The Latin American Racing Channel and The Jockey Club announced today that Belinda Stronach, the chairman and president of The Stronach Group, will deliver the keynote address at the May 17 – 20 Pan American Conference in Washington, D.C. The organizers also announced the conference’s social and networking events.

The first version of the Pan American Conference, held in New York City in June 2015, was received with critical acclaim as more than 300 delegates attended from 27 countries. 

Stronach, in her keynote address, will share insights on The Stronach Group’s future racing ventures and talk about the challenges and opportunities for the sport of Thoroughbred racing both domestically and internationally. She will also provide a recap of the initial running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the world’s richest horse race, which was held at The Stronach Group’s premier Florida destination, Gulfstream Park, on January 28, 2017.

“The focus of our 2017 conference will again be the global racing industry, our challenges and opportunities, and how we can work together to promote and enhance our sport,” said Pablo Kavulakian, director of LARC.

"Collaborating with our partners at The Stronach Group and Longines ensures that every one of the unique business and social programs will be of the highest quality and that we will be able to provide an educational, enjoyable and memorable experience for all of our guests," said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. 

The conference will begin Wednesday, May 17, with a welcome reception at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

On Thursday evening, The Stronach Group will host a Preakness Stakes Celebration at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where attendees can view the museum’s exhibits, including the world famous Hope Diamond. Conference attendees will be mingling with horsemen who will be competing in the 142nd Preakness Stakes and with VIP guests of The Stronach Group. 

A Gala Dinner, presented by Longines, the Official Partner of the Preakness Stakes, is scheduled for Friday, May 19. Guests at that event will enjoy a meal created by Executive Chef Xavier Deshayes at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, just blocks from the White House and the U.S. Capitol.

The evening will also feature the Longines Ladies Awards ceremony.

"The Longines Ladies Awards are presented to women who have made a significant contribution to the equestrian industry or have performed at the highest level of the sport,” said Juan-Carlos Capelli, vice president and head of international marketing for Longines. “Every year we are very committed to honor these outstanding women during a ceremony held in an exceptional place with special guests. We are excited to share this unique awards ceremony with the global audience of the Pan American Conference and looking forward to celebrating the laureates with representatives and experts of the equestrian world who share our same passion for this fascinating world.”

The 2017 Pan American Conference will conclude with a trip to the 142nd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md.

The balance of the business agenda will be announced in the coming weeks.

The registration fee for all business and social activities, including Preakness Stakes Day, is $1,200 for a delegate and $900 for an accompanying guest. The late registration fee (after April 16) is $1,500 and $1,000 for an accompanying guest. 

Additional information about the 2017 Pan American Conference can be found at panamdc2017.com.

The Latin American Racing Channel broadcasts the most important horse races from Latin America to the world and offers racetrack maintenance and consulting services to a wide range of industry organizations. Additional information is available at larchannel.com.

The Stronach Group is an industry leader in world-class horse racing, entertainment and pari-mutuel wagering technology. The Stronach Group owns and operates some of the greatest brands in the industry, including Santa Anita Park, “The Great Race Place”; Pimlico Race Course, home of the legendary Preakness Stakes; Gulfstream Park, one of Florida's newest entertainment destination centers and home to the $12 Million Pegasus World Cup Invitational; Laurel Park; Golden Gate Fields; Portland Meadows; and industry leading pari-mutuel technology subsidiaries AmTote and Xpressbet. It is also a leading producer and distributor of televised horse racing programming.

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as the official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of the international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It is the sole funding source for America’s Best Racing, the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing. You can follow America’s Best Racing at americasbestracing.net. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.