The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) recently partnered with Warren County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to commission a survey to determine the desire for potential new year-round residents to the Adirondacks. Camoin 310 of Saratoga Springs, New York designed the survey and will compile the results. The survey is targeted for people living outside of the Adirondack Park. Results will help commissioners understand the important factors which would allow someone to consider relocating to the Adirondacks. One goal is to study if remote working has the potential to increase the possibility of singles and families to move. Included are questions regarding the potential housing demands, which covers: rental and ownership, and where the price range demand is. Responses will also illustrate what amenities are necessary to attract new residents. This includes: childcare, broadband, and school systems, to name a few. “With an evolving economy and a changing work environment, we must determine if there is an opportunity to grow the population of year-round residents in the Adirondacks,” said James Mckenna CEO of ROOST. “Many of our schools, services, and downtowns have the capacity to accommodate more year-round residents. Accurate data will provide insight needed on a number of issues like housing (for existing and new residents) and the opportunity to become a more diverse population with a more diverse economy.” Surveys will be sent out to contact lists from different organizations throughout the Adirondacks and on social media platforms. “The Adirondack region has unique appeal to people looking for healthy, safe, smaller communities with abundant open space and outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Jim Siplon, Interim President Economic Development Corporation of Warren County, NY. “We believe professional relocation could be an important new growth opportunity in these communities, and we are gathering data as a key part of our strategic plan. The Warren County EDC is eager to work with people who are considering the benefits of making their year-round homes in the Adirondacks.” Please share the survey with people who have interest in relocating to the Adirondacks year-round. It can be found here: https://camoin.surveysparrow.com/s/Guest-Satisfaction-Survey-/tt-c77c09? The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York State. Warren County EDC is the economic development engine for Warren County, New York, attracting new businesses to the area, and helping existing ones expand. ###

Lake Placid, NY - The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is pleased to announce changes to the board of directors effective January 1, 2021. ROOST's board of directors, responsible for governing the organization, is comprised of 12 individuals, with at least one director from each of the regions ROOST supports. Recent changes to the board include electing Sarah Wilson to Chair and welcoming Chip Grundon and Hillarie Logan-Dechene onboard. Leaving the board are Jill Cardinale, Andrea Holderied, and Shawn Goodway. Sarah Wilson - ChairCharles “Chip” Grundon - Member Hillarie Logan-Dechene - Member "We are all excited to be on the ROOST team. Our goal is to provide direction for the ROOST organization and go above and beyond to promote our local communities, as places where locals can thrive alongside visitors,” said Wilson. “As we work through the public health crisis we are focused on ensuring that our tourism economy is positioned for sustainability - economic, social, and environmental." The board currently consists of: Sarah Wilson, Chair; Chandler Ralph, Vice Chair; Marc Galvin, Treasurer; Lisa Hess-Marks, Secretary; and the following members: Michael Doran, Charles (Chip) Grundon, Mark Jessie, Leslie Karason, James Lemons, Hillarie Logan-Dechene, Nick Politi, and Garrick Smith. "With representatives from varied backgrounds, the board represents a broad range of perspectives, insights, and expertise," said James McKenna, CEO of ROOST. "Our volunteer board of directors dedicates a lot of time on behalf of our destinations, and we extend our thanks to our outgoing directors, Jill Cardinale, Andrea Holderied, and Shawn Goodway for the leadership and commitment they provided during their tenure." Sarah Wilson brings a welcomed communications and public relations background to the board. She is the founder of PoP! Communications and has managed a variety of media for agencies ranging from Lionsgate Entertainment to Hillshire Farms. Wilson has also co-managed a U.N. funded non-profit in Harare, Zimbabwe with the U.S. Peace Corps. With her husband, teenagers, and pets, Wilson resides in Keene, NY. Her alma maters include SUNY Albany and Boston University, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in emerging media at The New York School in New York City. Wilson has served on the ROOST board since 2014. Charles “Chip” Grundon is a dedicated servant of public communities. He retired after 22 years as a firefighter, has won Life Saving Awards, and has worked with the Whiteface Visitors Bureau and Town of Wilmington Zoning & Building board. Chip and his wife currently manage the Lake Placid/Whiteface Mtn KOA in Wilmington, which they first visited in the 1980s. They got hooked on the KOA then and decided to become full-time campers. The pair have been managing the KOA since 2009. Aside from camping, Chip enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, hunting, and fishing, especially with his wife, 6 children, and 14 grandchildren. Hillarie Logan-Dechene has long been a force in Adirondack communities. She currently works as the deputy director at The Wild Center after previously working in the Development Department at what is now the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, and as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Paul Smith’s College. Logan-Dechene’s schedule is full but very rewarding. In addition to serving on ROOST’s board, she is also a commissioner on Governor Cuomo’s New York State Commission on National and Community Service. Logan-Dechene is an adjunct professor at Skidmore College and has been a guest lecturer at Syracuse University, SUNY Adirondack, and NYU. She resides in Long Lake with her husband and family. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York State. ###

You're invited to join us for an overview of the 2021 Marketing Plan. During the meeting, we will review major initiatives for 2021, discuss winter to date, and outline priorities for spring and summer. This will be a collaborative discussion, so please bring any ideas and questions you may have. Hamilton County - January 15, 2021 (11:00 a.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1482664217Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 266 4217 Lake Placid/High Peaks Region - February 1, 2021 (10:00 a.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1480625766Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 062 5766 Saranac Lake Region - February 2, 2021 (10:00 a.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1487359684Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 735 9684 Adirondack Hub - February 2, 2021 (1:00 p.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1487211237Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 721 1237 Lake Champlain Region - February 3, 2021 (10:00 a.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1485954899Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 595 4899 Whiteface Region - February 3, 2021 (1:00 p.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1498262744Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 149 826 2744 Tupper Lake Region - February 4 (2:00 p.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1487589862Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 758 9862

Dear Partners, Even though 2020 was a year of unique and historic challenges, we have found our successes in working with community residents, businesses, governments, and visitors during this unprecedented time. Traditionally, this is the time of year we gather for our annual meeting and winter social. Although that’s not possible this year, we want to share with you the highlights from our 2020 program of work enclosed in the link below. As we embark into the new year, we will continue to focus on the safety and economic health of our communities, using new and creative marketing initiatives to speak to the reinvented travel market. Our outdoorsy, community-driven, fun, creative, passionate, and dog-friendly team are excited to tackle 2021! Thank you, James B. McKenna, CEO Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism View the: 2020 End of Year Report 2020 End of Year Video Coming up next: You're invited to join us for an overview of the 2021 Marketing Plan

Crown Point, New York - The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is conducting a short survey to help refine the destination marketing message for the Lake Champlain Region. The Lake Champlain Region comprises the towns of Keeseville, Willsboro, Essex, Lewis, Elizabethtown, Westport, Moriah/Port Henry, Crown Point, and Ticonderoga in Essex County, New York. The survey is designed to better understand what motivates people to live, work, and play in the region. Respondents are asked questions about the quality of particular activities, such as hiking, fishing, history experiences, and dining out. One example question asks respondents to describe the Lake Champlain Region to a friend. Results from the survey will be used by ROOST and a committee, made up of business and community members from around the Lake Champlain Region, to refine the destination marketing message and to create a new brand statement. The brand statement is a concise summary of what makes the region unique and special as a place to live, do business, and visit. This will be used to set the message and tone for marketing efforts. “We know that the Lake Champlain Region is an exceptional place,” stated Suzanne Maye, the Lake Champlain Region Marketing Manager for ROOST. “We are excited to work with our partners throughout the region to develop a consistent message that will guide us as we position the Lake Champlain Region to attract new travelers and potential future residents.” Both local residents and visitors of the Lake Champlain Region are encouraged to complete the short survey, which can be found at www.LakeChamplainRegion.com/Survey. Respondents to the survey will be entered into a drawing with three chances to win a $50 Visa Gift Card. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York State. ###