The IRONMAN survey has been completed and the data compiled. This information will help the IRONMAN Community Task Force better understand the impact of the IRONMAN race on our communities. Join us for a community call to review the results of the Ironman Survey. Date: Tuesday, November 30 Time: 5:30p.m. - 6:30p.m. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84207130698 OR Call in number: 929-205-609 Meeting ID: 842 0713 0698 RSVP via the Facebook Event

Lake Placid, NY -- The results of the IRONMAN Task Force Committee community survey are in and the numbers show that there is generally support for the IRONMAN race, but there are opportunities for improvement to make the event more favorable for locals and regional residents. The survey was released by the IRONMAN Task Force and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) and ran from October 20 to November 1. With the goal of understanding the impact of the IRONMAN race on the community, respondents were asked about specific positive impacts, as well as challenges, associated with hosting the IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon. 1,598 complete responses were used in data analysis, with respondents segmented by zip code to best understand how the race is viewed based on location. ROOST Chief of Staff Mary Jane Lawrence began a Task Force meeting by saying that the goal of this is to “accomplish what is best for the communities moving forward.” In the first general question, overall respondents indicated that they are in favor of the IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon, with 49% in favor and 41% opposed. However, just accounting for locals who live on the course itself (449 complete surveys out of 1,598), almost 50% oppose hosting the race. The numbers show that locals living on the course are less supportive of the event than locals who do not live on the course. Those who have competed, volunteered, or been a spectator are much more likely to support the IRONMAN race, while those who have not been involved in any way, are not as likely to voice support. For business owners, overall favorability of IRONMAN is very similar to that of those that do not own their own business. Lowering the impact of the race itself was a common theme in many responses. The number one complaint amongst all respondents was athlete training, specifically road cycling, in the weeks leading up to the event. One respondent commented that training creates dangerous road conditions, especially in the Wilmington Notch, a main thoroughfare with small shoulders. Overall, respondents said they support establishing a maximum number of competitors (26%) and altering the route to minimize congestion (24%). Training before the big race is just as important to consider. ROOST CEO James McKenna said that aside from the IRONMAN race itself, “there are a lot of people who like to [cycle] on the course. Projections of cycling indicate growth regardless of the event.” To many on the Task Force, that information means it’s time to enhance "share the road" messaging and better communicate the rules of the road. “People are very aggressive when driving,” said Dorine Peregrim, one Task Force member said during a meeting. “People need to ride single file. These are just simple courtesy issues when we share a single resource.” Lawrence followed up by saying that regardless of the outcome of these Task Force meetings a major goal of 2022 marketing should be to promote sharing the road. What’s next After studying the data, the Task Force will make recommendations on how best to proceed with IRONMAN in the future. In 2021, when considering whether or not to renew the IRONMAN contract, it was decided to extend a one-year contract with IRONMAN Group and form the task force to gather further community insight. Dave Christen, IRONMAN Regional Director and Task Force member, said that many of the detriments respondents indicated in their surveys will inform actionable items for future races. Christen said there are some statics, like the date for the 2022 IRONMAN race, but certainly educational elements can be addressed sooner rather than later. The IRONMAN Community Task Force aims to offer a recommendation no later than the end of 2021. The 2022 ViewSPORT IRONMAN® Lake Placid triathlon will take place on Sunday, July 24, 2022. Full survey results can be found on ROOST’s research webpage. Information on the IRONMAN Task Force can also be found on ROOST’s website. ###

Saranac Lake, NY - Ring in the New Year with a festive display of fireworks in Saranac Lake! The fireworks will begin at 8 p.m., not midnight, and will be launched from their traditional location at the boat launch on Lake Flower. Outgoing mayor Clyde Rabideau and his spouse Janie are underwriting the event that was approved at the last village board meeting. "I will be retiring in March 2022 after serving twenty-four years in public office, the last twelve of which as Mayor of Saranac Lake, and I am grateful for this privilege,” said Mayor Rabideau. “Janie and I wanted to express our gratitude by underwriting this year’s New Year's Eve fireworks.” Spectators will be able to view the fireworks display from the sidewalks opposite lakeside on River Street or from Riverside Park. “Midnight fireworks are the norm, but we felt like 8 p.m. would make this event more accessible to children who might usually be asleep by midnight,” added Rabideau. Pending the public health situation in the region as it relates to the COVID-19 cases, the Village reserves the right to cancel the fireworks display at any point in time. ###

Lake Placid, NY - To share your Olympic spirit, join local Olympians for an evening of ice skating and gold medal fun. On Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 7 - 8 p.m. at the James B. Sheffield Olympic Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid, Paul Wylie, Karen Courtland Kelly, and Patrick Kelly (and possibly Andrea Kilbourne) will be present for skating, photos, and autographs. The cost will be $10/person. Adirondack Mac from the World University Games will be in attendance. Paul Wylie is an American figure skater, and the 1992 Olympic silver medalist in men's singles skating who now resides in Lake Placid, NY. Karen Courtland Kelly is a former American pair skater. With partner Todd Reynolds, she won the bronze medal at the United States Figure Skating Championships in 1993 and 1994, and finished 14th at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. Patrick Kelly is a former ice speed skater from Canada, who represented his native country in two consecutive Olympic Winter Games, starting in 1992 in Albertville, France. He now lives and skates part-time in Lake Placid, NY. Following the skate in Lake Placid, the Men’s Free Skate at the Beijing Olympic Games will air at 8:30 p.m. on NBC. ###

To our elected officials, business partners, and community members, As we move into 2022, with the Empire State Winter Games and the Beijing Winter Olympics behind us, we wanted to share the highlights of our 2021 program of work and the 2022 Marketing and Management Plan. In 2021, we focused on addressing the needs of our communities, while continuing to speak to the traveler in unique and engaging ways. That is detailed here in this 2021 End Of Year Report. Our passionate team of professionals is committed to continuing to work towards a stronger sense of community, and to deliver the highest quality and most engaging work to the traveler. We look forward to working alongside all of you in 2022, engaging in productive conversation to continue to support healthy and vibrant communities throughout our region. We hope you take the time to review our accomplishments from the past year and our plans for the year ahead! Thank you, James B. McKenna, CEO Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism 2021 End of Year Report 2022 Marketing and Management Plan