- Message from President
- Sales & Services Update
- Member News
- Saratoga Springs City Center Update
- Upcoming Saratoga Events
- Welcome NEW Members!
- Member Testimonials
- Area Events
- Restaurant Recipe Corner
- Write a Blog!
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Message from the President...
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February was an exciting month for us here in Saratoga. We had a record Chowderfest on the 5th when we welcomed more than 14,000 people to the streets of Saratoga where they sampled chowder from a record, 73 vendors. More than 70,000 bowls of chowder were served…another record!! This annual event has grown to be one of the most popular events in the Northeast. Hat’s off to Connie Crudo and the entire bureau Team, along with all of the volunteers, participants and the City of Saratoga Springs for making this event a success! We’re already hard at work planning next year’s event and expect to break records once again.
February also saw the Bureau take a tremendous step forward on the convention services side with two new additions to our “tool box”. First, we took possession of our new Conference Kiosk that will help welcome conference attendees at their headquarters property and provide delegates with key area information while here during their entire stay. This touch-screen, interactive tool will offer translated information, in several languages, details on area attractions with printable maps and even discount coupons to area shops and restaurants. We also implemented and were trained on our new online group housing tool. The Bureau entered a three year agreement with Passkey to utilize their GroupMax tool for city-wide conferences and large sports events. This tool will ensure conference delegates, exhibitors and other attendees stay at contracted properties thus eliminating the loss of room nights to properties outside the area and the group’s designated room block. Both of these tools benefit our group clients and our destination partners alike. We continue to elevate our service levels to separate Saratoga from our competition.
As we go into March and April, we will be announcing additional partnerships and tools that will further enhance our sales & service capabilities. Saratoga continues to develop and evolve as a global destination and we are excited to compete for, and win, new business for our members!
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Upcoming Saratoga Events
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March 1---DA Collins Companies-Annual Safety Seminar---425 ppl
March 6-11---NYS Energy Research Development Authority---150 ppl
March 11-13---Youth for Christ---900 ppl
March 15---John Deere Landscape Event & Expo---150 ppl
March 15-20---NYS Athletic Administrators Association---300 ppl
March 18-20---NEACA, Inc. Arms Fair---Public Invited
March 19---CSEA Local 864 School District Career Conference Workshop---200 ppl
March 22-25---Empire State College, All College Conference---300 ppl
March 23-24---NYS Health Facilities Association, Inc.---125 ppl
March 25-27---Oriental Shriners---135 ppl
March 25-27---Northeastern Woodworkers Association---Public Invited
March 28-29---Curtis Lumber Contractor's Expo---2,000 ppl
March 30---NYS Art Teachers Association---800 ppl
March 30-April 1---American Music Therapy Association---550 ppl
April 1-3---Sacandaga Power Squadron---100 ppl
April 1-5---NYS Reading Association---500 ppl
Contact Cindy Wells, dwells5@twcny.rr.com)
American Culinary Federation
Beverly's
Kim Klopstock's Lily and the Rose
Morgan Vacation Destinations
WNYA/My 4 Albany
SOUPerlative
One of the 2010 Restaurant Week Winners, Mark Bauman, He won $250 worth of dining gift certificates!
RECOGNIZING
OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
The Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau launched an annual program recognizes outstanding service, professionalism and stewardship within the hospitality industry in Saratoga called “Hospitality Stars of Saratoga”. This program provides an opportunity for Bureau members to be recognized, by their peers & customers alike, for going above and beyond the normal call of duty and build upon Saratoga’s reputation as providing world-class hospitality.
All Bureau members are eligible. Nominees will be grouped into categories and those will consist of lodging, restaurants, service providers/retail establishments and attractions/entertainment. Nominations will come in the form of a narrative, describing instances of an individual exceeding expectations and providing outstanding service. Nominations can be submitted at any point during the calendar year via the online form at www.discoversaratoga.org. A committee will review nominations and select winners within each category. Nominees will be recognized each quarter in the Bureau’s Member Newsletter with the winners in each category being recognized at the Annual Meeting each March.
Sponsorships of this program will be solicited from the Bureau membership. Winners will receive a $250 Downtown Business Association (DBA) certificate, engraved plaque and Certificate acknowledging the award and signed by committee members.
To nominate an individual or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please CLICK HERE!!
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Member Testimonials |
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.
Submit your testimonial!
Refer a Friend to Join the Bureau!
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Area Events
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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
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Restaurant
Recipe Corner
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Scarpetta served at Wheatfields Bar and Restaurant
View the recipe here!
Send in your recipe to angela@discoversaratoga.org or fax it to 584-2969.
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Write a Blog! |
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.
Find Us on Social Media sites!
 
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Angela is frequently updating these sites with useful information including upcoming events, pictures, videos, industry articles and more! Friend us, follow us, watch us, like us, and read about us! CLICK HERE for media page
5th Annual Saratoga Arts Fest, June 9-12, 2011
www.saratogaartsfest.org
SaratogaArtsFest, a four-day annual citywide 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.
ARTSPASS online sales begin January 3, 2011 on the SAF website. The $5 discount will be offered on the online purchase of an Adult (including Senior) ARTSPASS by March 31, 2011. Online purchasers can pick up their Admission Package at the SAF Center and Gallery when it opens in May.
Sales of the ARTSPASS will resume March 1 at these retail locations, and the discount will continue to be available until March 31, 2011. Saratoga Beads, Impressions of Saratoga, Mimosa Gallery and the Skidmore College Bookstore in Case Center.
Beginning April 1, military passes for the festival weekend will cost $15 and youth passes will cost $5. SaratogaArtsFest 2011 will offer a variety of arts experiences sure to appeal to a wide range of audiences.
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Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau's
26th Annual Meeting
at Saratoga Springs City Center
Wednesday, March 23rd, 5:30-8:30 pm
$75 per person, Table of 8 - $600.00
Special Guest Speaker Travis Bullard, Senior Manager, Public Affairs and Communications for Global Foundries!
Register NOW!
Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau's Annual Golf Tournament
at Saratoga National Golf Club
Wednesday, May 25th
More details to follow!
View Chowderfest photos by Tom Stock of Stock Studios Photography!
Thank you to all who prepared, served, enjoyed, and contributed to a record breaking Chowderfest. With 73 outlets serving chowder and 70,302 samples served, this event has been growing by leaps and bounds! Congrats to all the 2011 winners. What will 2012 bring?!?
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Sales and Services Update
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The Bureau Sales team have been on the road near and far and is looking forward to more face time with our current and potential clients. In February, Marie attended and exhibited at Destination Showcase in Washington DC meeting with both corporate and association clients. . The Bureau team celebrated with fellow hospitality professionals and association executives at the ESSAE Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet on February 8th in Albany. Marie Moynihan is serving on the MPI Golfapalooza committee as sponsorship chair. This tournament will be held at Saratoga National Golf Club on June 7th. Once again, this event will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. If you’d like an opportunity to participate as a sponsor please contact Marie at the Bureau for details. Marie and Heather attended the MPI NENY event “HOT TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MEETING INDUSTRY” in Troy this month. This was a terrific program focused on the latest and greatest in technology and how we can apply this to our own business and success.
March will find Marie in Washington DC again for the Conference Direct show, another popular corporate and association business show where she will be able to meet and greet more new prospects for Destination Saratoga! Heather will attend the ABA/OMCA Group Tour summit at the end of March, and then the Destinations of New York Group travel Show in April. Both of these shows are geared to the group tour market and we are excited to be participating.
April will also find Heather in North Carolina for the National Association of Sports Commissions Sports event symposium, a weeklong show focused on the sports industry. This show not only offers education, peer to peer networking and best practices seminars, but also one-on-one scheduled appointments with event rights holders. Heather and Marie are excited about the progress and connections we have made and are looking forward to all of 2011 being just as productive!
Saratoga Springs National Sales Forum with Bridget Connors-Meeting Industry Experts at Residence Inn-2/10/11
Meet the Panel: Saratoga Economic Development Corp., Glimmerglass Ltd., GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Empire State Development, Tokyo Electron Device Limited
Convention Services
February started off right where January left off – cold and snow. That did not deter our groups from coming to Saratoga for their scheduled meetings. Empire State College held their Residency program at the Saratoga Hilton. This year brought a new concept to them for their lunch – a “lunch around” as we called it. It proved to be very successful and also showed us that even on the coldest days in February – folks still want to get out and explore and get a taste of our beautiful city.
Dance Flurry – once again took us by storm. Advanced ticket sales were up by 8% this year. We were fortunate to have had a “snow free” (meaning no storms) weekend. The new space at the City Center was a true joy for all of the dancers.
Empire State Baptist Congress also returned to Saratoga – bringing hundreds of guests and they also – really enjoyed our newly added City Center space.
We are looking forward to the newest edition of our Ultimate Saratoga Map – this map is a valuable tool for our convention attendees as they navigate around our city. Also – don’t forget to bring us any additional coupons, etc. you want available to convention delegates. We’ll be happy to make sure the groups receive them.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT!
One of the Showcase Showdowns on 'The Price is Right' game show featured a Saratoga package featuring three nights at Saratoga Arms on the weekend of the Travers Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course! Did the contestant win?? Read all about it in this article! Click Here
Congratulations to Rockabella Boutique on their move to 10 Lake Ave (across from the City Police Station). Be sure to visit Jackie Szurek and staff for all your prom or special occasion dress needs. www.rockabella-ny.com or call 581-8386.
Congratulations to the Business Review's 40 under Forty! Dan Collins, DA Collins Companies, Mike Munter, Munter Enterprises, Inc., and Michael R. Phinney, Phinney Design Group are amongst the nominees. Thursday, May 12th at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Albany, $50 per person, for more info., call 640-6842.
Congratulations to Saratoga Specialties Company, Inc., purveyors of the Original Saratoga Chips. They recently announced that they have just completed an agreement with Williams-Sonoma to carry the Original Saratoga Chips at all their US and Canadian retail locations. With more than 250 stores from coast to coast, they represent Saratoga Specialties largest retail partner to date! “We are all excited and humbled by this opportunity!” said owner Danny Jameson.
The Residence Inn by Marriott staff with Bob Marley's band The Wailers
Saratoga Arts (The Saratoga County Arts Council at the Arts Center), located at 320 Broadway (Saratoga Springs) will be hosting its spring fundraiser “Arts on the Edge” on the evening of Saturday, March 19. The event will highlight the exhibition Figment Transport by contemporary sculpture artist John R.G. Roth. Musical entertainment will be provided and light fare and refreshments will be served. General admission tickets are $75 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. To receive an invitation, please call 584-4132.
Sloppy Kisses Yappy Hour!
Join Sloppy Kisses and area dog lovers for this fun event. Come for Cocktails, Food and Doggie Fun!!
Where: Putnam Den (63A Putnam Street - Downtown Saratoga)
When: Wednesday, March 9th
Time: 6 pm - 8:30 pm.
FREE to attend. Dogs must be well socialized and leashed at all time (Sniffing and Tail Chasing is allowed). Owners are responsible for cleaning up dog waste (They POOP, you SCOOP).
Must be 21 years to drink (No drinking age for dogs!)
Wines of March
Lake Ridge's Wines of March wine dinners start Friday, March 4th with Sebastiani wines from Sonoma California. Make your reservations soon!!! $65.00 per person. If you cant make this one there are four more in the month of March, every Friday. Call for more information.
Italy Day
March 27 from 1:00 to 3:30pm the National Museum of Dance will continue celebrating dance & culture around the world with Italy Day. Following in the footsteps of China Day, Irish Day, and India Day, Italy Day will present the culture, travel, traditional dance, cuisine of Italy. The cost of the event is $5 and museum members receive free admission. Becoming a member of the museum at the beginning of the season is the best way to get your money’s worth! Members receive free admission to the museum exhibits and to most museum events.
Impressions of Saratoga
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. To raise awareness, Impressions is going blue! The store will be decked out in blue and brown, the two colors associated with colorectal cancer. Stop in to show your support.
Souder's Promotions is happy to announce our 3rd annual Spring PromoShow which will be held at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center on March 16 from 10am to 3pm.
Once again, we will be bringing to the Capital Region more than 20 of our top promotional products suppliers, showcasing thousands of advertising ideas and corporate apparel. See our best sellers as well as new items for 2011.
Order samples from our suppliers and get some great ideas for your next event, company apparel or client thank you gift. To register for this event, log on to www.SoudersPromoShow.com
Saratoga Casino and Raceway Events
Click here for March and April 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
March 5, 2011 – Second Annual Beer and Burgers. Join us for the Second Annual Beer and Burgers at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Sample the latest brews from the premier regional Micro Breweries. Beer and Burgers will be held on March 5th 2011, at the Museum. Many of the favorite beers are returning…..new ones have been added. The Albany Roller Derby Girls will once again join us. Ticket price is $35 per person and you must be 21 year or older to attend, proper ID is required at the door. Last year's event sold out so make sure you purchase your ticket early. Space will be limited. You may purchase your tickets at the Museum or go to our website www.saratogaautomuseum.org. The Saratoga Automobile Museum is located at: 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For more information call Richard Selikoff (518) 587-1935 x 26.
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.
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 Saratoga Springs City Center Update
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Read the City Center's Blog, browse through photos...
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