RCA Announces Showcase 2015 Finalists

Hamilton Park Racecourse is a Finalist for a national award, it has been announced today. 

The course has been nominated in the Operational Excellence category at the 2015 RCA Showcase Awards, celebrating excellence and innovation on Britain’s racecourses which takes place at Ascot Racecourse on Thursday 12 November.

The course has been shortlisted in recognition of the results delivered through their restructuring of the management team.

Despite the scale of the project it was a great success and has brought real growth to the business across sales, marketing and operational matters.

Vivien Kyles, Chief Executive at Hamilton Park Racecourse said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted in the Operational Excellence category of the Showcase Awards.

“As a direct result of the restructuring programme we have seen fantastic growth across the business over the last two years.

“This nomination is deserved recognition of the incredible hard work and dedication of our team in achieving our aims and maintaining them throughout the last season.”

At the end of the evening one racecourse will be named overall Showcase Champion, as decided by an independent judging panel comprised of Alan Park (Operations Director, Center Parcs UK), Rebecca Joy (Group Guest Services and Hospitality Director, European Tour and Ryder Cup Europe), Jenny McGee (Director of Enterprise, VisitEngland), Steve Brice (Chief Executive, Pharaoh Global), Will Collinson (UK Director of Client Engagement, Corbis) and Paul Duffy (Racehorse Owners Association Council).

Racecourse Services Director Caroline Davies commented “we are delighted to announce the finalists for the 2015 Showcase & Awards, the only recognised industry awards for British Racecourses. The depth of quality in this year’s submissions was greater than ever, meaning the racecourses that have been listed as finalists are all genuine examples of excellence and innovation.”

Racecourses were invited to submit entries to the core Showcase Awards, with #TopSpots being submitted throughout the year via social media. The racegoing public also had their say, with nominations from ROA members and the general racing public in the ROA Owners’ Experience and Racing Post Readers’ Awards respectively. The Showcase Awards will also pay homage to the Groundstaff teams across British Racing, with the Groundstaff Champions being crowned.

The Showcase Awards follow on from a daytime seminar of sharing best practice in delivering an exemplary customer experience, with key themes this year being the ‘power of the brand’ and the ‘art of showmanship’. Guest speakers include Arsenal FC, Wembley Park, Channel 4 Racing and Great British Racing.

The 2015 Showcase Awards Finalists (listed alphabetically by category)

Aintree- Hosting Other Equine Disciplines at a Racecourse

Bangor-on-Dee- Schooling Day

Market Rasen- The Big Jigsaw Challenge

Newmarket- ‘Under Starter’s Orders’ Primary School Education Programme

Newton Abbot- Newton Abbot Racing Syndicate

Best Campaign

Aintree- Ladies Day: Crabbies Grand National 2015

Ascot- Like Nowhere Else

Beverley- Designer Painted Horse

Goodwood- ‘Glorious’ the Qatar Goodwood Festival

Musselburgh- Caledonian Beer Festival ft. Caledonian Raceday

Racing Together Community & Corporate Social Responsibility

Aintree- Aintree Community Programme and Racing Together

Musselburgh- Community Engagement ‘Beyond the Track’

Newmarket- Dubai Future Champions Week

Ripon- #RiponAlice

Royal Windsor- Berkshire College of Agriculture Raceday

Events

Doncaster- Christmas Live

Goodwood- The Qatar Goodwood Festival

Haydock Park- Kylie: Live at Haydock

Hexham- 125th Anniversary Celebrations

Royal Windsor- War Horse Fireworks Display

Food & Beverage

Cheltenham- Champion’s Walk Restaurant

Epsom Downs- Winning Post Restaurant

Sandown Park- Jockey Club’s 1750 Suite

Stratford-upon-Avon- The Honest Café

York- From Pizza to Parfait, From Rose to Red Berry Cider

Operational Excellence

Cheltenham- All Hands On Deck!

Hamilton Park- Restructuring For Results

Newbury- Uniquely Newbury

Pontefract- Designated Driver Campaign

York- New Weighing Room

Digital/Social Media Excellence

Ascot- Royal Ascot 2015

Ayr- William Hill Gold Cup Festival 2015

Goodwood- Data Insight to Drive Digital Success

Perth- To Grow Online Bookings by 30%

Pontefract- Improving the Ponte Digital Experience with Social Media VIPs

ROA Owners’ Experience

Chester

Market Rasen

Musselburgh

Uttoxeter

York