Please join us for an update on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. We will have updates on the following: Summer construction activities Summer eventsJuly 4 celebration Updated state guidelines Video conferencing link: https://zoom.us/j/96715695378 Call-in alternative: (929)-205-6099 Meeting ID: 967 1569 5378

Adirondacks, USA - 2020 was an unprecedented year. Visitation and social trends during 2020 were noticeably different in some areas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitation by respondents from New York State jumped to 79%. With the border closing and travel restrictions, only 2% of respondents indicated visiting from Canada, and only 5% of out-of-state visitation was from outside the Northeast. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) contracted with an independent third-party research firm, PlaceMaking, to conduct the 2020 Leisure Travel Study (LTS), which includes a regional return on marketing investment analysis, plus traveler data for Essex and Hamilton counties. One pronounced change from prior years’ research is the increase in average party size. This could be another pandemic-related change, with families or friend groups traveling together. The results of LTS study contribute to ROOST’s always evolving data-driven decisions. “We can leverage numbers and insights and incorporate trends into our marketing strategies. This is a great opportunity to better understand leisure travelers in our region,” said James McKenna, ROOST’s CEO. The total estimated trip expenditure was $1,667, which represents a nearly 30% increase in average overall spending per visitor group. Reported spending on lodging, meals, and shopping all showed substantial increases from recent years of data. “Of course we have to evaluate trends in 2020 differently,” said Mary Jane Lawrence, ROOST’s COO. “We can’t directly compare the results of the 2020 survey with previous years due to the circumstances. Still, survey results demonstrate key demographic and traveler insights we can use moving forward.” Travelers are coming to the area to play and stay, according to the survey. Average stay length increased across the board. In Essex County, average stay length roughly doubled the average from the last five years to 6.5 nights. Hotels / motels remained the most reported lodging choice at 47%. Short-term rentals grew in reported use substantially, coming in as the second most popular choice. In Hamilton Country, short-term rentals had less of a shift than other regions or even nationwide. Hotels / motels and camping / RV were each reported by 28% of respondents in Hamilton County. “The differences in some of the individual county results highlight the need to continue to promote the unique product offerings throughout our regions,” said McKenna. Hiking of all levels was a huge draw for those seeking outdoor activity. 90% of respondents who indicated that they came to the area for outdoor activities stated that hiking was an activity they sought. The breakdown of hikers is an estimated 69% day hikers, 48% leisure hikers on hard man-made trails, 38% family hikes, 35% high peaks (46er) and 8% backpacking. Canoeing or kayaking also nearly doubled from prior years across all regions. Outdoor activities in general were the main draw to the regions. In Hamilton County, 87% of respondents selected this as their most reported attraction to visit the area, up from 69% in 2019. Essex County also increased to 89% in 2020 compared to 74% compared to 2019. “It’s no mystery there’s a growing popularity in outdoor recreation,” said Janelle Hoh, ROOST’s Communications Coordinator. “The results from the survey support that. This just makes it more important for us to focus marketing efforts on responsible recreation and to promote the Love Your ADKs campaign.” It is important to note the travelers surveyed do not represent all the travelers to the region, only the ones that saw ROOST marketing, follows ROOST’s Facebook destination pages, or subscribes to its weekly email. The entire 2020 LTS report, which includes data on day trip travelers, short-term rentals, and additional ROOST research, is available for download at www.RoostADK.com/Research. 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. ### 2020 Leisure Travel Study Cover

Wilmington, NY - In an effort to share the community and outstanding natural resources with everyone, Wilmington, New York has recently launched the Wonders of Wilmington (WOW) Challenge. This is no ordinary challenge: participants here are invited to complete the Hiking, Mountain Biking, or Family Fun challenges to receive their patch. Each WOW Challenge consists of six selected "trails," with the optional experience of visiting the summit of Whiteface Mountain or Little Whiteface in whatever way is most appropriate: by foot, by car, by bike, or by gondola. For each Challenge completed, participants are able to register online to be added to our finisher’s roster and receive the corresponding 3-inch WOW patch. And, if a pet companion joins, they can be registered and receive a 2-inch WOW patch designed just for them! "My family and friends have had so much fun participating in several of the local hiking challenges and earning patches,” said Karen Keasler, Wilmington resident & WOW creator. “Wilmington is lesser known but has so much to offer including being the home of Whiteface Mountain and the ‘mountain bike capital of the Adirondacks,’ so we thought it would be great for Wilmington to have its own challenge. “We named the program the ‘Wonders of Wilmington’ and hope that people and pet companions will enjoy experiencing the area through these WOW challenges,” Keasler continued. The WOW Hiking Challenge includes a set of trails not included in any of the other local hiking challenges. Trails range in length from 2 miles to 8-miles round trip and in difficulty from easy to challenging. It’s not all about hiking, though. There’s a patch-earning Challenge just for mountain bikers. Riders get to tackle some of the finest trails around, in what has been dubbed "the mountain bike capital of the Adirondacks." For families and groups, the WOW Family Fun Challenge is more about experiences than hikes or rides. This WOW challenge is designed intentionally for multi-generational families and groups to enjoy together “Wilmington offers so many unique activities to be enjoyed by both residents and travelers alike. Adding the WOW Challenges is just another way to enhance and showcase what the area has to offer,” stated Savannah Doviak, the Whiteface Region Regional Marketing Manager with ROOST. “We are excited to see this new program launch.” For more information or to register your Challenge completion, visit www.WondersOfWilmington.com. ###

Adirondacks, U.S.A. - Stewart’s Shops and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) are partnering this summer and fall to educate visitors on backcountry preparedness. As part of the Love Your ADK campaign, there will be messages aired at Stewart’s Shops locations about using the restroom before heading out to the trailhead and making sure adequate supplies are packed. “The uptick in outdoor recreation is noticeable across the Adirondacks in every activity,” said Savannah Doviak, ROOST’s Special Project Manager. “Education is a great way to spread awareness in a meaningful way. We are excited to be working with Stewart’s Shops on this project to educate hikers and outdoor enthusiasts on preparedness, waste in the backcountry, and where restroom facilities are located.” Backcountry preparedness is the main focus of ROOST’s Love Your ADK campaign. Love Your ADK was launched in April of 2020 in partnership between the Adirondack Mountain Club, Adirondack Council, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, and ROOST. The goal of the program is to create unified and up-to-date information that will help travelers and recreationists learn how to best prepare for their outdoor adventures. ‘Go Before You Go’ The “Go Before You Go” campaign will run through the summer and fall, from July through October, during the peak season for outdoor enthusiasts traveling to the Adirondacks. Video displays inside Stewart’s Shops locations will air two different videos with “Go Before You Go” messaging and other important hiking preparedness tips. Outdoors at fuel pump stations, similar messaging will also air in an audio ad. “Stewart’s Shops has always been that quick stop on your way to the trailhead to stock up on snacks and drinks. We encourage everyone to do their part and ‘Go Before You Go’ and preserve the beauty of the Adirondack Park,” said Erica Komoroske, Stewart’s Shops Director of Public Affairs. In addition to audio and video messaging, digital and print content was created for this campaign. On the Waste 101 page of the Love Your ADK website, ROOST has added a map that includes Stewart’s Shops, other public restrooms, and visitor centers. Rack cards will also be available at visitor center locations and other high-traffic locations with relevant information and a QR code that directs to the online map. 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. ROOST is also a Community Member of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Stewart’s Shops is an employee- and family-owned and operated convenience store chain with over 345 locations in New York and southern Vermont. ### https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3w-hugBy2s Video Screenshot - PrepardnessVideo Screenshot - 'Go Before You Go'

Lake Placid IRONMAN Join us for a community discussion on renewing the IRONMAN contract for 2022. Date/Time: Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 10 a.m. Video link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83524614032?pwd=NzJaWks4NXZITTE1OHlDQWpMR0NHZz09 Call information: 646-558-8656 US Meeting ID: 835 2461 4032Passcode: 268315