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The SCTB's Redesigned Website! |
Recently, the Bureau sent out an over-sized
postcard announcing the new website design. We sent
this postcard to all of our members, media, and of
course, the meeting planners. On the back of the
postcard, we asked them to go on the website and
type in their contact information in order to remain
accurate and up-to-date for our records. We are
still receiving comments and feedback including the
updated information via phone calls and
e-mail. If you would like to update your detailed
listing, go to
www.discoversaratoga.org/planners/update.
(You don't have to be a
meeting planner to update your information!)
Check it out at
www.discoversaratoga.org
Website Announcement Postcard
Convention Bureau members are expected to benefit
from increased exposure from our new high profile
presence on the internet, providing them with a virtual
online business association. Membership benefits include
online member listings, location designation on the
online interactive map, a membership newsletter and
events section, and much more! To
see a full listing of benefits, visit the members
section on the website,
www.discoversaratoga.org/membership-benefits/
Restaurant Week
We've made changes to the 4th
Annual
Restaurant Week 2008! The event is
December 5th-11th this
year due to the conflicting dates of Victorian
Streetwalk and Black Friday. The new dates will
hopefully increase business during a slow week. As
always, a 3-course dinner for $18.19 will be offered. New this year is
a
$9.09 lunch special offering!
We've also lowered the price for
participation! To find out more information on
how you can be a part of this successful week-long
event, call Connie Crudo at 584-1531 or e-mail her at
connie@discoversaratoga.org.
Check our website often for an upcoming list of
participating restaurants.
www.discoversaratoga.org/restaurantweek/
Attention Members!
Please send us any of your events or important dates to
remember and to post on our website and newsletters! E-mail Angela LaTerra with your news at
angela@discoversaratoga.org
**To read past newsletters or sign up online for
Bureau events, visit the members-only website at
https://members.discoversaratoga.org.
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Sales and Marketing Updates |
The Big E---Springfield, MA
Your Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau staff
recently traveled to
Springfield,
MA to go to
the Fair. Yes, the Fair. But not just any Fair! Dave,
Kathy D, Marie and Heather, accompanied by four of our
hotel partners, traveled to The Big E, also known as the
Eastern States Exposition, for a sales prospecting
mission. The Eastern States Exposition brings together
associations, guilds, trades and companies from the six
participating eastern states –
Connecticut,
Maine,
New Hampshire,
Rhode Island,
Massachusetts and
Vermont.
Each state has its own building, within which the
representatives from the above stated entities exhibit
to fair goers. Going to the Big E allowed us to meet
with representatives from private companies such as
Timex, Stonyfield Farm and Lego, as well as state and
regional associations, such as the New England Wild
Flower Society, The New Hampshire Antique Dealers
Association, Connecticut Dairy Industry Council, The
Vermont Cheesemakers Association, The Massachusetts
Maple Producers Association, the New Hampshire Maple
Producers Association and Vermont Maple Sugar Makers'
Association & Vermont Maple Foundation. While most of
these associations conduct their meetings within its
home state, they are also active on the regional and
national level. The regional and national level
meetings move about the northeast and the country. By
making contact with these groups, we are identifying the
proper contacts with in the organizations and will work
towards bringing those regional and national conferences
home to
Saratoga.
ITME Motivation Show---Chicago, IL
President Dave Zunker and
Senior Sales Manager Marie Moynihan attended the
annual Incentive Travel and Meeting Executives (ITME)
Motivation Show in Chicago Sept. 23-25. They met with meeting & conference planners
during the show and scouted out various destination
booths exhibiting at the show. It was a great way
to meet and greet clients while learning what other
destinations are doing to market themselves. They
also hosted 18 qualified meeting planners for the
Broadway show “Jersey Boys” on Wednesday night. ‘Oh
what a night it was’! They entertained before the
show and at intermission in a private Broadway
suite. It was a great way to get acquainted with
new meeting planners and their business while
enjoying a fabulous show. Now it will be time to
follow up and see where we can build new business
from our mission. Special thanks go to Claire
Miller of Luxury Resorts and Darryl Leggieri of the
Saratoga Hilton for participating in the
event and for including Dave and Marie in the
opportunity to meet clients at their reception on
Tuesday night. It was another successful networking
opportunity!
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Adirondack Trust Allegiance Bowl |
 Tickets On
Sale Now!
(available at Adirondack
Trust branches)
Navy vs. Cornell
Sprint College Football
For more information, go to
www.allegiancebowl.com
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Saratoga Springs High School
Advance Tickets: $5.00
($8.00 at the gate)
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Bus Rides to
Largest Industry Tradeshow! |
Catch a bus ride to the International
Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Show, provided by the New
York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSH&TA).
The event takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention
Center in New York City on November 9th & 10th, 2008.You don't have to be a member of NYSH&TA to ride!
At $45 a person, you can
visit the largest showcase of hospitality products with
over 1,250 exhibitors from around the world! Deadline to
register is Friday, October 24th. For more
information or to register, go to
www.nyshta.org or e-mail Meeting Planner
Trish Bergan at
trish@nyshta.org.
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Saratoga---A
Year-Round Place to Be! |
The Downtown Saratoga Springs Marketing
Initiative (DSSMI) is made up of about 20 retail and
restaurant owners and sponsors in the downtown area of
Saratoga. They have been working together to come up
with a marketing strategy to make Saratoga Springs a
year round destination and to maintain a stable brand
for the unique downtown area of Saratoga Springs. DSSMI
has the support of the Downtown Business Association,
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the Convention
Bureau, Saratoga Springs City Center, City Council,
Downtown Special Assessment District, and Saratoga.com.
The marketing strategy consists of
distributing promotional posters, tote bags, and tee
shirts with the logo within a 40-mile radius of
Saratoga. Prize packages will be given away monthly and
if you would like to enter to win, visit their newly
designed website
www.downtownsaratogasprings.com.
Mayor Johnson says, "I am pleased to be
a part of this effort that will make Saratoga Springs
more and more of a destination to come to, and a place
to return to. Saratoga Springs was known as the August
place to be, and now it's the year-round place to be."
Got
News?? We want to know!
E-mail Angela LaTerra at
angela@discoversaratoga.org
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September 7-10---Transportation Research
Board---150ppl
September 8-10---The Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies---550ppl
September 9-12---NYS Division of Housing and
Community Renewal---200ppl
September 12-17---NYS Association of
Realtors---400ppl
September 17-18---FW Webb Company---800ppl
September 17-19---NYS Higher Education Services
Corporation---500ppl
September 21-25---International Allelopathy
Society---180ppl
September 22-24---Independent Power Producers of NY,
Inc.---100ppl
September 24---Saratoga Autobody Supply---400ppl
September 25-27---NY Society of Physician
Assistants---400ppl
September 28-October 2---USS Prairie AD-15---100ppl
September 30-October 10---NYS Department of
Transportation---200ppl
October 5-6---NYS Council of
School Superintendents---800ppl
October 10-12---NYS Association
of Foreign Language Teachers---600ppl
October 12-15---NY Planning
Federation---500ppl
October 15-17---The Business
Council of NYS---300ppl
October 17-19---Skidmore College
Celebration Weekend---1000ppl
October 18---To Life---400ppl
October 19---Saratoga Bridges---
400ppl
October 22-25---Union
College---600ppl
October 25-26---Saratoga Rowing
Association-Head of Fish Regatta---Public Invited
October 27-29---Order of Eastern
Star---1500ppl
The volatility of the economy isn't the
only trend of concern to those in the hospitality and
travel industry these days, although it's probably the
most obvious. A recent study by Destination Marketing
Association International (DMAI) - formerly known as the
International Association of Convention and Visitors
Bureaus -- identified several other "super trends" which
were discussed in Syracuse at a recent meeting of
statewide convention and tourism bureaus. Michael
Gehrisch, president and ceo of DMAI attended and
provided a detailed overview of the study's findings.
The trends identified by the international study
include:
1) proliferating preferences - lots of choices in
booking travel
2) the battle for attention
3) a volatile economic environment
4) smart and friendly
websites
5) an electronic culture
6) going green.
The Bureau Board is considering these national and
international trends and
they will be included program strategies that are
developed for 2009. A full description of these trends
and their implications for those putting together
marketing plans for 2009 and beyond is available by
contacting Dave
Zunker at david@discoversaratoga.org.
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Congratulations to Our Members |
Congrats to Wings Over Saratoga
for their professionalism, friendly customer service
and positive attitude! They were given kudos in the
"Sound Off" section of the Saratogian
newspaper on Friday the 5th. Keep up the good work!
Visit
www.wingsoversaratoga.com.
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At the end of August, the Medbery Inn
& Spa was featured in an article written by the
Saratogian. The article was titled, "Making a living
from 'home sweet home'. Dolores Taisey, owner of the Inn
& Spa, talks about restoring the 1806 former hotel and
describes building plans for the future.
Congratulations! Check it out at
www.medberyinnandspa.com.
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An article featured
in the Saratoga Business Journal for September, explains
the plans of adding 5,5000-square-feet to the warehouse
portion of Olde Saratoga Brewery. General
Manager Bob Craven says due to the growth in demand for
more specialized beers, the company will expand again
(the second time in 3 years!) Brewery hours are
8:30-5:00pm weekdays and guided tours are available on
Saturday's between 1-3pm. Olde Saratoga Brewing Company
can accommodate large groups and private tastings and
for more info., go to
www.oldesaratogabrew.com.
The expansion should be completed around the end of the
year, good luck!
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In
Saratoga Today last week, Esperanto, the
pizza and burrito shop on Caroline Street, announced
they are moving right next door! There will be a new and
larger dining room and the new space should be finished
by later fall or early winter. But don't worry,
Esperanto will still be serving the famous Doughboys,
stop in and get one at 6 1/2 Caroline Street!
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