Mark your calendars! You’re invited to join us for the Travel Unity Summit on November 5-6, 2021 in the Adirondacks. Travel Unity is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training for organizations in the travel industry. The in-person conference will take place at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid, November 5-6, 2021. Why attend? The Travel Unity Summit will focus on why diversity is key to a region's sustainability, and how we can attract a more diverse travelers. Who should attend? Business owners, frontline workers, community leaders, and anyone who is interested in creating a vibrant future for the Adirondack region. Save on registration: ROOST is proud to host and sponsor the 2021 Travel Unity Summit and we want to help you save on registration! About Travel Unity: Founded in 2016, Travel Unity is a 501(c)(3) focused on increasing diversity in the world of travel through individual and community empowerment. For the travel industry, Travel Unity provides certification, training, workshops, DEI audits, and other services around DEI. For individuals, Travel Unity provides educational opportunities to youth, people with disabilities, and other under-represented groups to learn about travel as a means of personal and professional development. Register Now for Travel Unity 2021

Lake Placid, NY – Travel Unity will host its 2021 Summit both online and in-person, with virtual sessions taking place October 27 - 29, 2021, and live sessions in Lake Placid, NY on November 5 - 6, 2021. This year’s theme is “How to Practice Applied DEI.” “The Summit will focus on why diversity is key to a region's sustainability, and how we can attract and welcome more diverse travelers,” said Mary Jane Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST). “We encourage business owners, frontline staff, and anyone interested in fostering vibrant communities to join us for the conference." Topics for this year’s Summit include “Travel Media, Sustainability, and DEI,” "Tourism and Communities,” and “The Tour Industry and DEI.” “Travel Unity’s philosophy has always been about going beyond performative statements and reactive, short-term initiatives,” said Roni Weiss, the Executive Director of Travel Unity. “This year’s Summit will be wholly focused on how to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into the day-to-day of both organizations and individual professional roles.” “After welcoming over 475 virtual attendees from around the globe for last year’s Summit, it was clear that there was a desire within the industry to hold deeper conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Romey Louangvilay, President of Travel Unity’s Board of Directors. “We are also excited to be able to hold our first in-person event since 2019, thanks to the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, this year’s Hosting Sponsor, which will bring us back to the Adirondacks, where we held 2018’s Summit.” MMGY Global is supporting the event as a Silver Sponsor. Bronze Sponsors are the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Cayuga County Tourism. Visit Rochester, North America Tour Hub, and Yonder are also sponsors. Travel Unity is also pleased to welcome the support of ITMI, RISE Travel Institute, Tourism Cares, Tourism Diversity Matters, Wanderful, and Women in Travel. Virtual speakers include Lebawit Lily Girma (Skift), Danny Guerrero (MMGY Global), David Holder (Clarity of Place), Kelley Louise (Impact Travel Alliance), and Greg Takehara (Tourism Cares). Speakers in Lake Placid will include Linda Ayares, Nicky Hylton-Patterson (Adirondack Diversity Initiative), Karen Kuhl (Cayuga County Tourism), and Romey Louangvilay (ELMNTL). Tickets can be purchased by visiting: https://bit.ly/TUSummit2021 For more information about Travel Unity and to donate funds to the nonprofit’s programs, visit www.TravelUnity.org. About Travel Unity Founded in 2016, Travel Unity is a 501(c)(3) focused on increasing diversity in the world of travel through individual and community empowerment. For the travel industry, Travel Unity provides certification, training, workshops, DEI audits, and other services around DEI. For individuals, Travel Unity provides educational opportunities to youth, people with disabilities, and other under-represented groups to learn about travel as a means of personal and professional development. About ROOST The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) 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. In October 2020, ROOST announced the organization was selected to participate in a diversity, equity, and inclusion pilot program with Travel Unity. ###

Lake Placid, NY - The IRONMAN Community Task Force has released a survey to local businesses and residents to better understand the impact of the IRONMAN race on our communities. Those who take the survey will be asked about specific positive impacts, as well as challenges, associated with hosting the IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon. Respondents have the opportunity to be as detailed as possible. The questions are posed as multiple choice with the option to add more elaborate comments. “Regardless of your position on the topic of IRONMAN, this is your opportunity to have your voice heard,” said Ann O'Leary, local business owner and IRONMAN Community Task Force member. “This survey is a beginning step to be able to adjust, rectify, or eliminate any grievances regarding this event. Your input is invaluable to the outcome.” The IRONMAN Community Task Force was formed to evaluate economic and community impacts of the IRONMAN triathlon. Through surveys, interviews, and data, the IRONMAN Community Task Force will better understand the impact of the IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon on local communities. “We are going into the 22nd year of hosting IRONMAN, and we felt this long relationship deserved our due diligence with input from community members and businesses in the decision on how to proceed in the future,” stated Mary Jane Lawrence, COO at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. 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. 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 25. To complete the survey, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IRONMANLP About the IRONMAN Task Force Members were selected based on recommendations by business owners, residents and the involved municipalities, and on the members’ longstanding engagement in the IRONMAN discussions with the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. Members reside and/or work in the communities of Lake Placid, Keene, Jay, and Wilmington. Local governments are also represented, as well as the IRONMAN Lake Placid race director. More information on the IRONMAN Task Force can be found at www.RoostADK.com/Ironman-Task-Force. ###

Lake Placid, NY --- Community members are invited to participate in a community call to provide feedback on proposed strategies being developed for the region’s Destination Management Plan. Two, one-hour sessions will be held, one on November 1 at 8 a.m. and one on November 3 at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to join one of the calls. The Destination Management Plan will provide a 10-year road map that aligns the priorities of government, economic development, community organizations, and residents to balance the tourism industry with community needs. Greg Oates, Senior Vice President of Innovation with MMGY NextFactor, a consulting firm specializing in travel and tourism, will be conducting the community calls. “We’ve been engaging community leaders, business owners, residents, and a variety of other organizations for the last nine months to understand how the tourism industry can contribute to the quality of life for residents, and how to best diversify the economy,” said Oates. “The upcoming community calls provide a chance for all residents to provide input on the development of the Destination Management Plan.” For any residents who might not be able to attend the virtual session, Oates said he welcomes any input directly. He can be reached at GOates@NextFactorInc.com. To take part in one of the two sessions, please click on the following link to participate: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83089665533 Or call in: 929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 830 8966 5533 ###

Lake Placid, NY --- The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) will host a community call on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the progress being made towards the Lake Placid 2023 Winter World University Games. This 11-day competition and festival will be hosted in Lake Placid and the greater Adirondack region January 12 - 22, 2023. The virtual meeting will be held on Zoom. Attendees can view and listen in through their computer, tablet, or phone. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82379467564Call in: 929-205-6099Meeting ID: 823 7946 7564 In addition to World University Games updates, other topics that will be discussed include the State’s continued commitment to the region, Lake Placid’s Main Street reconstruction, housing, and an update regarding the Olympic Regional Development Authority’s (ORDA) ongoing renovation of its venues. As the largest winter multi-sport collegiate event in the world, the Lake Placid 2023 World University Games are expected to bring more than 2,500 student-athletes and coaches from 50 nations and 600 universities to Lake Placid and the North Country region to compete in 12 sports and 86 events. Student-athletes will contend for medals in alpine and Nordic skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, biathlon, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, short track and speed skating (long track), and snowboarding. Presenters will include James McKenna, President/CEO of ROOST; Ashley Walden, Executive Director of Adirondack Sports Council; and Mike Pratt, President/CEO of ORDA. A question-and-answer opportunity will follow a presentation. Businesses and residents are encouraged to participate and are invited to email their questions and comments ahead of time to Kristin@LakePlacid.com. ###