The NTRA, "determined to reduce expenses" after its
plan to collect voluntary 1% fees from auction purchases
"flopped," approved a "number of budget cuts" at its
quarterly board meeting in DC Tuesday, according to Matt
Hegarty of the DAILY RACING FORM. The cuts will "halt plans
to expand several customer service and training programs
while deferring some expenditures" -- such as increased
advertising -- until next year. The organization also
addressed a "laundry list" of other issues, including a
"possible restructuring" of the "NTRA Champions on Fox"
series and an "effort to have IBM design a sophisticated
communications network to streamline racetrack operations."
Hegarty writes that NTRA execs "emerged from the meeting
voicing optimism and vowing to press ahead" with their
business plan. NTRA VP/Communications Chip Tuttle said that
the NTRA is "looking closely at how to 'integrate' marketing
strategies by combining efforts" of several entities,
including Triple Crown Productions and the Breeders' Cup,
into a "more coordinated campaign" (DRF, 9/30).
CRITICAL YEAR? NEWSDAY's Paul Moran, on the NTRA: "It
is unclear when the honeymoon ended, but it is most
decidedly over." The next year "will be a critical one," as
the NTRA is on "shaky footing," and its ad "efforts have not
been particularly well received" (NEWSDAY, 9/30).
