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A Message from the President...
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"Saratoga Under Construction” proved to be the perfect theme as we welcomed ESSAE (Empire State Society of Association Executives) to Saratoga for their Annual Conference & Expo. With the expansion project of the Saratoga Springs City Center well underway, and a bit ahead of schedule, the Bureau and its participating hospitality partners took advantage of the opportunity to show-off this venue for the many association meeting & conference professionals in attendance. The overwhelming collective reaction was, “WOW!!”
Many hours went into the preparation of this event and we have many people to thank for making this a successful show. Special thanks go to Mark Baker, President of the Saratoga Springs City Center and Darryl Leggieri, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Saratoga Hilton for partnering with the Bureau on a great after party utilizing the newly expanded space at the City Center.
Click here to view ESSAE photos!
Looking back on May and early June, it’s amazing to me when I realize the pace the Bureau staff kept in selling and promoting our destination. From putting on our annual Golf Tournament, which was a huge success despite the rain (we drew 125 golfers…up from 70 last year), to hosting the Board of Directors of the Westfield MPI Chapter (16 meetings industry professionals) for their annual 2 ½ day Retreat & FAM, to participating in the MPI Northeastern New York Chapter’s Golfapalooza event and sponsoring their after party and, of course, being the host city for the ESSAE Annual Conference & Expo. All of this in addition to our doing our “day jobs” of selling and servicing our members, meetings, conference and group tour clientele…Thank you to our amazing staff!!
We, along with our members, look forward to welcoming the many groups and their delegates that are scheduled to call Saratoga home for a short while this summer and provide the world-class service and hospitality that makes Saratoga Springs famous!
--Todd Garofano, President
Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau
May was a fantastic month in Saratoga – the weather was wonderful, our local businesses enjoyed seeing old friends and new as the days grew busier , we were fortunate to once again host to the St. Clements Horse Show, as well as both the New York State and the National Scholastic Regattas, and Skidmore College Graduation. We welcomed new group business, and welcomed back old friends – Saratoga was hopping! There is one group, however, that will stand out in our memories for years to come.
In late April, we were contacted by Bonnie Cunningham of the Meeting Professionals International WestField Chapter. Chapter members are industry professionals from all facets of the meetings business, the majority of which hail from Westchester County, NY or Fairfield County, CT. Bonnie’s request was simple: “We need a home for our board retreat. Can Saratoga help us?” Our answer was equally as simple: “Yes!” Over the course of the next four weeks, countless members, partners and friends worked closely with Bonnie and Heather at the Bureau to plan an incredible 2 ½ day Saratoga retreat. for 16 board members. The group utilized six hotel and meeting space venues, visited numerous attractions, took two city tours and even participated at a morning session of yoga at the Yaddo rose gardens. From a wine tasting at the Saratoga Winery and Tasting Room, to walking the backstretch of the Oklahoma track to watch the thoroughbreds in their morning workout – the group had a liberal taste of what makes Saratoga special. At the end of the retreat, it was evident to all involved that the smashing success of the retreat was entirely due to the amazing sense of partnership and cooperation that flows through the Saratoga hospitality community and the creative and eager partner we found in Bonnie Cunningham and the WestField chapter.
Click here to view MPI WestField photos!
“On behalf of the incoming 2010-2011 MPI WestField Chapter Board of Directors, we are extremely grateful for the hospitality, partnership and collaboration the city of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., demonstrated to our leadership during our visit May 19-21, 2010,” states Santiago R. Carmona, Incoming Chapter President, 2010-2011. “During this challenging economic climate, we are fortunate to have industry leaders and strategic partners that recognize the importance of business meetings and the positive impact they produce to the overall economy of our respective destinations. The Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, along with their hotel and vendor partners, put together an incredible program balancing our business needs and the opportunity to take in and experience their beautiful destination with the sights and sounds that make Saratoga Springs a great business destination for meetings and events. All the while, providing continuous team building and networking opportunities imbedded in the program content. It was this experience that allowed our Board of Directors to be energized and it resulted in having the most productive Board Retreat our leadership has ever experienced… period!”
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MPI of Northeastern NY held their annual golf tournament, “Golfapalooza”, on Tuesday June 1st at the Saratoga National Golf Club. The day began with a tasty lunch expo showcasing local culinary favorites before the 1pm shotgun start. Some sponsors served beverages or snacks along the way and others held contests at their hole for prizes. With a full pairing of foursomes a good time was had by all as meeting planners, association professionals, CVB’s and hoteliers mixed and mingled out on the course. The after party, sponsored by our very own Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, was great way to wrap up the day. It featured Prime at Saratoga National’s fabulous buffet along with cocktails and music. The tournament raised a substantial amount of money for Alzheimer’s Association through sponsorships, silent auction items, raffles and cash donations. This year’s event was a huge success on many levels exceeding the overall expectations of the committee!
The Convention Bureau sponsored Hole 7 (Judy LeCain from City Center handing out refreshment to golfer)
Prize Giveaway to the person closest to the pin! The City Center expansion prompted the theme "Saratoga Under Construction"
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Saratoga Springs City Center Expansion is Underway!
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Click here for more information on the expansion! Targeted completion late 2010!
Read the City Center's Blog, click here!
Bureau's Annual Golf Recap
The Bureau’s Annual Golf Tournament at Saratoga National Golf Club raised nearly $1,000 in donations on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 for the Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York, Inc. (B.E.S.T.).
Thank you to all who donated to this tremendous local cause which also secured many in-kind donations and increased awareness of B.E.S.T. and its services to the Backstretch Workers of the Saratoga Race Course. At the closing reception, B.E.S.T. compiled all donations and raffled off a Clubhouse Box for a weekday at the Saratoga Race Course with a visit to Tom Durkin’s booth for the 3rd race call. The winner of the raffle was Mike Squires!
There was great turnout for the event; 125 bureau members, meeting and conference planners and other participants enjoyed the day of golf and the reception that followed.
Click here to view Golf photos!
View Johnny Miller's Golf Photocards!
The Bureau would like to thank Chad Griffin and the golf services staff at Saratoga National Golf Club, Angelo Mazzone, Lauren Holmes and staff at Prime/Saratoga National Golf Club, Tom Newkirk of Saratoga National Golf Club, Jim and Gretchen Squires of The Posie Peddler Inc., Tom Thomas of DeCrescente Distributors, Tim Wedeman of AMS Entertainment, Johnny Miller of Johnny Miller Adventures, and all of the Bureau members that donated prizes!
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Upcoming Saratoga Conventions!
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June 1-3---New York Insurance Association, Inc.---175 ppl
June 1-3---SUNY System Administration Child Care Office---200 ppl
June 2---Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE)---250 ppl
June 5-9---New York State Association of School Business Officials---750 ppl
June 9-10---Connecticut On-Line Computer Center, Inc (COCC)---250 ppl
June 9-12---New York State Society of Professional Engineers, Inc.---120 ppl
June 10---Empire State College Graduation---500 ppl
June 10-13---Tops Clubs, NYS---595 ppl
June 14-20---American Contract Bridge League---1,000 ppl
June 17---WSWHE BOCES Completion Ceremony---1,800 ppl
June 18-20---Citroen Rendezvous---300 ppl
June 27-30---Northeast College & University Security Association---100 ppl
June 27-July 3---Oley Foundation---350 ppl
July 2-3---Eastern Tandem Rally, Inc.---200 ppl
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Saratoga Rowing Association's 76th Scholastic National Regatta took place on May 28-29, 2010 at Saratoga Lake!
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The Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau is on CVENT and STARCITE!
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There is an Association for Everything and Everyone!
This month I would like to feature two groups – each of which has made Saratoga their unofficial “home” for their tournaments/reunions every year. June 14-20, 2010 – The American Contract Bridge League. Joan Levy Gerard has been bringing the American Contract Bridge League tournament to Saratoga for many years. Each year hundreds of very serious bridge players descend on Saratoga to play their best hands – and hopefully going home with not only a trophy – but many wonderful experiences that our beautiful city has to offer.
Citroen Rendezvous – watch out – you will see all kinds of “Citroen’s” driving around our city June 18-20, 2010. Robert Monteleone does a fantastic job of organizing this event every year. They take little side trips, have bar-b-ques and hold their banquet in our city. This group loves coming back to Saratoga each year for the beauty, convenience and all there is to do here.
We thank each of these groups for their loyalty to our city by coming every year. It is truly our pleasure to work with you and host your attendees. Enjoy and we hope to see you again in 2011.
***The Bureau recently printed the 2010-2011 Group Tour Manuals! To request one, e-mail angela@discoversaratoga.org
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