The Chrono Show

In today's episode, Mike is joined by none other than our very own CT Timer, Brad Henz. 

Brad is the co-owner and co-founder of ShaZam Racing in Peoria, IL - a business venture built on the need for a better timing solution for the very events they owned and operated. Since starting in 2012, Brad and his business partner have expanded their focus and effort on Track and Field and Cross Country Events. - a space that not a lot of timers go into willingly. Brad walks Mike through the process of shifting gears and gives his advice on how he got started. 

And while many of the conversations Mike has had over the past few months have revolved around the business side of Covid-19 and its negative impacts, Mike and Brad shift the discussion to something we've all needed more of: talking about the silver-linings we might have missed along the way. 

We promise you won't want to miss this ChronoTrack Timer Insider Edition with Brad! Happy Listening. 

In today’s episode, Mike sits down with Ann Hupp, Virginia-based ChronoTrack Timer and co-owner/founder of Mettle Events.

We couldn’t be happier to record this episode as it turned out to be one of our most hilarious, lighthearted yet intimate, and honest podcast episodes we’ve done so far.

Self-described as the peacemaker in her circle of friends, family, and co-workers, Ann is the individual looking for the right solution for everyone. But don't let that seemingly passive trait fool you, because as you’ll hear throughout the episode, Ann is a feisty fighter who won’t back down from anyone or anything. 

She affectionately praises the engineering and timing talents of her husband/business partner Kevin and speaks candidly about the lessons they've learned along the way, which starts with knowing your craft and knowing your worth in the industry. She notes her company isn’t the cheapest in the market, but her clients get what they pay for - the best timing and consulting services. Listen as Ann shares her expertise on how and why Mettle Events is valued so highly in the industry. 

She’s been an advocate for clients, her team, and even fellow Timers. To her core, Ann believes that there is “enough pie for everyone", and now more than ever, it's time for our event and timing communities to rally behind each other. Share the knowledge and you share the wealth.

We guarantee you won’t want to miss Episode 15, so get right to it! Happy Listening!

In today’s episode, Mike sits down with ChronoTrack Timer Matt Helbig. Matt is the Founder and CEO of St. Louis based, Big River Race Management, and Founder and Co-Owner of Big River Running Company, a local running and walking specialty store also in St. Louis MO.

Mike and Matt discuss the heart of what makes Matt’s business so successful, how he’s built a company with 8 full-time team members, and even offers advice on how he believes Timers should be positioning their services.

You’ll hear Matt speak to the power of Timers and their ability to become a valuable resource for their Event directors outside of just scoring and results. He notes that Timers are in a unique position to time dozens of events a year, compared to their clients who are usually focused on only one event per year, leading to knowledge and skill that are sellable.

His top three value-adds for Timers and their businesses are inside, so you won’t want to skip any part of this episode. 

Happy Listening!

In today's episode, Mike sits down with industry mogul, Beth Salinger, Founder & Chief Event Officer of Endurance Marketing Inc. (EMI)

In 2003, after working in the tech industry and realizing her skill set could be put to great use in the endurance space, Beth took her project management experience and love of endurance sports to create Endurance Marketing Inc. (EMI). In the beginning, her focus was on selling sponsorship and overseeing health and fitness expos for various sized events throughout the country. Over the years she has continued with selling and has added race operations, charity programs, elite athletes, budgeting, race directing, and much much more.

If you know Beth personally, you'll Beth has created a name for herself and her team by thinking outside the box and delivering a truly unique experience for both Race Directors and Athletes alike. If you don't know Beth, this episode is the perfect way to peek inside her brain and learn about how and why she's been so successful.

She can take what most people see as the worst, most boring, dreaded part of the course, and turn it into an opportunity to highlight something unique about the event, its sponsors, or its host city - all for the delight of the athlete and their experience. 

In Beth's eyes, there are no problems, only opportunities for excellence. Listen as Beth dives into the process that brings her ideas to life, and how fostering special relationships has helped her build a community that people are eager to join. 

After listening to the show, if you're interested in getting in touch with Beth, she welcomes anyone and any conversation with arms wide open. Just give her a call at 312-925-6067.

Happy Listening! 

In today’s episode, Mike sits down with ChronoTrack customer and friend Kathy Dalby. Kathy is the CEO of Pacers Running, an award-winning running specialty retailer and events production company in the greater Washington DC region. In her role, Kathy is responsible for strategy, brand and marketing, events, and administration.

Like many of the guests we’ve had on the show, Kathy found her way to the industry somewhat by chance. Unfulfilled and working at a DC law firm, she walked into a running store to help a friend pick out a pair of shoes and walked out with a job.

From there her passion for retail and events blossomed. She found the right partners and connections and built Pacers Running - now with seven retail locations in the DC area and endurance events all along the East Coast. You’ll hear Kathy describe her business principles and values; at the core, people over profit; do well by doing good, and always be present, kind, and brave. What you do matters, and whom you do it with and for matters even more. 

Among the stories and experiences, Kathy and Mike dive into her business best practices and how Pacers has not only survived the pandemic but thrived. Kathy and her team saw the pandemic shutdowns as an opportunity to connect not just locally but globally as well.

Being the first running store in her area to provide virtual shoe fits, the virtual space became a way to bring all types of runners and athletes into the fold. The digital strategy that unfolded throughout the pandemic is a strategy she and her team plan on building on for the future. 

You won’t want to miss this episode with an all-around boss businesswoman and hopefully, you’ll take away the inspiration we have.

Happy Listening! 

In today’s episode, Mike has the pleasure of sitting down with Anne Gault, Race Director for Run Mackinac and former Owner/Timer of Gault Race Management.

If you know Anne and her husband John, chances are they have shaped you both personally and professionally in this industry. If you don’t know Anne and John, chances are you heard about how they have shaped the industry. And that’s because in the timing world their reputation precedes them. For almost 20 years John and Anne grew their business to become one of the major timing companies in the US, timing over 400,000 athletes annually.

You’ll hear Anne and Mike discuss how the Gault’s stepped into the unknown and took chances on technology that paved the way for the modern timing industry as we know it, doing things “the Gault way” - a phrase that has positively come to mean many things over the years, but undoubtedly represents a passion for excellence while timing events.

Community, risk-taking, craftsmanship, loyalty, and love - this episode has it all! Listen in and enjoy.

It’s no secret that some events in the industry just stand out, and if you’ve ever been to an event hosted by J&A Racing in Virginia Beach, VA you know exactly what we mean.

But what takes an event from good, to great, to magical? The answer is simple: market and deliver an unforgettable experience. However, the execution can be more complicated than just a few social posts and emails along the way. So, who better to talk shop with than the Event Marketing Queen herself, Amy Frostick?

Listen in as Amy discloses the tricks of her trade and how she and her marketing team produce "high caliber productions with a party", that make participants come back season after season, year after year.

Visit J&A Racing at http://www.jandaracing.com/

In today's episode, Mike sits down with ChronoTrack Timer and pioneer woman, Mary Anderson of Anderson Race Management. They talk about how she got her start in this industry - leaving her life as a CPA behind - and how much her team and this industry means to her. 

After 25 years as a Timer and small business owner, it's no accident that Mary's timing business is still going strong; she's quick to lend a helping hand, over-delivers for her clients, and is never at a loss for words when it comes to telling a great story. 

Give this episode a listen and learn from one of the best in the industry! 

Visit Anderson Race Management at http://www.andersonraces.com/

In this episode, Mike sits down with Olympian and former Lilac Bloomsday Run Race Director, Don Kardong. 

Nestled in the heart of Spokane, WA, - a population of roughly 250,000 residents - the Bloomsday Run has found success in participation numbers rarely seen outside of the major metro city events. Listen as Mike and Don unravel the history and mystery of the event, and find out what Don is up to post-retirement. 

Join Mike Milici as he sits down with Steve Bingham-Hawk - Timer, Race Director, Father & Athlete - as they discuss the challenges and rewards of being both an Event Director and Timer.  They take a deep dive into how filling different roles, for different events has helped him be better in each of his respective fields. 

You'll hear out about Steve's "secret sauce", his work as RD for the Salt Lake City Marathon, the obstacles of being the lead Timer for the Leadville Race Series, and an inspiring story about the resilience of our athletes, events, and industry. 

Visit High Altitude Special Events at https://highaltitudeevents.com/

In episode two, Mike sits down with friend and colleague, Troy Busot of Athlinks. They discuss how Troy got his start in the endurance industry, the life events that shaped how Troy started the multi-million user platform Athlinks, and what's up next for ChronoTrack's sister company. 

In episode one of the Chrono Show, we sat down with legendary event producer Dave McGillivray from DMSE, Inc. 

Mike and Dave discuss the history of racing and event producing - dating all the way back to the first Olympics, through the running boom of the '70s, to present-day events - and how the event world bounces back after a pandemic.

You'll hear Dave talk about what it takes to become an "accomplisher",  how seriously he takes the “right” to toe the line, and even gain insight into his race directing style. Don't miss out on first-hand industry knowledge from one of the greats; give the episode a listen today!