Aaron Perry has been Gulfstream Park’s Vice President of Strategic Development and Marketing since late summer, but he was a friendly and familiar face well before that title came his way. 
“I grew up in South Florida and I’ve always been a big fan of Gulfstream Park,” said the University of Florida grad who has been intimately associated with the fortunes of this facility since 1998.
“I joined the team because of my love for Gulfstream; because I’m a huge Frank Stronach fan who believes in his vision for the future of racing, and because of my respect for Bill Murphy,” Mr. Perry said.
Mr. Perry’s current title comes with the same challenge assigned to him when, as an executive in the advertising business, he took Gulfstream on as a client years ago. That challenge: Support the existing fan base while attracting and introducing new people to the venue.
“I was hired to find creative ways to bring people to one of the most beautiful facilities in South Florida,” he said. “The world-class thoroughbred racing is legendary, sure, but the appeal of this magnificent property isn’t just to handicappers. It’s for the entire family.”
In a business in which the past is predicate to future success, Mr. Perry has an enviable track record: While playing an integral role in Gulfstream’s advertising and marketing initiatives, the fan base grew an average 25% each year of his seven-year tenure.
“South Florida is a very complex market,” he said. “Lacking that understanding and experience has cost many well-known national marketing/advertising agencies tremendous amounts of money. Understand that we are first and foremost a world-class racing facility that also offers tremendous entertainment offerings as well as South Florida’s most beautiful casino and poker room.”
He could add musical venue to that list, and that’s just fine for Mr. Perry, who had a hand in producing, advertising and marketing every concert held here over the last few several years.
“Music is a form of entertainment that speaks to just about everyone,” he said, “and that is why we will continue to use music as a way to continue to drive new fans to Gulfstream Park.”
A family man and civic leader, Mr. Perry’s concerns aren’t limited to Gulfstream Park. He and his wife Amy, who is Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Mount Sinai Medical Center, have three children: Allie, 14; Annie, 12 and Adam, 7.
Mr. Perry is also Chair-elect of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Board of the Aventura Marketing Council.