|
|
The
Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau hosted
its annual Day at the Races Summer “FAM”, July
27th through July 29th. Guests enjoyed a day at
the Saratoga Race Course, a fantastic city tour
that combined a bus and walking tour, time to
enjoy the downtown and city on their own, as
well as several organized events at member
hotels and attractions. We have had rave
reviews from all involved!
Attendees came from all parts of the meeting
industry, representing corporate, Northeast
regional, association, medical and national
meetings. Some were familiar with Saratoga
Springs and others had never been to our fair
city. Everyone involved agreed that they
learned a lot about Saratoga and all we have to
offer as a meeting destination. The bureau is
now actively working with two attendees on
future meetings, and a third has already
booked! We will, of course, continue to work
with all attendees to bring their current and future meetings to Saratoga!
 Click
Here to See Pictures!
The Bureau
has launched the new and improved website! Check it out
at
www.discoversaratoga.org.
Our official announcement will be made to the public and media in
mid-September to coincide with the Saratoga Springs City
Center's unveiling of their new architectural design and
to complement the unveiling of a new downtown
promotional campaign.
This website
is more colorful, interactive and exciting, including
videos, blogs from the Bureau staff, easy navigation,
high-resolution photos and much more! The site will
continue to be a key to integrated marketing and may in
fact drive a more focused effort at growing awareness of
Saratoga as a meeting and event destination.
If you're
a Bureau member, you can sign up for Bureau events, pay
your invoice online or read past newsletters at the
members-only section of our new website,
https://members.discoversaratoga.org.
Since the new
website is in somewhat of a “soft opening” mode, the
Bureau is asking members to go online to
www.discoversaratoga.org and click on The Saratoga
Experience (pink tab) in order to assure current and
accurate information. If changes are necessary please
send the information to Membership and Services
Coordinator Connie Crudo at
connie@discoversaratoga.org.
If you would like to change or add a photo, please send
it in a GIF of JPEG format, 200 X 150 (preferably). If
you would like us to come take a photo, please let us
know!
Track
season isn’t even over yet, and we’re already starting
to think about events like Restaurant Week, Victorian Streetwalk and Chowderfest. Please stay tuned to our
monthly-and-sometimes-more-often newsletter and visit
our website for news of innovative approaches to all
three events. Our goal is to keep you informed and
involved as we make every effort to add value to your
membership and serve our visitors. Please keep in mind
that the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau is
membership-supported and membership goes way beyond just
doing business with us – it puts you in touch with a
wider audience beyond Saratoga and provides ideas about
how you can build your business, and contribute to
Saratoga’s continuing vitality as a travel destination.
|
Sales and Marketing Updates |
A large part of the Bureau’s sales effort is traveling
to meet with local and out-of-area meeting planners. We
love when planners come to Saratoga, allowing us to show
off our fantastic hometown – once they see Saratoga,
they are hooked! As you read above, this is exactly the
case with our recent Summer Familiarization tour.
Often, though, this relationship starts with us
traveling to them first.
We regularly call on current and potential clients in
Albany and the surrounding areas, making several trips a
month to ensure Saratoga stays at the top of their
meeting destination lists. Marie, Heather, Kathy D. and
Dave also belong to professional organizations, such as
Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Northeastern
New York Chapter; and the Empire State Society of
Association Executives (ESSAE) – both of which allow us
monthly event opportunities to network with our local
and statewide meeting and association professionals.
But we don’t stop there!
Marie and Heather work hard in and out of our local
community to attract meetings and conferences from
around the Northeast and beyond. This may mean a day in
Albany, an overnight in New York City or New Jersey, or
a longer trip to Chicago. We often attend a New Jersey,
Connecticut or Greater New York MPI function,
interacting and networking with these neighboring
chapters’ member meeting planners, while also securing
sales call appointments with potential clients in these
areas. Marie recently traveled to New York City, where
she attended an evening
Professional Convention Management Association
(PCMA) function, then met with many clients in the New York City
area the next day including
the New York State Bankers Association, Arch Insurance,
American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Nielsen Inc.,
and Nielsen Business Media.
In early September, Heather and hotel partners will be
attending a Westfield MPI event, a New Jersey MPI event,
and perform sales calls in the Westchester and New
Jersey markets – all in a three day stretch! Kathy D
and Dave will sometimes accompany the sales team on
these appointments, reinforcing to the client that
everyone at the bureau works as one to make their meeting
or conference the best that it can be.
|
Convention Services
Update |
Convention
services is working with groups that are coming into
Saratoga this fall. Convention Services Director Kathy
Denkenberger is busy with housing, dine-arounds,
overflow, and more. September is gong to be a busy month
in Saratoga – it’s projected that more than 4,100 people
will be here for trade shows, meetings and corporate
events. October will top that with more than 6,600
meetings and conventions-related visitors. Be on the
lookout for posters and calendars designed to keep you
up-to-date and ready for a very busy fall!
|
International Hotel-Motel & Restaurant Show |
Q.
What’s better than a
round-trip bus trip to New York City for just $45?
A. A round-trip bus trip to
New York City with a couple dozen friends and colleagues
to attend the annual International Hotel-Motel &
Restaurant Show at the Javits Center on Sunday, November
9 or Monday, November 10, including coffee and donuts
on the way down, show admission and a chance to
experience (and support) one of the larger industry
shows on the East Coast. Please contact Trish Bergan at
the New York Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSHTA)
at 518-465-2300 or via email at
trish@nyshta.org to sign up or for more
information. The Bureau will be represented at this
event, so we’ll look forward to seeing you on the bus!
|
Congratulations to
Our Members! |
Frank Adams Jewelers was named "Jeweler of the Year
in New York State" by the New York State Jewelers
Association! There are now two stores, one in
Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany and the newly opened
store at The Lofts on 18 Division Street in
Saratoga. Owner of the Saratoga store Kimberly
Adams-Russell says, "We are just working hard to
build up a new customer base in Saratoga Springs. We
love it here." Congratulations Bureau member!
The Bureau is
proud to mention that the Saratogian received two
second-place awards in the national 2008 Advertising and
Promotions Contest. It was sponsored by Suburban
Newspapers of America.
In the category of best cover design, Composing Room
Manager Carl Aery and Chief Photographer Rick Gargiulo
won for the photo illustration on the November 2007
cover of the Spirit of Saratoga magazine. Visit
www.saratogian.com to view the picture of the front
cover!
In the category of best public service and community
event promotion, the advertising staff under the
direction of Linda Gibeault won for the Mature Living
Expo, which was held at the Saratoga Springs City
Center. Congrats!
|
Do you know a friend that would benefit from being a member of the Convention and Tourism Bureau?
August 19---Belmont Childcare
Association---450ppl
August 24-26---Independent
Bankers Association of New York State---150ppl
September 7-11---NYS Department
of Transportation (NYSDOT)---120ppl
September 8-10---The Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies---550ppl
September 12-17---NYS Association of
Realtors---400ppl
September 14-16---Consolidated Edison of New
York/Independent System Operators, NY---60ppl
September 17-18---FW Webb Company---800ppl
Saratoga
Hosts
a Nationally Touring Historic Civil War Doll
"For The Union Cause"
September 10-25, 2008
On Saturday, September 13th, at 1 pm, at the Saratoga
Springs Public Library, families,
children and adults can view and
photograph the Mary Todd Lincoln doll.
The doll
will also be on display at Congress Park on Sept. 20th
as a part of the city's 2nd annual all day Civil War
re-enactment. Maxine Getty, living historian and Civil
War researcher, will provide an explanation of: the role
of dolls in the Civil War era, the Sanitary Commissions
and the efforts that communities played in raising funds
for the Union cause.
The Mary Todd Lincoln doll, a reproduction doll, will
also visit area Saratoga Springs elementary schools in
September in an effort to explain community activities
to support the Union Cause and Mrs. Lincoln‘s efforts.
In February 2009, at the conclusion of her extensive
journey, the national winner will receive the doll, her
wardrobes, and all souvenirs collected by her throughout
her United State Tour.
From September 10 -25 tickets for purchase to win the
doll will be made available at these two upcoming
events. For those who wish to purchase other than at
these events, please contact: Linda Otto at (518)
587-2969. Tickets are $1.50 each, or (5) for $6.00.
“For the Union Cause” is made available by members of
the New York State Military Heritage Institute, friends
of the NY State Military Museum and Veterans Research
Center.
Autographing Session at Impressions of Saratoga on
Wednesday with Saratoga Race Track
Jockeys to Benefit
The season’s last jockey
autograph session, featuring racecourse icons like Edgar
Prado, Pat Day, Kent Desormeaux, and more, will be
held this coming Wednesday, August 27th from 7-9 pm
at Impressions of Saratoga. Each jockey will personally autograph
his own photo for $15 and proceeds benefit the Race
Track Chaplaincy of America. Impressions also will
raffle a
t-shirt autographed by all the jockeys who have
attended signing nights all season. Tickets are
available every day at Impression’s front counter or at
the autographing table Wednesday evening. The winner
will be announced on the 27th.
Jockey-autographed t-shirt
Got
News?? We want to know!
E-mail Angela LaTerra at
angela@discoversaratoga.org
|