The code's governing body, Harness Racing New Zealand, presented a proposal to the conference, which would mean a consolidation of the 45 existing clubs in New Zealand into a regional-based model of nine ''super-clubs''.
The proposal, which HRNZ chief executive Edward Rennell said received good support at the conference, is still in the early phases.
But the structure could be in place in as soon as a year if clubs buy in to the concept.
''It depends on the regions, to be honest,'' Rennell said.
''If they're all dead keen on it, it could be in place by next year, but the devil will be in the detail in working it through with clubs.''
For the Otago region, that could mean the Forbury Park, Tuapeka, Roxburgh, Central Otago and Waikouaiti clubs working together, while the Oamaru, Kurow and Waimate clubs would be given the option of working in with either the Otago region or the Mid-South Canterbury region.
Rennell said the proposal could potentially give regions control over some aspects of the industry which have caused frustrations at the grass-roots level.
''It's very conceptual at this stage but in future, we may say you have the advantage of doing the dates on a regional basis ... and ditto with the funding,'' he said.
''It's looking to get the clubs working collaboratively together. If they become one entity, there will be some efficiencies around admin fees. But it's really around trying to address issues within the region on a strategic basis.''
The other ''super-clubs'' would be Southland, Christchurch provincial harness racing, New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (Addington), Seddon Shields (West Coast and Nelson-Marlborough), Central Districts, Waikato and Auckland.
''The next step we have agreed on is we will meet with each of the regions in the next couple of months and we'll map out the advantages and disadvantages and what the barriers to them are and how we'll overcome those barriers,'' he said.
''There are other advantages in terms of a consistent approach to health and safety and a consistent approach to venue plans.
A report completed by independent financial consultants Ken Boddy and Devan Menon highlighted 15 clubs that were high risk on a risk analysis scale in 2013-14, up from eight between 2009-13.
''If we do nothing, we know now there are some clubs in the country who will fade away in a year or so,'' Rennell added.
''Under this model, it's a case of trying to retain the intellectual property of all the clubs and work together in the region.''
