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June 27-July 3---Oley Foundation---350 ppl
July 2-3---Eastern Tandem Rally, Inc.---200 ppl
July 4---Firecracker 4
July 8-14---New York Association for Pupil Transportation---350 ppl
July 12-18---Curriculum Designers, Inc.---500 ppl
July 18-21---New York Public Welfare---750 ppl
July 28-August 1---Albany Medical College---150 ppl
Eddy's Beverage Inc.
Finish Line Restaurant & Bar
Legends Cafe
Pasta Pane
Proctors
Smokey Joe's BBQ Express
When you become a member of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau in Saratoga Springs NY, your business will be actively promoted through various member-only outlets. We actively work to attract conventions, meetings, trade shows and social events to Saratoga Springs and bring business to our local neighborhood vendors.
"I just wanted to say thank you!! Today's Limousine is in our 2nd year with the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau and we couldn't be happier! Your staff does an amazing job and we have benefited from the leads generated through the Bureau. I like the monthly tracking report and appreciate the time and effort that goes into the convention guide, it makes our job easy!! Today's Limousine looks forward to being member for years to come!! Thanks again!"
---Michael Rosenthal, President
Today's Limousine LLC
Submit your testimonial!
Refer a Friend to Join the Bureau!
Please send us your event listings, special news or congratulations and we will post it on our website and in our newsletters!
E-mail your news and event listings to Angela LaTerra at angela@discoversaratoga.org
+See Area Events
Browse through the Bureau's newsletter archive... Click Here
This dish is served at Mexican Connection
Pomegranate Margarita
1 ½- 2 shots of 100 % blue agave tequila
Juice from ½ fresh lime
½ oz. simple syrup
1 oz. pomegranate juice
Served on the rocks with a sugar rim.
Send in your recipe to angela@discoversaratoga.org or fax it to 584-2969.
We'd love to hear from you! If there are specific topics you'd like us to blog about or if you are interested in writing your own blog to be published on our website, please don't hesitate to e-mail our sales and communications coordinator Angela LaTerra angela@discoversaratoga.org.
The Bureau is always finding new ways to communicate to our audience. One section on our website is dedicated to blogging. We use blogs as a social media strategy to help us stay in frequent contact with existing and potential customers and members.
Through our blogs, we share industry tips, comment on and discuss issues related to the industry and life in general, explain new technology emerging in the market, and much more!
To keep up with the burgeoning use of Internet marketing, the Bureau has a presence on social media websites. We are featured on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and YouTube. Angela is frequently updating these sites with useful information including upcoming events, pictures, videos, industry articles and more! So, befriend us, follow us, watch us, and read about us! Check us out... CLICK HERE!
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It’s hard to believe that we are at the halfway point of 2010! Where did the first six months go? I am happy to report that the first six months have been very strong for the lodging community in Saratoga. Year to date, we are looking at occupancy increases of over 17% above last year and revenue per available room (RevPAR) is up over 17% as well. Rates are still relatively flat to last year but we’re starting to see some increases there as well.
Of course, with July here, Saratoga is gearing up for Track season. We have been blessed with an added weekend of racing this year with the track opening Friday, July 23. The best thoroughbred horses, trainers and jockey’s in the world will descend on Saratoga for the greatest meet in the country. The reason I mention this is that there is a big misperception among meeting planners and group tour operators that Saratoga is “sold-out” or too expensive during Track season. That is not the case. Many lodging properties do have availability during track season and there are deals to be had. So, we have been working hard to get the word out to meeting planners and group tour operators to consider Saratoga during July & August.
The Saratoga Springs City Center expansion project is moving right along and is still on target for completion by the end of this year. Kudos to Mark Baker, President of the Saratoga Springs City Center, the Saratoga Springs City Center Authority members and all involved on the construction side for moving this project forward despite the current budget situation in Albany. We have seen other projects around the State halted and their completion left in doubt but that is not the case here in Saratoga! For specs and diagrams on the City Center space, simply go to www.discoversaratoga.org and click on the "Updates on Convention Center Expansion" on the right side of the home page. This expansion project provides a huge opportunity for Saratoga Springs and the Convention & Tourism Bureau. Our sales staff has been working very closely with the City Center team to identify new convention opportunities for Saratoga. We have already received several leads as a result of our combined efforts.
That’s all for now but please be sure to read the updates from our incredible staff as they have been working very hard for the Bureau and our members and have lots to share this month. Have a safe and successful summer!
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Sales and Services Update
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The Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau is working to more aggressively pursue the group tour market and is excited to have taken part in several recent marketing activities. In early June, Heather spent two days traveling throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island visiting group tour leaders - 13 in all. The sales blitz was organized by the Destinations of New York company, who set up appointments with each leader. Ten destinations participated, and each participant had time to make a presentation on their destination and talk with the leaders about what our city or attraction has to offer their groups.
The bureau and hotel partners also participated in the Travel Expo New England, which took place in Sturbridge, MA. This show put us in front of about 10 group tour operators and 70 group tour leaders. We came back with several contacts and are following up with all.
In the coming months, Heather will also attend two more Destinations of New York sales blitz's - one to the Eastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia market and the other to the Metro New York/New Jersey market. She will also be attending a group tour leader marketplace produced by Royal Tours in Holyoke, MA. All of these are fantastic opportunities to meet with leaders and operators both familiar and unfamiliar with Saratoga as a group tour destination.
Saratoga currently enjoys a moderate amount of group tour business to our attractions and restaurants and it is our goal to not only bring more tours to our area but to build overnights stays into these fantastic Saratoga tours.
MPI Awards Dinner Recap
MPI Greater New York Chapter held their 2010 Annual Awards Dinner in New York City on June 23rd. Marie traveled to the city for sales calls and attended the event where she was able to make a number of new contacts by networking with meeting professionals throughout the evening. As follow up efforts continue within the greater New York area, Saratoga will be gaining some great exposure to both corporate and association planners. July will bring additional opportunities to work with this target group through the MPIGNY networking reception and golf outing in New Jersey this month. Additionally, Marie coordinated a site visit for the Future Business Leaders of America – NYS Chapter in June. Representatives from the FBLA planning committee came in for a tour of the Saratoga Hilton and Saratoga Springs City Center and an update on the expansion in progress. This group was too large to accommodate in the past and they are now thrilled to be looking for dates that will work in the coming years. Many thanks to Jenna Herdrick of the Saratoga Hilton and Andi Gardner of the City Center for their efforts in making the tour a huge success!
Convention Services
There is an Association for Everything and Everyone!
Curriculum Designers, Inc. will be holding their annual conference in Saratoga Springs, July 12- 18, 2010. This is a first for this group to hold their conference in Saratoga Springs. In the past – they have held this national convention in Park City, Utah. Their response has been terrific – while initial anticipated attendance was approximately 500 people – to date they have 750 registered. This is terrific news and we are delighted to be working with them. Their meetings will mostly be held at the Saratoga Springs Middle School on Maple Ave. We would like to extend our thanks once again to Stu Byrnes – who continues to work with groups and helps them to hold their meetings at the school. Stu and the Saratoga Springs School System are a true partner in working with groups like Curriculum Designers, Inc. and the NYS Middle School Assn. For this, we thank you.
Eastern Tandem Rally, Inc. - Daisy, Daisy, Give me your answer do! I'm half crazy, All for the love of you! It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage - But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle made for two!
Yes, the Eastern Tandem Rally is holding their annual get together in Saratoga Springs July 2-4, 2010. They will be taking several rides around our beautiful county – so stay tuned and be prepared to share the road.
NESAE – New England Society of Association Executives – June 17 & 18 – Kathy Denkenberger and Judy LeCain attended the annual meeting of this association. They exhibited at their trade show and made some great connections with associations from throughout the Northeast.
Have you been to the new Saratoga Strike Zone yet? If not, you need to put that on your “to do” list! After months of renovations, the new Saratoga Strike Zone is open and offering a state of the art light and sound show making your bowling experience one you won’t soon forget! Try the bumper cars, the ballocity pit is a blast for the kids, the redemption arcade is expanded, and wait until you see the new restaurant, the EndZone Sports Pub, complete with fireplace and flat screen TV’s all around! Stop in today and check it out for yourself!
Check out some Pictures!
Jonesville July Music Schedule
The Jonesville Store (a.k.a. Café Jonesville) offers live music both Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 6:30pm. There is no cover charge. The upcoming dates are as follows:
Friday, July 2 Mark Emanatian
Saturday, July 3 Steve Candlen
Friday, July 9 Kevin Maul
Saturday, July 10 Mark Emanatian & Tom Dolan
Friday, July 16 Mark Tolstrup & Dale Haskell
Saturday, July 17 Rick Rourke
Friday, July 23 Noah Zacharin
Saturday, July 24 Brian Mitchell
Friday, July 30 David Kraai
Saturday, July 31 Nancy Walker Trio
Tuxego of Clifton Park does more than just rent tuxedos! Although they specialize in the rental of formal wear for weddings, proms and black tie affairs, they also sell hospitality wear. Tuxego offers tuxedo shirts, bow ties, vests, gloves, aprons, blazers and pretty much anything a person who works in the restaurant industry may need for attire. Many items are in stock and ready to purchase.
Sabina’s Wood Fired Restaurant will begin serving wood fired breakfast beginning June 27 and running through the end of track season. Wood fired bacon and eggs, sounds great! Full breakfast menu available.
Congratulations!
Congrats to Irish Times Pub and Restaurant at 14 Phila Street on their 1 year anniversary! Upon walking into The Irish Times, you are instantly teleported into the magical Emerald Isle. Come relax with a proper pint of Guinness stout while enjoying traditional Irish fare. Enjoy our outdoor roof terrace & patio, live entertainment, and sport on HD TV's. The Irish Times is truly a unique establishment filled with good food, good drink, good company and good Irish "craic".
Congrats to Gaffney’s Restaurant (first), Saratoga City Tavern (second) and the Ice House (third) for creating the winning chili’s for the Caroline Street Arts and Blues Festival. Next up…Chowderfest!
Congratulations to Seaglass Logowear and Promotions on moving to a new location in Clifton Park Center. Their new address will be 22 Clifton Country Rd and the move is expected to be completed by July 6. Seaglass can meet all your promotional needs with in-house embroidery, screen printing, banners, decals, engraving, vehicle graphics and promotional products. Let them help you with your next advertising projects.
Congrats to our own Eric DiMiceli for receiving the Outstanding Volunteer Award for the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Way to go Eric! We think you are pretty outstanding too!
 Saratoga Springs
City Center Update
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