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Schedule

TUESDAY, MARCH 6: TOURISM ACTION DAY

LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING, EMPIRE STATE PLAZA, ALBANY
Tourism: The Heart of New York Stat's Economy11:00 am: Registration; Noon: Luncheon
Everyone is encouraged to visit with their state legislators on Tourism Action Day, hosted by the Tourism Industry Coalition of New York State. The day will include lunch and overview of the issues in the Legislative Office Building (NOT THE EGG, as in previous years!). There is a small fee to attend the luncheon/rally, separate from your conference registration. For more details, visit www.nyshta.org and click on “Events Registration,” or call 518-465-2300.

TUESDAY, MARCH 6: EMPIRE STATE TOURISM CONFERENCE

1:00 to 6:00pm Conference Registration - Albany Marriott

5:30 pm: Conference Opening Reception Event - Albany Marriott Kick off the Empire State Tourism Conference with an enjoyable gathering of your colleagues for hors d'oeuvres and light fare, and visit with our conference sponsors and exhibitors.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7: EMPIRE STATE TOURISM CONFERENCE

6:15 am to 7:15 am:   Yoga Class. $10 per person, pay at door. Bring your own mat or blanket, wear comfortable clothing. Pre-register with Loreen at loreenrm@hotmail.com.

7 am to 6:30 pm: Registration - Albany Marriott

7:30 am to 8:45 am: Breakfast buffet

9:00 am to 10 am: Keynote Address - The Power of Destination Marketing
Dr. Bill Siegel, Longwoods Group of Companies
Washington State has just shut down its tourism office, the first time that has happened since Colorado cut the state's tourism budget to zero in 1993. Bill Siegel documented the disastrous result of Colorado's elimination of the state's marketing funding. Now, in a new study commissioned by the U.S Travel Association, Bill showcases examples that provide dramatic and convincing evidence that destination marketing is a wise investment for taxpayers, even in difficult economic times. Promoting tourism does not compete with entitlement programs, but rather it helps pay for them, putting cash into public coffers, creating jobs, and enhancing the lifestyle of both tourists and residents.

10:00 am to 10:30 am: Break with exhibitors - Exhibition Area

10:30 am to 11:30 am: General Session - The State of the Tourism Industry
Nan Marchand Beauvois, United States Travel Association

11:45 am to 12:45 pm: Breakout Sessions - Descriptions Next Page

  • Marketing Trends. Sharon Rossi, Vice President, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
  • Emerging Media Marketing, What's Right for You? Debbie Gioguindo, Media Marketing Consultant
  • Guerilla Research. Gary DeYoung, Director, 1000 Islands International Tourism Council

12:45 pm to 2:15 pm: Lunch Buffet with Award Presentations
Featuring Special Guest Speaker Kenneth Adams, President & CEO/Commissioner, Empire State Development

2:15 pm to 3:15 pm: Breakout Sessions - Descriptions Next Page

  • Partnerships—Green Tourism & Transportation. Caylin Sanders, Escapemaker.com
  • Stick to the Facts: How to Give Your Legislative Message. Sponsored by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSHTA)
  • Measuring Your Success. Doug Motel, Site Optimized.

3:15 pm to 3:45 pm: Break with exhibitors – Exhibition Area

3:45 pm to 4:45 pm: Closing General Session.
Edward Maitino, Managing Director of the Division of Tourism at Empire State Development

5:30 pm to 6:30 pm: Cocktail Reception – Exhibition Area

6:30 pm to ??: Dinner and Scholarship Auction with Destinations of New York State

THURSDAY, MARCH 8:

Morning: Breakfast Snack Bar in the Hospitality Suite - Albany Marriott
Overnight Guests Depart