The sales team at the Bureau has been busier than ever and is looking forward to several upcoming events and sales opportunities. What's on the horizon? Glad you asked! Here’s a quick list of what we are looking forward to:
· The Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE) Annual Trade Show – June 25th, 2009. This Annual trade show is held in our backyard every year – the Saratoga Hilton and Saratoga Springs City Center are the annual hosts - and attracts approximately 150 meeting planners from around New York State. The morning offers education sessions, followed by a luncheon with an industry keynote speaker, then a highly anticipated trade show, and topped off with an evening networking party. The Bureau, along with our hotel partners, spend the day hosting attendees in our booths, thanking them for the past business and discussing future years, and entertaining them throughout the evening. This show is always a huge success and a big hit for Saratoga, as attendees spread out throughout the city, enjoying all of our restaurants, shops, bars and attractions.
· The Annual Day at the Races Summer Familiarization (FAM) Tour – August 2nd – 4th, 2009. The bureau is excited to host this highly successful event again this year. This event draws between 40 and 60 meeting professionals from all around the Northeast region, and sometime farther, who may not know Saratoga as a meeting destination. The purpose of the event is to familiarize attendees with all Saratoga has to offer and includes a bus tour of the city, a day at the races, an evening downtown and more. Save the dates have been sent to potential attendees, and Marie, Heather and Angela continue to add potential guests everyday.
· Who can forget the Saratoga Thoroughbred Racing Season? Each and everyday of the racing season, it is our goal to bring folks to town to see Saratoga Springs in its full glory. Work has already begun to book clients for site visits and a day at the races, and, as always, we getting great response! Whether they win or lose at the races, they always leave with a wonderful impression of our city and a desire to bring their business to Saratoga!
All of the above compliments our ongoing weekly sales calls to the Albany area and the Northeast region, as well as our continuous work to get clients to Saratoga on a regular basis. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for updates on the above events!
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The 2009-2010 Convention Bureau membership directories were mailed out on Tuesday, June 2nd. Thank you to the members who advertised in the book. Remember to make the directory your first resource when looking up a hotel, restaurant, pub, spa or salon, retail shop, an attraction or service provider. Please support your fellow Bureau members!
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Are you interested in spending a day in the Convention Bureau’s track box at the
Saratoga Race Course?!
During the month of June, we are asking members to give us contact information on any business who would benefit from being a member of the Bureau. Then, if that business joins the Bureau during June, your business will be entered in a drawing to win a day in the track box on Saturday, August 1, 2009. New members who join during June will be entered into a drawing for an Apple iPOD!
In order to qualify for the drawing, all paperwork and payment for the new membership must be submitted by Thursday, July 2nd and the drawing will be held on Friday, July 3rd. Winners will be notified by phone and listed in our July newsletter!
The Bureau mailed out this postcard to all members of the Bureau and to prospective Saratoga county businesses.
The Bureau hosted a lodging roundtable at the Hyatt Park Place in Malta on May 18, which was attended by a mix of hotels, B & Bs and attractions from around Saratoga County. The purpose of the event was to provide perspective on the current state of the tourism economy and specifically meetings business for hotel and motel properties in the region.
Special guests made up a panel consisting of Dan Murphy, President of the New York State Travel and Hospitality Association; Ed Muhl, Director of Operations for I Love New York; Carrie Hillenbrandt, vice president of sales for BBL Development and current president of Meeting Professionals International Northeast; and Kathy Febraio, executive director of the New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association talked about how the business of meetings is changing, the challenges of the current economy and how lodging properties and meeting planners can work together to mutually benefit.
Topics included: short booking windows, attrition clauses, Internet marketing and discussion centered around prognostications for the coming travel season, travel trends in general, and how Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County fit into the mix. More lodging roundtables are planned for later in the year – details will be forthcoming.
Answers from last month's newsletter: Kathy D. has never watched Saturday Night Live, Marie was Athlete of the Year and Heather makes beautiful wedding cakes!
1. Who met John "Cougar" Mellencamp?
2. Recently, who rode a Go Cart for the first time ever?
3. Who has a tattoo on their ankle?
Email your answers here!
**Whoever answers all three questions correctly will have their name, company, and website link posted in our next newsletter!**
Bureau Staff: David, Angela, Connie, Marie, Heather, Kathy D., Kathy P., Eric
