Harold Snyder to receive Lifetime Achievment Award from Maryland Racing Media Association

Humphrey S. Finney Award - 11/8/2014

Snyder, International Sound serve racing industry in Maryland and beyond.

by Ted Black

Even at the age of 91, International Sound President Harold Snyder rarely
misses a day of work.  After nearly 60 years in the business of providing
audio and video to the Maryland Thoroughbred racetracks, Snyder is
perhaps somewhat belatedly being recognized tonight for his prolonged career
and dedication by receiving the Humphrey S. Finney Award for lifetime
achievement from the Maryland Racing Media Association.

Snyder founded International Sound in 1960 and although he has handed
the daily operations to his son, David Snyder, the company's elder statesman
is still a part of the day-to-day operations for the company that provides
numerous high-quality products and services for the racing industry,
including video production, digital graphics, sound, photo finish and timing
systems.  International Sound provides such products and services to Laurel
Park, Pimlico Race Course and Timonium in Maryland, as well as dozens of
tracks throughout the United States and even internationally.

"It's hard to believe that I've been in this business for almost 60 years,"
Snyder said upon getting word of his selection for the Finney award.  "I
would not know what I would have done if the tracks had not always been
a part of my work. But it's been a great ride and I still enjoy coming to work
every day.  I'm proud of the work that my son, David, has done since taking
over.  He's really helped carry on the tradition, not just for the family but also
for the company."

Even in the latter stages of his career, Snyder has remained on the forefront
of innovation and advancement in the industry, locally and along
the East Coast.  In the summer of 2013, International Sound installed a
new, high definition control room at The Meadowlands racetrack in New
Jersey, and one year earlier it purchased Teleview, a Florida-based company
that provides similar services to several Greyhound tracks in the state. In
Maryland, Snyder is known for his keen insights into the business and even
at other tracks throughout the region both he and his son have an unparalleled reputation.

"Harold Snyder has been among the cornerstones of the racing industry
in Maryland for over a half-century," said Maryland jockey Club President
Tom Chuckas .  "He's been one of the true pioneers in the industry as it relates
to enhancing the audio and visual experience for racing fans, owners,
trainers and breeders.  International Sound has been at the forefront of many
innovations that we take for granted today at most race tracks.  Harold
Snyder has been one of the genuine backbones of the racing industry in
Maryland and everyone at the Maryland jockey Club salutes his latest recognition
for lifetime achievement. "

Current Meadowlands CEO Jason Settlemoir was also pleased to hear
the news about Snyder's latest accolades after International Sound.  While
The Meadowlands might be best known for its Standardbred racing,
Settlemoir agreed that Snyder and his company offer professional services to
all venues.

"It's been truly a pleasure being able to partner with International
Sound on our recent expansion into high definition video," Settlemoir
said.  "I've been working with International Sound and the Snyder family
for nearly 20 years, dating back to my days at Scioto Downs. They have
always been a first-class operation and great people to work with. When
The Meadowlands wanted to embark on something that was designed to
give our fans a genuine feel of the 21st century, we knew we could rely on
International Sound and the Snyder family to provide that for us."

Perhaps longtime International Sound on-site guru Dan Piergaline said it
best, "Harold's 91 years old, but he's sharp as a tack. He still goes to work
every day and nothing gets done without him knowing about it."

This evening, in a long overdue tribute to his decades of dedication to
the thoroughbred racing industry, Snyder will receive the Humphrey S.
Finney Award for lifetime achievement from the Maryland Racing Media
Association, the highest honor the group can bestow.