September, 2018 ROOST 's design staff recently created an Adirondack travel map that includes most of New York's North Country. The navigation map contains a list of the communities and a brief description of its assets. Please stop by the ROOST office at 2608 Main Street to pick up copies for you and your customers and guests!

ROOST, in conjunction with the Malone Chamber of Commerce, business and community leaders, and the Franklin County Economic Development Office, created a multi-page guide aimed at travelers in the Malone Region. The guide offers suggested itineraries in several categories - from outdoor recreation to historical tours, with the goal of assisting visitors by showcasing all that the region has to offer. The guides are available for pick up at the Malone Chamber of Commerce at 497 E. Main Street.

Travel Unity Announces Speaker Lineup for the 4th Annual Travel Unity Summit. Event in the Adirondacks will focus on Economic Development Through Diversity September 30, 2018 – New York, NY. In anticipation of its 4th Annual Travel Unity Summit, Travel Unity, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing diversity in the travel space, is pleased to announce the speaker lineup for its 2018 Travel Unity Summit. With a focus on “Economic Development Through Diversity,” the 4th annual Travel Unity Summit will be held October 27-28, 2018 in New York State’s Adirondack region. On Saturday, October 27, Travel Unity will welcome attendees to Conference Center in Lake Placid and on Sunday, October 28, at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake. The summit's extensive speaker lineup includes: Markly Wilson, Director of International Marketing for the New York State Division of Tourism (I Love NY); Stephanie Ratcliff, Executive Director, Wild Center; Laura DiBeta, Director of Outdoor Recreation at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Michelle Clement, Director of Marketing for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) and Ernest White II, a producer and host of the global reality based TV series Fly Brother. The summit's theme of “economic development through diversity” reflects how demographic shifts across New York State, like those nationally, demand changes in how destinations and attractions market and prepare for new visitors. "Travel Unity is extremely excited to be working with such an illustrious group of thought leaders to discuss this topical and needed issue," said Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity. "This is a big step for Travel Unity. Our summit is expanding our footprint outside of New York City, bringing our network to the benefit of the rest of the state. We look forward to this being the start of the deepening of relationships with our friends from New York State's various regions." The workshops and sessions on Saturday, October 27, look first at the state of accessibility, diversity and inclusion in tourism before shifting to how businesses, non-profits, and tourism professionals can address the needs of changing populations in an authentic and welcoming manner. The presentations on Sunday, October 28, will feature speakers looking at the intersection of sustainability and diversity, along with cultural exchange in the Adirondacks. For a complete list of speakers on both days, visit: travelunity.org/speakers. For more information about the Travel Unity Summit, including online registration and the summit agenda, go to travelunity.org. ###

October 30, 2018 Saranac Lake, NY - The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism encourages community organizations and businesses to include Saranac Lake’s new brand in their promotional materials and signage. The new brand, with the logo decidedly different and corresponding graphic represents the unique blend of heritage, natural beauty, and creative spirit. It was created by ROOST and a brand advisory panel comprised of Saranac Lake stakeholders who worked through the data and research and developed the final brand. The end result is the building a unified message that increases awareness of the community for both tourism and economic development. The brand has been integrated into the destination website for the community, SaranacLake.com, and will be incorporated into ROOST’s Saranac Lake marketing materials. Signage? Ask Kelly what/where the brand will be used. “The overall goal is to create a unique image in the minds of our travelers and ultimately help differentiate Saranac Lake from other destinations,” said Saranac Lake Regional Marketing Manager Kelly Brunette. “To that end, businesses and organizations are encouraged to use the brand mark to promote their establishment as part of the overarching Saranac Lake brand.” However, to maintain a strong and effective identity means that the brand elements must be presented in a consistent manner. A complete description of the brand concept and guidelines, including approved uses of the logos fonts and colors, are outlined in a guide that is available for reference and download here. Please feel free to contact Kelly Brunette at 518.621.3649 or kelly@roostadk.com with questions on using the brand. For more information on the brand and the process in which it was created, click here: http://www.saranaclake.com/brand. ###

November 15, 2018 LAKE PLACID, NY — The Lake Placid Village Holiday Decorating Contest Committee is alerting all decorators that this year, the annual contest will coincide with the Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll slated for Dec 7-9. The winners will be announced at the tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 8. Residents and businesses who would like their property to be judged should be fully decorated by Monday, December 3rd for judging on December 4-5. Judging will begin around 5 p.m. A panel of judges will select the properties whose decorations, in their collective opinion, represent the best of Lake Placid. Winners will be selected from several criteria, listed below. Judges are volunteer representatives from the community. The committee is supported by staff from the Lake Placid CVB/Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. The 2018 themes are: Residential -Best lights -Best overall decorations Lodging Properties -Best lights -Best overall decorations Business (non retail/ non lodging) -Best lights -Best overall decorations Retail -Best lights -Best window display Residential participants should contact Bethany Valenze, events and service coordinator, at the Visitors Bureau by Monday, December 3 to ensure they are not missed. Contact her at bethany@lakeplacid.com to be added to the list if you’re off the beaten path or outside the boundaries, or with any questions. This is especially important for those who are located outside the main village area, roughly bounded by Old Military Road, Route 73 to the ski jumps, Saranac Avenue to Price Chopper or past Cobble Hill Road. ###