USA Triathlon Sets Date for 2015 Event

USA Triathlon has announced that the 2015 USA Triathlon Race Director Symposium will showcase an engaging new format Jan. 16-18 next year aboard the Disney Dream, a Disney Cruise Line voyage departing from Port Canaveral, Fla.

 Hosting the Race Director Symposium on a cruise ship is a first for the event, traditionally held in Colorado Springs for many years before being offered as a virtual event in 2014. The cruise will depart from Port Canaveral, Fla., on Jan. 16, 2015 with ports of call in Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney's Castaway Cay. It will mark the third time Disney will play a role in USA Triathlon's Race Director Symposium, following presentations in 2010 and 2011 by the acclaimed Disney Institute.

"Integrating family members along with the race directors helps to make it a special weekend for all involved. This is an industry first and we can't wait to bring everyone onboard to create a memorable opportunity for professional growth, networking and family fun," said Kathy Matejka, USA Triathlon Event Services Director. "USA Triathlon is thrilled to align once again with Disney and offer unparalleled experiences to our race director constituents."

Registration for the 2015 USA Triathlon Race Director Symposium is open and includes the conference fee, lodging and meals. Total costs for participants will be comparable to previous years when the event was held as an in-person conference in Colorado Springs. Attendees of the 2014 symposium received a $35 credit toward registration. More information will be posted on usatriathlon.org as it becomes available.

The annual USA Triathlon Race Director Symposium is a unique opportunity for race directors to meet and network with peers, engage with the USA Triathlon staff, speak one-on-one with the risk management team from ESIX and become informed on various issues and trends within the multisport industry. In 2014, the event was held in an online format for the first time, offering live and on-demand content to more than 100 participants. Interested parties who missed the live event can register to access the event presentations until March 31 at usatriathlon.org/RDSymposium.

Notable presenters from past events include Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray; Bob Roll, former professional cyclist, author and sports commentator; Carol Lewis, U.S. Olympian in track and field; Travis Snyder, CEO of The Color Run; Jef Mallett, creator and artist of the Frazz comic strip; and Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, as well as a number of top multisport race directors and athletes.

About USA Triathlon: Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon - the fastest growing sport in the U.S. Olympic Movement - as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with more than 550,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).