April 2011 Meeting Planner

SAVE THE DATE!
Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau's Annual Golf Tournament
at Saratoga National Golf Club
Wednesday, May 25th
11 AM-Registration, 11:45-Lunch, 1 PM-Shotgun Tee-Off, 6-7:30 PM-Reception with Awards and Prizes
Sponsorship Opportunities-Click here!
More Details to Follow!

Heather McElhiney and Kathy Denkenberger attended the Westfield Chapter MPI meeting in Rye, NY. The SCTB was the sponsor of the Disney Institute Program!
 

As you know, the City Center expansion is almost complete, and all of us at the Bureau could not be more thrilled! We are excited to have another top notch Saratoga venue to offer our friends and clients and the opportunities this new space offers. Have you been to the City Center recently? If not, we want to arrange a tour for you. Come to Saratoga in the morning and meet us for breakfast and a tour, or in the afternoon for lunch. If your schedule is tight, we can have you in and out in less than a half hour. If you have a little more time, let us show you what is new in Saratoga. Please contact Heather or Marie today to schedule a walkthrough of the new Saratoga Springs City Center.

heather@discoversaratoga.org
marie@discoversaratoga.org
or Call 518-584-1531

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Game. Meet. Match. Round. Regardless of what they are called , they are all sporting events, and Saratoga wants to host them! Did you know that Saratoga has venues to accommodate almost any sport you can think of? From our beautiful new recreation center, to Gavin Park, to Saratoga Lake, we have top of the line facilities and picturesque venues. Saratoga already plays host to several sporting events, such as rowing, hockey, cross country, soccer, lacrosse, boxing and more, and we have the experience and desire to help make each event a smashing success! Our coaches love our facilities, our organizing committees love our community support, and our families love all there is to do when they’re not cheering their players on.

Do you attend any regular sporting events? Do you know someone who is involved in the planning of events? If so, we would love to hear from you! Heather McElhiney is your contact here at the bureau – send her the event you would like to see come to Saratoga and a contact name, and she will do the rest. Or, we would be happy to provide you with information on Saratoga as a sporting destination to take to that coach, organizer or planner you are thinking of. Heather can be reached at 518.584.1531 or Heather@DiscoverSaratoga.org.

Saratoga Arts Fest
June 9-12, 2011
www.saratogaartsfest.org

SaratogaArtsFest, a four-day annual celebration of the arts scheduled in early June, delivers the brilliance and energy of art in its many forms—music, dance, visual art, film, theatre, and literary art. Now in its fourth year, SaratogaArtsFest has become a cultural staple to the popular Saratoga summer arts scene. The SaratogaArtsFest Admissions Package includes an ARTSPASS which provides full festival access to multiple events, organizations and discounts, including shopping and dining specials throughout downtown Saratoga Springs.

Sales of the ARTSPASS will be available at these retail locations: Saratoga Beads, Impressions of Saratoga, Mimosa Gallery and the Skidmore College Bookstore in Case Center.

Click here for more information on the expansion!

Read the City Center's Blog, browse through photos,  click here!

April 1-3---Sacandaga Power Squadron---100 ppl

April 1-5---NYS Reading Association---500 ppl
Contact Cindy Wells, dwells5@twcny.rr.com)

April 4-5---Society of Human Resource Management---125 ppl

April 6-8---NYS Emergency Nurses Association---150 ppl

April 8---Saratoga Schoharie Schenectady Assn. of Realtors

April 10-12---NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc.---60 ppl

April 11-14---New York Section American Waterworks Association---500 ppl

April 15-17---Adirondack Sports & Fitness---Public Invited

April 18-19---US Food Service

April 24-30---Empire State Baptist Congress---400 ppl

April 26-28---United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2---60 ppl

April 26-29---Life & Health Compliance Association---200 ppl

April 29-30---NYS Reflexology Association---50 ppl

April 30---Northeastern NY Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation---Public Invited

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The Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau is on CVENT and STARCITE!

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New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) at Saratoga Hilton

New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) at Saratoga Hilton

Have you reached out to Kathy Denkenberger in the Convention Services Department regarding your upcoming meeting?

Did you know……..

• That your group is entitled to receive our Ultimate Saratoga Maps at your conference in Saratoga?

• That we can produce a “Landing Page” specific to your group to assist them with details about your upcoming meeting in Saratoga?

• That we can send a press release out with details of your event/conference in Saratoga?

• That we can assist in coordinating a “Dine Around” for your group to experience some of our fabulous restaurants in Saratoga?

These are just a few of the things that the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau can assist you with for your meeting/conference/event in Saratoga.

Don’t hesitate - Please call today to set up your appointment. You will be happy you did.

If you have recently met in Saratoga and have a success story to share – please send it along. We love to let people know what a great city we have to hold your next Convention or Meeting.

The Ultimate Saratoga Map 2011 – Please be sure you contact us in advance of your meeting so we can deliver them to you at your hotel headquarters. You won’t want your delegates to miss out on this valuable piece to enjoy while they are here. The discount card is always a hit with attendees.

Landing Pages – the perfect supplement/resource to your program materials. Please contact Kathy Denkenberger at 518-584-1531 to inquire about this for your next meeting.

Passkey GroupMAX Housing - we are now officially up and running with a new housing program. This new program is going to be a valuable tool in assisting planners with their housing reservations. Please call today to see if your group qualifies to utilize this service.

Landing Page for Your Conference

Are you a meeting planner who is bringing your convention/conference to Saratoga Springs, NY? Or are you in the process of finding a home for your convention/conference?

Our new “Saratoga Landing Page” is being offered to meeting planners free of charge. We can customize a web-page which lists the highlights of Saratoga during the time of your conference – i.e., local events, directions, weather, things to do, etc. We’ll include links to spas, golf courses, restaurants and attractions and include the itinerary of your convention/conference. All you have to do is provide us with the information for your conference. We will set it up and then send you the URL to distribute to your delegates/members.

Don’t delay – please call Kathy Denkenberger, Vice President of Operations and Convention Services today at 518-584-1531 to find out more about this exciting service.

Metroland's Best Of 2010 List

Best Golf Courses- Saratoga National Golf Club (1)
Best Laser Tag-Outer Zone (2)
Best Skiing – West Mountain Ski Area (3)
Best Wine Bar- The Wine Bar (2)
Best Southern/Soul Food – Hattie’s (1)
Best Indian/Pakistani Food- Karavalli (3)
Best BBQ- PJ’s BBQ (3)
Best Catering- Classe Catering (3)
Best Sandwiches/Subs – Subway (1)
Best Ice Cream – Stewarts (1)
Ben & Jerry’s (2)
Best Coffee – Dunkin Donuts (1)
Uncommon Grounds (2)
Best Wine List – The Wine Bar (2)
Best Bagels- Uncommon Grounds (2)
Best Restaurant For a Power Lunch – Panera (3)
Best Holistic Shop – The Magic Moon (3)
Best Toy Shop- G. Willikers (3)
Best shopping (City)- Saratoga (1)
Best Live Theater Venue- Proctors (1)
Best Local Performing Arts Venue – Saratoga Performing Arts Center (1)
Proctors (3)
Best Live Music Venue – Saratoga Performing Arts Center (3)
Best Open Mic- Caffe Lena (3)
Best Dance Club – Vapor (3)
And….listed as a Best Time to be Had in the Capital Region for Under $10 is Chowderfest!!

Women's Winter Weekends at the Residence Inn by Marriott

April 8 & 9, 20% discount for meeting planners! Grab your girlfriends and treat yourselves with facials, massages, pedicures, shopping and dining, live music and dancing at Vapor Night Club, shuttle service, hot breakfast, spacious suites, and wine!

Rates start at $369 for double occupancy with Spa treatments, free breakfast and gifts.

Reservations can be made through Director of Sales Leslie Miller, 518-886-0656 or Leslie.Miller@marriott.com

Residence Inn Saratoga Springs is delighted to welcome Essential Life Solutions 

Saratoga Automobile Museum Upcoming Events!

On February 1, 2011 the Museum welcomed new Executive Director, Taylor Wells!

The Saratoga Automobile Museum is located at: 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Hours of operation: 7 days a week, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission: Adults - $8.00, Seniors and Students - $5.00 with children under 6 free. For more information call Tracy Paige (518) 587-1935 x 17 or tracy.paige@saratogaautomuseum.org.

May 14 and 15, 2011 – Saratoga Automobile Museum Auto Show Weekend, 2 days, 3 shows.
Saratoga Spring Invitational is an event held by the reflecting pond of the Saratoga Spa State Park for the weekend. The Invitational will give both participants and onlookers a view of the finest automobiles in the history of transportation. Saturday is the show with the conclusion of the show on Sunday afternoon. Watch as the winning vehicles parade around the grounds of the park.

The Second Annual Euro Car and Motorcycle Show will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011. All European Cars and Motorcycles are encouraged to register for this event. Trophies, dash plaques, music, food and more will find this an exciting day for all that attend.

The Auto Show will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2011. All vehicles are encouraged to enter this event. Every year, make, model, from 2 wheels to 4 wheels are welcome. Trophies, dash plaques, music, food and more will find this an exciting day for all that attend.
Saturday and Sunday also hosts Artists, Vendors, Food, Music, New Car Dealers, the Price Chopper Hopper and more. Sunday welcomes Vintage Racecars from ACOT and the Sports Car Club of America. A two day spectator pass is $10 per person which does include admission to the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Pre - Register your Show Car for $10 on the Saratoga Automobile website - www.saratogaautomuseum.org. Registration the day of the show is $15. Registration fees include entry into the show as well as entry for one into the Museum. Additional Museum tickets may be purchased for $5.00.
 

Tang Museum Spring Exhibitions

“Environment and Object: Recent African Art”
February 5-July 31, 2011
Works by contemporary African artists, in sculpture, photography, painting, video and installations. Creating conceptually resonant images and objects that register the impact of urbanization or critique the human costs and ecological costs of resource extraction. Others employ strategies of accumulation and dense lyrical works that combine a love of abstraction with a commitment to the use of found materials.

“Unstable Ground”
February 5-April 17, 2011
Two complementary projects that visually present landscape changes over time. These two projects testify to changes in the landscape over the past century on both a local and global level. Local landscapes by Nicholas Liu-Sontag ’11 and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Karen Kellogg , and a painting from Diane Burjo’s recent series.

+See More Area and Bureau Member Events

Arm yourself with all the tools you need to plan a successful meeting or convention in Saratoga Springs. The toolkit has videos, media, photos and much more! + GO TO TOOLKIT

You can find “all the news that’s fit to print” (or email, or blog, or send by video…) about Saratoga conventions and meetings. Read our press releases to find out what we’ve been up to. Current local Saratoga news, blogs, recent videos, and a gallery of photos give you a better idea of why Saratoga meetings and conventions are productive, successful, and always fun! + GO TO MEDIA PAGE

Meeting planners know there is always something to do in the Spa City year-round - perfect for meetings, conventions, reunions, and group tours! + SEE AREA EVENTS

From special event planning to promotion and lodging assistance. The Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau makes hosting a successful meeting so much easier!
+ FILL OUT AN RFP

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is now accepting orders for the 2011 classical season. Order forms and pricing can be found at:
http://spac.org/groupsales.cfm
 

Equinox Companies and BBL Hospitality announce construction on Excelsior Springs at the Marriott, a new banquet and meeting facility in Saratoga Springs

Equinox Companies and BBL Hospitality have broken ground on a new Meeting and Banquet facility adjacent to the Marriott Courtyard on Excelsior Avenue in Saratoga Springs, NY.

This classic, yet sophisticated ballroom will be 4,300 square feet accommodating banquets for up to 300 people. The space is also flexible in design accommodating the meeting planner’s needs.  The room is divisible by two, allowing for breakout meetings and multiple room sets.  A variety of menu choices will be offered to serve a variety of events and special occasions such as weddings, Bat/Bar Mitzvahs, fundraisers and meetings.

“I am extremely excited to bring what I perceive to be a much needed new, multi-use social facility to the Saratoga area.” Said J. Eric King President of Equinox companies.

"The new function space at the Courtyard is a great addition to Saratoga's inventory of unique and flexible meeting space." says Todd Garofano, President of the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau.

Completion date is September 1, 2011. For additional information or to book an event, contact the sales office at the Marriott Courtyard at 518-226-0538. BBL Hospitality is a hotel ownership and management company headquartered in Albany, NY . For more information on the BBL Hospitality portfolio of hotels and restaurants, go to www.bblhospitality.com.