from Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

Freehold, NJ — The United States Trotting Association is offering a one-day workshop on conducting media relations and publicity activities for county fair racing on April 13. The workshop will be held at the USTA offices at 750 Michigan Avenue in Columbus, Ohio and is free to members. Non-members can attend at a cost of $25.

The day will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will cover the basics of how to interest media outlets in fair or matinee racing, developing media and story sources, and pitching and writing stories that will bring attention to your race meet. There will also be instruction on photography. Though the workshop is designed for those working on county fair publicity, the information applies to other racing related venues and any member who might find the information useful is welcome to attend.

Workshop participants will get a certificate of completion and a one-day ticket to Equine Affaire, one of the continent’s largest shows of equine demonstrations, products and entertainment, taking place in Columbus from April 12 to 15. Lunch will be provided to participants. A block of hotel rooms have been reserved under the name United States Trotting Association at the Varsity Inn just 1.5 miles from the USTA at a rate of $65 plus tax. Contact the Varsity Inn directly at (614) 291-2983.

The workshop will be taught by Ellen Harvey, head of the USTA’s Harness Racing Communications division and previously director of media relations at The Meadowlands Racetrack.

For more information or to sign up, contact Jamie Rucker at (877) 800-8782, ext. 3260, or jamie.rucker@ustrotting.com.