Arlington Park gets out of the gate fast with updated Web site
Arlington Park racing fans will have a new online option for buying tickets at www.arlingtonpark.com.
The season opens May 2 and the Web site already is touting many new features, including the opportunity to buy $1 discounted general admission tickets. Buying reserved seats also will be available soon.
"We're all becoming more and more electronic and people like the convenience of buying online," said Arlington Park spokesman David Zenner.
Other new Web site features are:
• An expanded information archive divided into four categories: "Visit Us" for out-of-town guests or newer fans, "Racing" for on-track information, "Top Stories" for the latest news, and "Horsemen" for condition books, claims, workout times and more.
• Expanded video will features daily news and on-track activity, as well as exclusive analysis videos, interviews, and links to an online race replay archive at www.youtube.com/cdi.
• Content from www.brisnet.com on Arlington's "virtual tote board," which allows up-to-the-minute racing information.
• News and racing information and hundreds of images from the track's photography archives.
As the season shifts into high gear, more real-time information will be available, Zenner said.
This includes a special area dedicated to simulcasting information, an expanded events calendar, blogs and new "QuickLinks" technology, which enables visitors to create a list of his or her own favorite pages.
Other upcoming features that will be added include social networking links, mobile features and the ability for visitors to share handicapping information and wagering tips.
Surfing
• United Airlines is providing complimentary Wi-Fi service in its airport lounges. From e-mailing a presentation to a colleague to surfing the Web for a new restaurant, or even updating a blog, United is providing access to wireless technology. The Wi-Fi is powered by T-Mobile HotSpot and is available in 27 Red Carpet Clubs and all five International First Class lounges. It is available to all Red Carpet Club members, United customers traveling internationally with a first class or business class ticket and customers who purchase Red Carpet Club one-time passes for $50. All other guests still have access to Wi-Fi through a T-Mobile HotSpot subscription or per-use option.
• Pace has launched PaceRideShare.com, a new Web resource for commuters looking to form or join a car pool or van pools.
• Naperville-based ReachMail Inc. is expanding to increase its staff to 10 workers by this summer. "The investment in people and systems is over a half-million dollars annually," said company spokesman John Murphy. ReachMail.com deploys up to 2 million e-mail messages daily. It's designed for marketers to easily send messages to their customers.