2024 NYS Tourism Conference Announcements:

Speaker Announcement:

Penny Peters, Akwesasne Travel

Penny Peters, Akwesasne Travel Manager at Akwesasne Travel will be presenting on the Thursday, April 18th Sustainability Panel, on the establishment of Akwesasne Travel, tourism office for the Akwesasne Mohawks, and how these continued efforts led to New York State Tourism Excellence award for sustainable tourism stewardship.

About Penny's Session

2024 NYSTC Stewardship Project: Francis Center of Niagara Falls After School Program

Attendees for the 2024 New York State Tourism Conference will participate in an initiative to support the after-school program at the Francis Center in Niagara Falls.

"We're pleased to be introducing a new community stewardship component to NYSTIA's major event programming," states NYSTIA Board Chair Corey Fram, Director of Tourism for the 1000 Islands International Tourism Council. "Our members enjoy extraordinary hospitality from our host communities and it's fitting that we give members a chance to reciprocate in a meaningful way." 

"The Francis Center does incredible work in our community, especially with our young people," observes John Percy, President and CEO of Destination Niagara USA, our host DMO. "They do so much and ask for so little. It's amazing how a small donation can go so far in meeting their program and the children's needs. I ask each of the conference attendees to take a few minutes and make a donation. In fact, our NYSTIA colleagues who can't physically join us in Niagara Falls can join us in spirit with a modest contribution." 



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You're Invited! Join NYSTIA's DEAI Committee

All are welcome! NYSTIA acknowledges and advocates the need to cultivate diversity, equitability and inclusion (DEI) of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries of New York State. NYSTIA's DEAI Committee meets virtually on the last Friday of every month to discuss new initiatives and outcomes, plan future events, share DEAI resources and New York State case studies, present on panels, and more. NYSTIA's DEAI Committee is open to all NYSTIA members!

Join the Committee!

Travel Show Booth Returns to Canada's Upper Ottawa Valley

New York States great destinations were showcased for a second year to Canada's Upper Ottawa Valley last weekend at the Ottawa Valley Outdoor Adventure & Sportsman Show in Petawawa, Ontario (about two hours northwest of Ottawa). Petawawa is also home to a Canadian military base, and we talked to many military families about traveling to New York State...

Read the Full Recap

Nominating is a once-a-year opportunity to recognize the amazing work you and your colleagues do every day to advance New York State tourism. Nominate your own organization, a leader, a partner in your county, or a colleague deserving of recognition. Let us know what you and your team have been up to, or let someone know how much you appreciate their hard work!

Nominate Now

• Key Issue Talking Points: NYSHTA's 2024 Tourism Advocacy Day one-pager. The comprehensive document highlights their main budget and legislative priorities for 2024 on short-term rentals, the COVID sick leave law, ADA website legislation, and more.

You can access NYSTIA's Advocacy Action Center anytime to View Key Legislation and contact your elected representatives.

Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, today announced that, as part of a planned succession process, its Board of Directors has appointed Fred Dixon as the company's new President & Chief Executive Officer, effective July 15, 2024. Dixon will succeed Christopher L. Thompson, who announced his retirement in July 2023 and held the role of Brand USA's President & CEO from 2012 to 2024. Dixon joins the company with significant experience and a proven leadership track record in the travel industry as the current President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, New York City's official destination marketing organization. With more than 30 years in the sector, Dixon is poised to lead Brand USA and bolster its position as a global leader in destination marketing. The Brand USA team is excited about the new perspectives he will bring to drive growth. 

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Break the Ice Media and Travel Alliance Partners have merged under one united brand: Travel Alliance Partnership (TAP). After operating under the same leadership since 2021, the two entities have come together in a strategic transformation that reflects the organizations’ commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships that contribute to growth and prosperity within the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.

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Calling all Rochester Recommenders, Influencers, and Frontline Staff: On April 30th Visit Rochester is hosting an Experiential FAM Tour for you and your team to experience Rochester’s attractions firsthand! This day-long tour will take you from the RMSC, to the George Eastman Museum, MAG Sculpture Park, ARTISAN Works, High Falls, Park Ave, and the STRONG!

Space is limited, so sign up today! The deadline is April 18th.

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced record-setting tourism numbers in New York from April 6 to April 9 as visitors arrived for the total solar eclipse. Nearly one million people visited New York State Parks from April 6 to April 9 – an increase of 45 percent compared to last year. The New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation recorded significant increases in vehicle travel, and the New York Power Authority provided nearly double the charging miles for electric vehicles when compared to the previous week.

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The monthly Hearst Media and Albany Times Union newsletter provides informative content, news, tips, and insights on regional travel for their engaged community of readers who enjoy travel! Their email marketing solution offers one of the largest, most comprehensive databases in the marketplace today, containing more than 300 available selects and over 134 million unique email records.

NYSTIA members are offered the opportunity to advertise in their new Travel Newsletter, reaching their over 200,000 subscribers!

Learn More & Sign Up

The 2024 AARP NYSTIA Co-Op program will feature a February presentation in the AARP Mid-Atlantic Region (NY, NJ and PA) to target summer vacation planners and follow up with an October program in AARP's New England Region travel issue (CT, MA, ME, NH, NH, VT) to reach the fall and winter travel market.

Both issues will offer some compelling benefit features:

• We will target AARP's age 50 to 59 "active & adventurous" audience, a prime audience for multi-generational summer travel and off-peak couples and family weekend outings
• Advertisers will receive matching space for advertorial
• Both issues will offer reader service lead generation

Learn More & Sign Up!

No new job postings have been submitted this week, but be sure to view the open positions on our NYS Tourism Careers Page.

Take the Tourism Advocacy Survey | Share your DEAI Case Study

Take the New DEAI Survey | 2024 Tourism Champions Agreement |

Submit a Workshop Proposal | 2024 Travel Show Schedule

WHAT WE DO TOGETHER:

Advancing responsible, sustainable economic growth, community revitalization, small business success, job creation, quality of life and pride of place by realizing the potential of New York State's tourism industry and facilitating the success of NYSTIA members.