18 Dec Regional Office Of Sustainable Tourism Secures Eleven Conferences for 2024
The Conference Center at Lake Placid is set to welcome eleven upcoming conferences, currently scheduled throughout 2024 with approximately 4,000 total attendees, representing 6,100 room nights.
By way of comparison, there were eight conferences throughout 2023. The conferences in 2023 welcomed 2,700 conference attendees; accounting for 4,600 room nights and more than $795,000 in hotel room and conference center revenue.
The conference schedule kicks off in mid-January with the New York State Academy of Family Physicians Conference taking place over three days. April and May 2024 welcomes a number of organizations to Lake Placid including: New York State Snowmobile Association / SLED Education back in town for its second consecutive year, along with the NYS Library Association which is making its return to the region after a few years. The New York Small Business Development Center and CSEA Occupational Health and Safety have also scheduled their conferences in Lake Placid during late May.
While conferences are typically scheduled in the spring and fall, in 2024, there are a number of conferences scheduled throughout June and July, typically during the midweek timeframe. SUNY Technology, FEH BOCES Leadership, and Rural Schools Association of New York State will each be hosting conferences in June and July. Rally North America will also visit the region during its annual fundraiser on July 8 as 60 cars travel through the Northeast, from Syracuse to Maine; its participants taking part in a scavenger hunt, noting various venues, attractions and other points of interest throughout the Adirondack region.
The 2024 conference schedule continues in the fall with the NY Highway Safety Symposium and School Administrators Association of NYS conferences both taking place during late October.
Hannah Sappah, ROOST group sales coordinator, works to identify potential opportunities for conferences, corporate retreats and meetings. She works with conference planners at a variety of organizations to secure, schedule and plan these events. During the proposal stage, as well as during the conference, she works closely with the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) conference center staff and the region’s lodging properties to assess conference requirements, develop the proposals for space requirements, hotel accommodations and schedules. During the event, ORDA’s conference center staff and Sappah are on-hand to assist.
According to Sappah, the attraction of conferences and group business to the Lake Placid region represents a significant aspect of ROOST’s marketing strategy. “Our role, in collaboration with ORDA involves cultivating relationships with organizations and their event planners, presenting and encouraging Lake Placid as a destination for annual meetings, conferences, events, and retreats,” she said.
Event planners work many years in advance of their event, as the planning, details and travel logistics can take some time to finalize. With limited space available on the 2024 conference calendar, some last-minute event arrangements may become solidified. ROOST and ORDA are currently working with corporate event planners to secure dates on the 2025-26 conference calendar.
Sappah explained that many corporate event planners are excited to offer Lake Placid as a conference option to their organization. “I have had so many planners recently say how excited they are to get back to Lake Placid! Many groups haven’t been here in a number of years and can’t wait to get back,” she commented.
Conferences are most often scheduled to capitalize on Lake Placid’s “shoulder seasons” – the weeks and months between the busy winter, summer, and fall. These events help to support lodging properties, restaurants and local attractions, supporting ROOST’s commitment to supporting local businesses.
According to ROOST Chief Operating Officer Mary Jane Lawrence, Lake Placid is a popular location for meetings. “We are always excited to bring event and group travel business to the region,” she said. “These events provide an inherent marketing opportunity for the region, showcasing the Adirondacks, and the community of Lake Placid, which is a destination that many people aspire to visit. We know that an attendee’s positive experience in Lake Placid can drive future visits.”
In addition to direct benefits from each meeting scheduled, the region also benefits when attendees visit local restaurants and attractions. Event attendees often bring family members who can explore the area during conference hours. Many people take advantage of the come-early-stay-late option to extend their stay.
The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, including the communities of Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York state.
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