Insights & Stories
Articles, tutorials, and insights about race timing technology, event management, and industry trends.
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ITS Delivers 90 Million Impressions for Just One Race!
When an advertiser or race event wants to reach millions of people, they rarely can afford to create a meaningful campaign. The problem is that there have been few platforms that can reach millions of athletes at an affordable price. Not anymore. The ITS platform is the first and only fully integrated and automated platform that can deliver highly targeted ads for just 25 cents per CPM. This is 1/20th the typical price paid in other magazines or platforms, and the level of targeting is not even close to what we can offer. Click on the photo to learn more!
ITS Expands Staff to Build G4 Systems
Innovation in Race Timing Systems has been the focus of our company dating back to our founding 17 years ago. In the beginning, it was Kurt and his wife Jan working in their house. It was an exciting and chaotic time as the company began to grow out of control. In just a couple of years, they moved into a building and began hiring a couple of employees. Today, the company has grown to around 16 full-time staff and a number of contracted staff. In total, there are about 25 people who work hard to maintain our leadership in the Sports Race Timing Industry. Click on the photo to learn about our most recent hire. She's a keeper!
ITS Announces Jaguar G4 Timing System Platform
Sometimes a timing system for athletic events needs to deliver remarkable performance under crowded conditions. ITS engineers decided two years ago to re-invent RFID technology to deliver the most powerful chip timing systems platform ever created. It's designed to provide 100% redundancy, blazing fast chip reads, and extreme reliability. The G4 is ideal for new timers or race organizations with smaller events. The Pro version includes a built-in computer and support for Wi-Fi, Cell, Satellite, and more. It also has a hot-swappable battery architecture that allows is to run for days. It's shock proof, drop proof, water proof, dust proof and designed to operate in temperatures from -25F to +140F.
Timer of the Month - August 2019
August's Timer of the Month is a man known for his generosity and kindness, and also has a reputation for being an all-around great timer. It is our very own Eric Jensen of Eastern Oregon Sports Training. He's an avid runner, a coach, and a Jaguar Timer! Learn more about what races mean the most to him, the craziest thing that has happened to him on race day, and much more!
Timer of the Month - July 2019
For July's Timer of the Month, we head to the Cornhusker state. The owners of Run Nebraska have been putting on so many amazing races, you'll wonder where they find the time! Learn more about their must-have items on race day, the mottos they live by, and what advice they have for other timers.
Timer of the Month - June 2019
For June's Timer of the Month, we go North to Canada. Denis Gagon and his team at Chrono900 are working hard to provide memorable events in Quebec and beyond. Learn about the craziest thing that has happened to them during a race day, what event they are looking forward to timing, and what advice they would give other timers.
Timer of The Month - May 2019
Get to know Innovative Timing Systems' very first Timer of the Month! Eddie Jones, the co-founder of Nexus Timing, answers some of our questions about his experience timing, what Jaguar product he can't live without, and more!
Facebook - How to Stand Out in a Sea of Users
Social media is an untapped resource for marketing your races. Learn some tips on how to effectively use this site.
Tips for Hosting More Kid Friendly Events
You know what they say, “A family that runs together, stays together.” Okay, that might not actually be the saying, but you get the point. Parents who attend racing events are faced with unique challenges when they decide which races they will sign up for. Learn more about how to deal with these situations.
ITS Unveils New Camera Solutions
ITS today announced a new series of camera solutions for the education market. PhotoVision is already a comprehensive platform for the sports industry, and now the product offers features ideal for schools of all types including Middle, Junior, High Schools and Colleges.
What to Expect at the Jaguar Users Conference
Lynda Newhart of Upper Merion Cross Country shares her thoughts on the Jaguar Users Conference and why you should attend this annual event! Her responses are truly inspirational for anyone looking to build their business.
Tips for Hosting an Eco-Friendly Race
Have you ever been out for a run in the woods and come across a plastic wrapper someone has left behind? You are not alone, some runners will even carry a bag with them to pick up the trash they see along their route. Nature shouldn’t be mankind’s dumpster, and while you can’t force other people to respect the outdoors, you can still make an effort to do your part. With recycling becoming more prominent in recent years, it’s getting easier to cut down on litter. Here’s some tips to host an eco-friendly race that will reduce your carbon footprint.
Going Virtual with Races
Offer runners the opportunity to choose their own starting line by providing a virtual race option. A majority of charities are opting to host a virtual run or to have a virtual run component in addition to their event. A virtual race is the ideal option for runners that want the convenience of running at home. So, what exactly is a virtual run, and should you host one?
Free Ways to Promote Your Next Event
Race day is set! You’ve nailed down a location and confirmed the logistics. You’re ready to rock n’ roll on race day, but there’s just one problem, you have to make sure people actually show up. In order to have a successful race day, you have to get the word out about your event. Budgets only stretch so far. If your race budget is running dry, it’s time to get creative and find free ways to promote your event. You’d be surprised at the number of marketing strategies available that are little to no cost to you. Here’s 5 free (or almost free) ways to promote your next event to ensure it’s a success!
How to Encourage Your Support Crew on Race Day
Support crews are the unsung heroes of race day. They stand for hours, sometimes in less than pleasant weather, to see you run by for only a few moments. Still, it is important to have someone there to encourage you on race day. Like most goals, having your family and friends involved will hold you accountable and incentivizes you to show up when race day arrives. Beyond that, having a support crew at your races can be a bonding experience. Whether your crew is your friends, family, or even strangers, here are some ways that you can give back to them before, during, and after the race.
Tips for Getting Millennials and Gen Z'ers More Involved in Your Races
Millennials (ages 20-35) and Gen Z’ers (19 and under) are an underutilized resource, but their value should not be overlooked. Both these generations can be utilized as race participants or volunteers. Studies have found that these younger generations are more willing than ever to help charitable causes. So how do you engage with them?
Adding Race Crews - Start Recruiting Today!
Do you want to increase revenue while decreasing your workload? Begin by building a timing staff. Having a team of qualified staff working for you creates a safety net for your business. A well-trained staff also gives you the flexibility to choose which event(s) you will attend. After your staff is thoroughly trained, you can book multiple events on the same day, which will allow you to build your business and increase revenue.
A Quick Chat with Kurt Hansen, Founder of ITS
So, who exactly is Kurt Hansen? Drum roll please....... The coolest guy you'll ever meet. The absolute best story teller of our time. An undeniable animal lover..... (Jaguar, duh!) Yep, that's him! Oh, and did we also forget to mention he's the CEO and Founder of Innovative Timing Systems? Which means we should most definitely add timing system extraordinaire to his list of credentials. We caught up with Kurt to ask him a few questions about Innovative Timing Systems and the timing industry. There's no better way to get to know our company than from Kurt Hansen himself.
PhotoBooth - Selfies and How You Can Profit from Them!
PhotoBooth is a tool that allows participants to take selfies "photo booth style” on a tablet. The software runs in the Windows environment, so it will work on most PCs and windows-based tablets. Participants will walk up to the tablet to enter a bib number and press a button that begins a countdown. Once the countdown has completed, the software captures a photo of the participant from a USB camera. If given an internet connection, the photos will automatically upload to ITS YOUR RACE.
Jaguar Timer Gives Back to His Community
For many years, students at Tuscarora School celebrated the end of the school year with a trip to the local amusement park with teachers, staff, and family. When budget cuts put an end to this fun tradition, fourth grade teacher Paul Beatty sat down with representatives from the PTA and administrators to come up with a new and exciting “Fun Day” for the kids to enjoy.