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Tuesday, October 06, 2020Contact: Andrew Chesser
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Giorgio, Switzer Deliver Keynote Address of 2020 Virtual IFHA Conference

The 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), continued today with its virtual keynote address from Pete Giorgio and Alan Switzer from Deloitte, the largest global professional services network.

Via a video presentation, the duo discussed Deloitte’s perspective and insights around the impact of COVID-19 on the sports sector, including the practical steps that sports organizations can take to adapt to the “new normal”, opportunities arising from the challenging circumstances, and how that advice can be tailored to horseracing organizations.

Giorgio, a principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP, leads the organization’s United States Sports practice. He is the co-author of Deloitte’s 2020 report Games without fans: How sports organizations can thrive now, and in the long term as well as the co-author of the April 2020 report COVID-19 Outlook for the Sports Industry.

Switzer is a director in the Sports Business Group, Deloitte’s global center of excellence in sport business. He has worked extensively in horseracing for over 15 years, including producing multiple Economic Impact studies on racing—notably in respect of British and Irish racing.

The IFHA Conference is typically held in-person in Paris, France, the day after the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), but in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year it is being conducted as a series of videos released during the first two weeks of October.

All videos from the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities will be released on the IFHA’s YouTube channel, its website (www.ifhaonline.org), and its social media platforms. They will also be available as podcasts.

The first video, a panel discussion examining how to sustain the business of horseracing, as well as sports in general, in the midst of a pandemic and economic uncertainty, was released yesterday.

The next video/podcast will be sent out tomorrow, Wednesday 7th October, and will feature a panel discussion focusing on adapting the broadcast, production, and media experience to a COVID-19 racing and sporting landscape.

The first International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was organized and hosted by the Société d'Encouragement in Paris, France, on October 9, 1967. Since 1994, the annual conference has been organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities at France Galop. In 2019, the conference convened delegates from more than 50 different countries with a number of other racing executives and media members in attendance.
 
About IFHA

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) is the world peak body for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing. Its members are the national racing authorities across the globe which stage Thoroughbred races.

Major areas of the IFHA’s activities include:

    •           Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (the IABRW)
    •           Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
    •           International Race Planning and Grading (“black type”)
    •           World Rankings
    •           The fight against Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices
    •           Harmonization of Racing Rules
    •           Certification of IFHA Reference Labs
    •           Fostering commercial development of the racing industry globally

The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).



About Deloitte

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today’s marketplace — delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthy society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Now celebrating 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s more than 312,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.
 
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the “Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.
 
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