The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has released a set of “Politely Adirondack” posters that encourage social distancing, hand washing, and mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. With Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement Wednesday that the North Country had met all the criteria necessary to begin the four phases of reopening, businesses in Phase I will be able to operate starting May 15, 2020. However, local, state, and national health officials are still encouraging everyone to maintain social distancing or wear a mask when that is not possible. ROOST’s in-house design team created a series of posters encouraging these measures with friendly messaging and cute Adirondack animals. These signs are part of a campaign to create an upbeat, visually pleasing and Adirondack-branded message. Politely Adirondack posters have each region’s logo, and can be downloaded and printed from the ROOST website. ROOST will also be distributing the designs to its communities on larger posters and outdoor yard sale signs for higher traffic areas. “As we start the first of the four phases, it is important we follow the guidelines set forth by the state, in order to proceed to the next steps. Following the guidelines will ensure everyone stays healthy as we start the region's economic recovery,” ROOST CEO James McKenna said. The posters are part of a toolkit that ROOST has developed for local businesses. In addition to the Politely Adirondack posters, the toolkit includes photos and videos from each region that can be shared on social media, and information on keeping social media channels fresh. The toolkit, images, videos, and posters can be found at www.roostadk.com/toolkit. ROOST conducts tourism promotion for seven regions in the Adirondacks, including Essex and Hamilton counties, along with the Lake Champlain Region, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and the Adirondack Hub, which includes the towns of Minerva, North Hudson, Newcomb, and Schroon Lake.

Please join us for a regional update on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. During the call we will be covering the following important topics: Public Health UpdateStatus of OpeningBack to Business TrainingLocal Kick-start InitiativesHiker Parking and Information Video and Screen Share Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1489259204 (Preferred as visuals will be shared) Call-in Information: Phone: +1 (470) 869-2200 Meeting ID: 148 925 9204 Please remember to follow us on Facebook for quick access to the latest updates.

ADIRONDACKS, NY - The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has released a new Love Your ADK toolkit to help Adirondack businesses increase awareness of the importance of following the Leave No Trace principles when enjoying the outdoors. The Love Your ADK pledge and accompanying hashtag (#LoveYourADK) are meant to be used on websites and social media to encourage anyone who recreates in the Adirondacks to be a better steward of the lands, waters, and communities. The pledge asks that everyone make the commitment to check for invasive species, be respectful of wildlife and other people, and follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. Education is key in bridging the gap between tourism and environmental stewardship. To help, ROOST has developed the toolkit containing a set of Love Your ADK web banners and social posts for Adirondack businesses to use. These will help educate first-time outdoor recreators on Leave No Trace principles and other Adirondack information. “Adirondack businesses can use this toolkit to reach customers and visitors before they get to the Adirondacks,” ROOST CEO James McKenna said. “By engaging everyone - locals and visitors alike - we hope everyone will abide by these best practices, which will keep the Adirondacks a special place. “We really encourage anyone who is preparing to travel here to visit the website and take the Love Your ADK Pledge. We want people to be equipped with the proper education to enjoy the Adirondacks responsibly and safely. If all businesses use these resources and have a consistent message, it is another step that we can take as a community to protect our outdoor spaces.” The pledge was developed by ROOST in conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Adirondack Mountain Club, and the Adirondack Council. As of May 27, more than 400 people from numerous states had signed the pledge. The Love Your ADK pledge can be found at www.loveyouradk.org, and the business toolkit can also be found at www.loveyouradk.org/toolkit. Businesses and organizations can download the social media posts and website banners to promote responsible stewardship. The website also has the Leave No Trace Seven Principles, as well as an Adirondack Park fact sheet.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and the communities of Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, and Schroon Lake are pleased to announce the creation of a new brand and website to promote tourism in the southeastern Adirondacks. Formerly known as the Schroon Lake Region, the region is now branded as the Adirondack Hub, emphasizing the region’s position as the ideal launching point for Adirondack adventures. “Now is the time to position the region in a way that showcases how we are ‘the hub’ for a unique Adirondack experience,” said Stephanie DeZalia, North Hudson Town Supervisor. “The new developments and proposed projects surrounding the old Frontier Town property, and the opening of the former Finch Pruyn properties bring new recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike. The ADK Hub offers a sense of the road less traveled, bringing to mind the verse by Robert Frost: "Two roads diverged in a wood and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." The re-branding of the region, along with the development of the website, is part of a project that has spanned more than a year of collaborative partnerships with area elected officials, business partners, and the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce. The result of the collaboration being a brand new website, AdirondackHub.com, as well as a new brand package that includes the Adirondack Hub logo and matching marks for each of the towns within the region. “The new brand incorporates the character of all of the communities that make up this unique region,” said Supervisor Steve McNalley of Minerva. The new Adirondack Hub website also has a major section devoted to highlighting the Upper Hudson Recreation Hub, which spans the five towns of Newcomb, North Hudson, and Minerva in Essex County, as well as Long Lake and Indian Lake in neighboring Hamilton County. “It was important that the new region also takes into account all of the work and achievements we have made together as the five towns alliance,” stated Robin DeLoria, Supervisor for the Town of Newcomb. “As we move forward, we are excited to be able to add itineraries that tie together our region with our neighbors in Long Lake and Indian Lake.” In addition to the new Adirondack Hub website, ROOST assisted the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce with the development of its new website, SchroonLakeChamber.org, enabling the Chamber to continue its invaluable work in promoting and supporting area businesses and the economic growth of the region. Sue Palisano, Executive Director at the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce, shared that “Having a completely re-designed Chamber website with increased functionality, in addition to the new branding efforts for the region, will give us the tools we need to successfully continue our mission to support the region's economic vitality and quality of life.” “These new sites are a great representation of the region’s beautiful, friendly small towns and the truly amazing recreation opportunities all around,” said ROOST CEO James McKenna. “This region really is a hub for getting outside, exploring, enjoying the offerings here, and we feel that this new brand really represents that to the traveler in an exciting way.” ROOST is the destination marketing organization for Essex and Hamilton County as well as the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. The brand files as well as a complete description of the brand concept and guidelines, including approved uses of the brand are outlined in a guide that is available for reference and download at www.adirondackhub.com/brand. ###

Please join us for a regional update on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. We will be discussing several important topics including a public health update, Phase 3 reopening information, “Local Kick-Start” initiatives, and more. Video and Screen Share Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1492523901 (Preferred as visuals will be shared) Call-in Information: Phone: +1 (470) 869-2200 / Meeting ID: 149 252 3901 Please remember to follow us on Facebook for quick access to the latest updates.