by Jerry Connors, secretary, USHWA

Harrisburg, PA — The United States Harness Writers Association, the world’s largest organization of communicators covering the sport of harness racing, has announced that it will hold its 2016 Dan Patch Awards Banquet and annual meetings at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with the awards dinner set for the last night of the USHWA conclave, which will be held from March 4-6, 2016.

Within a 10-minute drive on major highways from the Fort Lauderdale airport, the Hyatt Pier 66 is located directly on the Atlantic waterway, “with yacht-docking facilities” (if your trotter or pacer has a really good year). On-site tennis courts and nearby golf courses are available, as are world-class dining, four-star hotel amenities including various spa treatments, and nearby shopping and nightlife availability.

The annual Dan Patch Banquet honors the sport’s top stars, both human and equine, at a top-shelf dinner. The harness writers, responsible for voting for the Hall of Fame and the year-end awards, have their yearly business meetings in association with the weekend-ending gala.

USHWA President Chris Tully thanks Dinner Location Site Committee Chairman Shawn Wiles, Dinner Chairman Steve Wolf, and Barry Lefkowitz for their work in “securing us another world-class facility at which to stage our honoring of the world-class top performers in harness racing.”

Details about hotel reservations, banquet tickets, advertising in the souvenir Journal, and other facets will be made available in the trade press in the months to come. USHWA’s website, www.ushwa.org, will also have up-to-date information.