ROOST APPLAUDS GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS ON NEW YORK STATE BUDGET Lake Placid, NY - James McKenna, CEO of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), applauds Governor Cuomo and the state legislature for an on-time New York state budget that is highly favorable to the Adirondacks and North Country. “The 2019 budget brings fantastic news for our region, thanks to the governor and our region’s legislative delegation,” said McKenna. “Their ongoing commitment to funding programs and infrastructure that will spur economic growth through tourism is a great benefit to the North Country.” Budget highlights that directly affect regional tourism include continued funding of the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC), an increase in the I LOVE NY matching funds program, $13 million for lodging development, and $62.5 million for Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) upgrades. “The ILoveNY matching funds program increased from 4.5 to 4.9 million, which will have a direct positive impact through the entire North Country," McKenna said. “In addition, the $750 million to fund the REDCs is key in allowing the councils to keep growing. Our North Country regional council has excelled in using tourism as an economic avenue, and we are grateful for the governor’s leadership and his recognition of the councils as economic drivers.” The budget includes a $13 million fund that will support strategic lodging opportunities in the North Country. This, combined with a North Country lodging feasibility analysis being conducted by New York's Empire State Development, will better inform the state and region of the best opportunities available to meet the demands of travelers through new lodging development. “We have the natural environment and attractions, but are lacking modern hospitality infrastructure with amenities that appeal to today’s travelers,” McKenna said. “The governor’s leadership in helping to create more lodging is further proof of his commitment to fueling the North Country’s economy.” The $62.5 million in capital funding for the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) will be used to upgrade and modernize its Olympic sports venues and three ski areas. “These upgrades are integral to the continuation of the Olympic venues as an economic driver for the region," McKenna said. "With the state’s support, the venues will continue to be a tourism attractor and will be able to be used to host large-scale sporting competitions.” ROOST is the accredited destination marketing organization (DMO) responsible for promoting Essex County, Franklin County, Hamilton County, the Town of North Elba, the Town and Village of Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, Lake Placid, Piercefield, and Saranac Lake, New York to the traveling public. roostadk.com. ###

TRADE SHOW TO BRING 1,500 ATTENDEES TO LAKE PLACID NEXT WEEK Lake Placid, Adirondacks USA – Approximately 1500 restaurant industry professionals are expected to attend the Renzi Food Show at the Conference Center at Lake Placid on April 10, 2018. The invitation-only annual event is generating overnight bookings at area hotels on Monday, April 9, and Tuesday, April 10. As in past years, it is expected that attendees will not only be participating in the food show, but will also be visiting local businesses during those two days. “With the conference center’s central location in the Lake Placid village, attendees can easily browse Main Street shops and experience the great restaurants. Hopefully it will expose new future leisure travelers to our spectacular destination,” said Sarah Wheeler, ROOST’s director of sales. “The attendance at previous year's shows exceeded 1,000 people; therefore, we want to alert local businesses to the potential extra foot traffic during the event,” she said. For a list of conferences and events in Lake Placid, visit http://www.roostadk.com/lake-placid-high-peaks/conferencecalendar. ###

Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Awards announced during Community Day Lake Placid, NY— The Lake Placid Community Day Committee invites all Lake Placid residents to celebrate the community and its rich legacy of volunteerism with a picnic and party on May 20th. In addition to the announcement of the volunteers of the year, the annual Community Day event is intended to promote the many volunteer opportunities available in the region to current and new residents. The picnic and party is 1-5 p.m. at the North Elba Horse Show grounds and includes free live music, food, drinks and kids activities. To nominate a volunteer for the North Elba/Lake Placid Distinguished Volunteer of the Year, fill out the nomination form and return to ROOST by May 4, 2018. Forms are also available at the Lake Placid Visitors Bureau. They can be returned to Bethany Valenze by email at bvalenze@lakeplacid.com, or stop in the office at 2608 Main St., Lake Placid. Any previous candidates may be re-nominated. The committee also retains and reviews all past nominees. A Distinguished Volunteer award will be given in recognition of a lifetime of activity and effort on behalf of the town of North Elba and/or the village of Lake Placid. Volunteers do have to reside in North Elba/Lake Placid and the organization that they have been nominated for, and where they have performed their services, must be within the boundaries of North Elba. Nomination criteria Any individual or organization may nominate one or more candidates. Previous nomination does not disqualify person for another year. Please keep nominations confidential. All nominees will not necessarily receive an award. Include as much pertinent information to support your nomination as you can. Please provide at least 1 contact in support of your nomination. Be sure to include name and number where support person can be reached. Additional letters of support are encouraged. ###

LAKE PLACID, NY - The Lake Placid 70.3 Ironman Triathlon is now accepting volunteers for the Sept. 9 event. The competition, in its second year in Lake Placid, welcomes about 3,000 athletes for the eight-hour event and requires about 1,000 volunteers. Athletes traverse one lap of the swim, bike and run course, instead of the two laps required in the full Ironman Lake Placid held each July. The race will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Just like the full-distance race, the Ironman 70.3 depends upon a large pool of volunteers. And although it represents a shorter time commitment than the longer race in July, the 70.3 also offers grant funding through the Ironman Foundation for volunteer groups that support the event. More information on grant opportunities will be available soon. Manpower is needed in several locations, like course aid stations, the finish and start lines, the transition areas, and at the beach. “One of the most satisfying parts of the Ironman is witnessing the way local residents come together to volunteer their time to this event that lures competitive athletes from all over the world,” said Bethany Valenze, Ironman Lake Placid Volunteer Coordinator. “They bring an incredible energy that the athletes can feel throughout the race." In thanks to the volunteers, organizers will give out T-shirts, sling bags and provide food and drinks while volunteering. They also throw a post-race party with door prizes. For more information and to register, go to http://bit.ly/IMLP703Volunteer_2018. Don’t forget to like the Facebook page for the most up to date volunteer information: ###

Registration now open for inaugural bike/swim/run/kayak competition Indian Lake, NY — The Adirondack village of Indian Lake will be the first venue in the United States to host a quadrathlon, scheduled for June 16. The “Do the Q” event consists of a half-mile swim, 4-mile kayak paddle, 30K bike ride and a 10K run, in accordance with World Quadrathlon Federation guidelines. Registration is limited to 50 participants and racers will compete in all events (no relay teams). The event is presented by the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce and America’s Quadrathlon Association. The routes for each leg are still being established, but all will be in the Indian Lake region, said Len Carbonara, vice president of the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce. Quadrathlons are increasing in popularity in Europe, but this will be the first in the U.S. “We wanted to launch this event in Indian Lake and wanted to provide triathletes a different race experience,” Carbonara said. “Ironman and other triathlons are highly popular and we are optimistic this event will attract competitors looking for a new event in a new location.” Those interested in competing can sign up by contacting the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce at 518-648-5112. ###