Deer Park, Gatorade, Leslie Jordan, Inc., Marathon Foto, Running Times, and Winning Time U.S.A. Chip Timing.

Race Director of the Year
In conjunction with the meeting, Road Race Management is seeking nominations for the Marathon Foto/Road Race Management Race Director of the Year Award (presented by Running Times). "This award was conceived as a way to recognize and promote excellence in race directing," according to editor and publisher Phil Stewart. Nominees are judged on several factors, including overall ability, reputation of race, sponsor relations, creativity, and organizational ability. Described by Bill Rodgers as "the Gold Medal of race directing," the award is determined by a vote of a diverse ten member committee.

Nominations close September 16 and the winner will be announced at the annual Road Race Management Race Directors Meeting November 14-16, in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Road Race Management publishes a newsletter and comprehensive Directory for race and industry officials and conducts a prestigious annual national race director meeting and trade show. Marathon Foto is the world's largest race photograph company and Running Times magazine is "the runner's best resource."

For additional information on the conference, including a full schedule of activities and printable forms for registration and Race Director of the Year nominations, see the Road Race Management Web site.