What: The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is hosting a “Campfire and Cocoa” event. Between Christmas and New Year’s, visitors and local residents can enjoy complimentary s'mores and hot cocoa while they stroll Main Street. The campfire will keep people warm as they visit and enjoy this free, fun, and family-friendly experience. Where: Mid’s Park, Main Street, Lake Placid. When: Thursday, December 26 through Tuesday, December 31, 2024; from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. each day. Who: Hosted by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST). Cost: Free. Additional information: ROOST staff members will be on-site, sharing additional information about events and activities, along with suggestions for making the holiday week memorable. Information about local holiday week activities can be found at: lakeplacid.com/holiday. Mid's Park offers spectacular views of Mirror Lake and the surrounding mountains; it hosts summer concerts and various activities throughout the year. The park is named after Mildred "Mid" Uihlein, who was instrumental in preserving the space as a public park.

Adirondack Winter Pride weekend is taking place March 7-9, 2025, with activities planned throughout Lake Placid and Wilmington for LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, and their allies. Organizers are encouraging businesses, restaurants, hotels, civic groups, individuals, and others to consider participation through sponsorships, events, and special promotions. According to Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance (ANCGA) Executive Director Kelly Metzgar, the event will bring many people to the Lake Placid region, some for the first time. “We are really excited about this event and anticipate that attendees will spend a great deal of time visiting the region’s businesses and attractions,” she said. “We are encouraging business owners and managers to consider hosting an evening event or welcome party. Properties may consider special welcome packages, or restaurants might develop a unique cocktail or appetizer. The opportunities for involvement are unlimited.” Businesses that would like to take part should contact info@adkwinterpride.com. Additionally, businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring ADK Winter Pride should contact Metzgar at Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance via email at info@adkncga.org. Metzgar continued, “This event will be a great opportunity to bring the LGBTQ+ community, our families, and allies together for a spectacular weekend to enjoy the fun, excitement, splendor, and history of our region. Whether enjoying our skiing venues or exploring other local attractions, guests will be making our Adirondack Winter Pride Weekend a ‘must attend’ annual event for years to come.” A special Lake Placid Legacy Sites winter passport will serve as participants’ credentials, allowing access to Adirondack Winter Pride events, Olympic venues and attractions, discounts on Legacy Site experiences, tickets for the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation World Championships, and other activities throughout the weekend. Hosted by ANCGA in partnership with I LOVE NY, the Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority), and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), Adirondack Winter Pride will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with a weekend that features a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages throughout Lake Placid and at the region’s historic Olympic venues. Activities include a welcome reception, skiing at Whiteface Mountain along with an après-ski party, access to Olympic venues, cross-country skiing, and more. Those wishing to learn more about the event are encouraged to visit AdkWinterPride.com for information and registration.

Eighty-four percent of those surveyed believe tourism positively impacts their community The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism has compiled and released the results of its third annual tourism impact survey, conducted in late 2024. The survey gathered feedback from residents and business owners in Essex and Hamilton counties, as well as the villages of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, regarding their perceptions of tourism's impact on the local economy and community. The survey was designed to capture business owners’ and residents’ perceptions and opinions on various topics related to tourism in the region. It aims to uncover sentiments regarding tourism-related activities and their impacts that contribute to the local economy and social environment, as well as identify topics that may be sources of concern. The survey questions were structured to elicit "agree" or "disagree" responses to gauge overall opinions. Additionally, several questions were open-ended, allowing respondents to provide further information and insights. Key findings include: The vast majority of respondents (84%) believe that tourism positively impacts their community. A majority of respondents indicated that tourism benefits businesses (86%) and believe it boosts job opportunities (74%), an increase from 84% and 73%, respectively, in 2023. Business owners indicated that increased business during specific months would be beneficial, with May (61%) being the most frequently mentioned month. The majority of respondents (75%) agree that tourism positively impacts local amenities and activities, reflecting stronger agreement compared to previous years. A majority of respondents (69%) indicated that growing the year-round population is important to them. A majority of respondents agree that tourism increases housing costs in the region, with 75% sharing this view. The survey also assessed some of tourism's challenging impacts, such as higher housing costs and reduced community enjoyment. Dissatisfaction with these impacts increased by 3% to 5% in 2024, compared to 2023. The percentage of people perceiving a negative impact from short-term rental properties in their neighborhoods increased by 5%. Results underscore the importance of various initiatives undertaken within local communities, as well as those initiated by ROOST, to ensure the tourism economy has a positive impact. These initiatives include the Community Tourism Enhancement Fund, which provides funding to each of the 18 towns in Essex County to enhance the community for both residents and visitors, funded by a dedicated 2% Essex County occupancy tax. Additionally, an event committee was established to review large-scale events and implement recommendations to mitigate their impact on community members, along with the Love Your ADK initiative, which helps educate residents and visitors about ways to support the environment while enjoying outdoor recreation. Most recently, ROOST added an economic development position to assist with local initiatives involving workforce housing, state grant applications for community improvement, and other projects designed to benefit Essex County residents. “The resident sentiment survey is an important component of understanding the impacts of tourism on local residents,” stated ROOST President and CEO Dan Kelleher. “We appreciate that 84% of respondents affirm the overall benefits of tourism in our region, and we also recognize the important work ahead of us in continuing to assist our communities with housing, large-event mitigation, and other destination management initiatives.” According to ROOST Chief Operating Officer Mary Jane Lawrence, destination management and marketing organizations (DMMOs), such as the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, collaborate with local governments, organizations, communities, and residents to strike a balance between economics of the local tourism industry and community needs. “To fulfill our role as a DMMO, it is important that local sentiment is clearly identified and understood,” she said. “This survey of residents and business owners will help us identify economic, societal, and community issues, and overall feelings about the tourism economy’s impact on the region. The more we understand these impacts, the more effectively we can help make or suggest improvements and changes, while also planning for the future.” Business owners and residents were invited to complete the survey via email, social media, news reports, and local notices. A total of 734 surveys from residents and business owners, completed between October 7 and November 16, were included in the results, with a 4% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. According to Layne Dowdall, data analyst at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, overall community sentiment is more accurately gauged with a larger sample size. “We are pleased with the number of respondents. With any survey, we aim to achieve a sample size that provides accurate information and precise results, while minimizing the margin of error. Typically, we target a margin of error between 4% and 8% at a 95% confidence level, meaning the total population's opinion is within 4% to 8% of the survey results.” Those who participated in the survey were incentivized with the chance to win a VISA gift card through entry in a drawing. A link to survey results can be found here.

​​The Conference Center at Lake Placid is set to host more than 22 conferences throughout 2025. These conferences are anticipated to bring an estimated 4,100 attendees to Lake Placid, accounting for approximately 8,290 room nights. By comparison, 2024 saw 26 conferences with 6,606 attendees, accounting for 8,589 room nights. ROOST Chief Operating Officer Mary Jane Lawrence explained that most conferences and corporate events are scheduled more than a year in advance, while some conferences are also scheduled within the year that they take place. “We anticipate that the overall number of conferences will be similar to last year,” she said. According to Lawrence, attracting conferences and group business to the Lake Placid region represents another aspect of ROOST’s marketing strategy. “ROOST strives to attract mid-week travel to the region, and to increase the average length of stay,” she said. “While the number of contracted conferences is slightly lower this year, the increase in room nights indicates that attendees are staying an extra day or two to explore the area.” Lake Placid’s success in attracting conferences is a testament to the partnership between ROOST and the Olympic Authority’s conference planners at both organizations, who work with local hotel properties to secure, schedule, and plan these events. Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) VP of Sales & Revenue, Tait Wardlaw, added, “Lake Placid offers unique experiences not found anywhere else. From team building at a biathlon range to tours through the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and venues, the signature event offerings are one of a kind.” Conferences are often scheduled during Lake Placid’s “shoulder seasons” - between the busy winter, summer, and fall periods. These events support lodging properties, restaurants, and local attractions, aligning with ROOST’s mission to bolster local businesses. “In collaboration with the Olympic Authority, we look to cultivate relationships with organizations and event planners, showcasing Lake Placid as a premier destination for annual meetings, conferences, events, and retreats,” Lawrence said. The 2025 conference schedule kicks off in late January with the New York State Academy of Family Physicians Conference, a three-day event. Lake Placid will welcome several organizations between March and May, including the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, NYS Child Passenger Safety, and The New York Small Business Development Center. The SUNY Technology conference returns for its second consecutive year in June, followed by the Rural Schools Association and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services conferences in July. The 2025 schedule continues into the fall, with the NY Conference of Mayors in September. October will feature NY GeoCon, the Public Employees Federation (PEF) annual conference, and the Mansback Tradeshow.

The Adirondacks continue to welcome Canadian travelers The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has been closely monitoring the Canadian response to tariff implementation, along with continued political tension between Washington and Ottawa. The Adirondack region welcomes thousands of travelers from Canada each year; disruptions to travel across the border will affect the area in a multitude of ways. According to ROOST CEO Dan Kelleher, Canadian travelers continue to have a strong reaction to the impact of US government policies. “Proposed and impending federal policy, particularly related to tariffs, has created unease among Canadians,” he said. “As a result, we are receiving feedback that many Canadian travelers have opted to change or cancel their US travel plans.” Adirondack communities have always enjoyed a strong relationship with their Canadian neighbors, traveling freely and often across the border for vacations, shopping, sporting events, and day trips. International hockey tournaments, cross-border Lake Champlain boat travel, easy access to outdoor recreation, and overnight stays, have inextricably linked our region’s tourism economy with Southern Ontario and Quebec. The Adirondack region is within a day's drive for approximately 50% of the Canadian population (16,000,000 ON, 9,000,000 QC). This region is an easy vacation destination for many Canadian travelers - for a week, a long weekend, or even an overnight getaway. Each year, the Adirondacks welcome Canadian travelers, who share local residents’ love of the outdoors and natural beauty that the region offers. Canadian visitors to the region contribute significantly to the local economy through lodging stays, dining at restaurants, retail and local attraction spending, and participation in local and regional events. Kelleher continued, “Tourism is one of the largest industries in Essex, Hamilton, and Franklin counties, so we remain concerned about any negative impacts on reduced Canadian travel to our region. Just a 1% decrease in total visitation means a loss of nearly $12 million in spending at local businesses, and a reduction of up to $583,000 in local tax generation.” The relationship between the United States and Canada, especially from a tourism perspective, is always top of mind for ROOST, as it ultimately affects each of the communities in the Adirondacks. ROOST will continue to share travel information with Canadian travel markets, encourage them to visit and, as always, work to ensure that Canadians are welcome and valued visitors to the region.