The Lake Placid Community Day organizing committee is seeking nominations for its distinguished Volunteer of the Year award. Nominations are due by April 1.Community Day celebrates the Village of Lake Placid and the Town of North Elba; showcasing volunteer efforts of community members and specifically, those who choose to share their time with the area’s year-round activities and events.Awards will be presented at the eighth annual Community Day Celebration, taking place on Sunday, May 31. Award recipients will be recognized in two categories: distinguished volunteer of the year, youth; and distinguished volunteer of the year, adult.Nomination criteria are as follows:Any individual or organization may nominate one or more candidates.The organization’s and the volunteer’s work must be within North Elba.Previous candidates may be nominated.Nominations should include as much pertinent information as possible to support the nomination; letters of support are encouraged.Provide at least one contact in support of the nomination, including name and contact information.Nominations should remain confidential.To nominate someone for the North Elba/Lake Placid Distinguished Volunteer of the Year award, complete the nomination form and share with Catherine Ericson by email at Catherine@RoostADK.com. The committee retains and reviews all past nominee submissions.The Community Day Celebration is a joint initiative of the Lake Placid/North Elba Community Development Commission and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST).

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) recently launched its newly developed proprietary data management system. Known as Adirondack Regional Database (ADK Data), the system aligns with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and search engine improvements to ensure that Adirondack information is optimized for the way people use the internet to plan their travel.ADK Data has been designed, developed, and implemented by ROOST’s web development and design team in anticipation of a shift in trip planning behavior, specifically evolving internet search options and generative AI. ADK Data takes into account the need to centralize regional information into a format that aligns with the manner in which AI and search engines scan for and present information to the end user.According to Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, an international organization representing finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry, 40% to 50% of travelers are using AI for trip planning. In the United States, more than half (56%) of travelers used AI for at least one trip in the past year, marking a massive shift in behavior. Common uses include generating itineraries (75%), research (71%), and booking, with 78% of users making purchases based on AI recommendations.According to ROOST COO Mary Jane Lawrence, this indicates something important about how decisions are being made today. “People are increasingly comfortable using AI to learn about a destination and assist with trip planning,” she said. “Travelers are not only using AI to conduct research, but they are also acting on its guidance. ADK Data boosts the digital visibility of our local businesses while dramatically improving internal efficiency; ultimately ensuring that Adirondack businesses remain competitive in an AI-driven marketplace. It also encourages cross-promotional efforts that help visitors discover everything the region has to offer.”Managing information for a region this vast is a significant undertaking. At more than 6.2 million acres, the Adirondacks’ 105 towns boast thousands of events, activities, and lodging packages annually. ROOST manages seven regional websites for geographically adjacent areas, many of which share events and business information due to their location. The development of ADK Data allows partners - including hotels, attractions, and event planners - to sync information across this network of websites. This "input once, appear everywhere" approach reduces errors and ensures a seamless planning experience.“The development of ADK Data represents a significant step forward in how we future-proof Adirondack travel information,” said ROOST Director of Digital Strategy Jasen Lawrence. “By centralizing our local data into a highly-structured format, we are ensuring that our businesses and events are ‘AI-ready.’ This system doesn't just improve accuracy for our own websites; it ensures that when a traveler asks an AI assistant for a weekend itinerary in the Adirondacks, our local businesses and recreation opportunities are visible, accurately represented, and easy for these emerging technologies to find.”Mary Jane Lawrence explained that ADK Data allows ROOST to share information that visitors are looking for. “The Adirondack region welcomes more than 12 million visitors each year,” she said. “This technology represents a real advancement in ROOST’s destination marketing and management strategy, ensuring Adirondack communities remain competitive in an increasingly digital travel planning landscape where search engines and AI are used more than ever to plan vacations and discover local information.”ADK Data powers event, attraction, and business listings for seven regional websites, along with several municipalities and chambers of commerce, all developed and managed by ROOST, including: AdirondacksUSA.com which is an overarching website focused on the entire region; LakePlacid.com serving the High Peaks region; LakeChamplain.com serving the eastern Adirondacks; AdirondackHub.com which serves the Schroon Lake, Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, Long Lake, and Indian Lake region; WhitefaceRegion.com focused on the Wilmington, Jay, Upper Jay, and Au Sable Forks area; AdirondackExperience.com serving the Hamilton County region; SaranacLake.com; and TupperLake.com.

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism will be attending Adirondack Day on Monday, April 27. Taking place at the Legislative Office Building in Albany each spring, Adirondack Day shares information about the region’s economic diversity with New York state officials and lawmakers.The event is organized by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages. Senator José M. Serrano sponsors the event. Adirondack Day showcases a variety of businesses, attractions, and community-based organizations from across the region. It includes Adirondack-themed displays and exhibits, local food and beverages, and opportunities for attendees to meet and interact with exhibitors. The theme of this year’s event is “Love Your Adirondacks: Rooted in ___” with the blank space representing different aspects of the Adirondack Park’s key industries and activities, including: community, adventure, history, agriculture, sport, conservation, education, culture, and more. Exhibitors will create their displays and information to align with this theme, bringing attention to the many unique opportunities within the region.According to the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism CEO Dan Kelleher, Adirondack Day allows the region to share information about its economic impact and encourages ongoing support of the region. “This annual event showcases the deep roots, breadth, and longevity of Adirondack region businesses and activities,” he said. “It ultimately encourages robust conversation among decision-makers in state government, and helps to ensure that the Adirondack Park region is favorably considered when legislative decisions are made.”Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, explained the importance of Adirondack Day. “Adirondack Day is always a unique opportunity to show state legislators and other key people in Albany the breadth and depth of life in the Adirondacks,” he commented. “In addition to being highly informative, the interaction with dozens of state leaders highlights continuing priorities such as housing, broadband, and community sustainability. It is a great collaborative coming together of dozens of diverse interests. Onward and upward!”Steve McNally, president of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages and chair of the Essex County Board of Supervisors said, “Adirondack Day is an important opportunity to showcase the unique assets of our region and introduce legislators to the human side of the Adirondacks. Over 123,000 people live within the blue line and the sectors represented at Adirondack Day support the livelihoods of the people who call this region home.”New York State Senator, Chair of the Majority Conference and Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Jose M. Serrano said, “I’m pleased to sponsor the 2026 Adirondack Day here in the Legislative Office Building. It is an honor to introduce my colleagues in the legislature to all that the Adirondacks has to offer.”

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) launched its newly developed website, AdirondacksUSA.com. The website has been designed to enhance how those who may be unfamiliar with the Adirondacks access travel-related information about the area, while also aligning with trends and changes in the way people travel. AdirondacksUSA.com encourages users to “find their place” within the Adirondacks’ six million acres by using the website to learn about the Adirondacks, its geography, activities, and events throughout the region. It then directs users to one or more of the ROOST-managed regional websites. Providing information about multiple regions of the Adirondacks supports the emerging trend of travelers visiting more than one place during their vacation.“We are excited about AdirondacksUSA.com’s capacity to help introduce travellers to the entire region,” explained ROOST CEO Dan Kelleher. “Our region offers diverse and unique experiences ranging from historic forts and heritage hikes to world-class outdoor adventures to iconic hamlets and towns. By introducing travellers to all of our communities and assets, we can attract new visitors, encourage increased repeat visitation, and extend the stays of visitors.”AdirondacksUSA.com features a specially designed quiz that asks users a series of questions about the types of experiences, scenery, activities, desired accommodations, and events that interest them. Quiz results include suggestions for attractions, communities, and various regions of the Adirondacks, along with must-do activities and events best suited to their preferences.The website shares travel ideas based on seasons, events, activities, suggested itineraries, attractions, and popular activities. The website includes a hike finder, the region’s most comprehensive events calendar, and content connecting travelers with area communities. It also highlights multi-region touring experiences and special-interest travel opportunities, including the Adirondack Rail Trail, Olympic sites, stargazing, mountain biking trail networks, and Adirondack culinary experiences.According to ROOST Director of Marketing Michelle Clement, the website will support a range of ROOST’s marketing efforts, including email outreach, seasonal campaigns, and other promotional initiatives. “The new website and refreshed Adirondacks, USA branding will help us reach new audiences through targeted campaigns and tailored messaging that introduce people to the Adirondacks in a way that reflects their interests,” she said. “When users visit the site, they’ll quickly understand where the Adirondacks are and why the region is worth exploring. Through rich imagery, maps, quizzes, and other features, the site helps them find their place and follow a clear path to the experiences, communities, and information that matter most to them.”AdirondacksUSA.com is one of eight Adirondack region-focused websites developed and managed by ROOST. These sites include: LakePlacid.com serving the High Peaks region; LakeChamplainRegion.com serving the eastern Adirondacks, AdirondackHub.com which serves the Schroon Lake, Minerva and North Hudson region; WhitefaceRegion.com focused on the Wilmington, Jay and Au Sable Forks area; AdirondackExperience.com serving the Hamilton County region; SaranacLake.com; and TupperLake.com.AdirondacksUSA.com was developed with support from a grant provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

The Whiteface Region of upstate New York is set to welcome athletes and outdoor enthusiasts this June with a lineup of race events. The Wilmington Whiteface Uphill Bike and Foot Races and the Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run and Festival have been scheduled.“These races are a fantastic way to highlight everything Wilmington has to offer,” said Christina Ortiz, director of the Whiteface Visitors Bureau. “It’s a chance to experience the community’s warm hospitality, explore our expanding trail networks, and take in the stunning Adirondack scenery. This is one of the most dynamic times of year to be here.”The race season kicks off Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. with the Wilmington Whiteface Uphill Bike and Foot Races, followed by the Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run and Festival, which caps off the month on Saturday, June 20.Starting in the heart of Wilmington and finishing at the summit of Whiteface Mountain, the Adirondacks’ fifth-highest peak, the uphill bike and foot races span eight miles, mostly along the scenic Veterans Memorial Highway. The steady 8% grade and total elevation gain of 3,500 feet make this a challenging climb, culminating in panoramic views of the Adirondacks, New England, and Canada.Cyclists start at the Whiteface Region Visitors Bureau, 5753 NYS Route 86, in Wilmington, while runners begin just up the road at the junction of routes 86 and 431. Finish lines for both races converge near the mountain’s summit. More than 300 cyclists are expected, including some crowd favorites tackling the climb on unicycles. Registration for bikers is open at WhitefaceRace.com/bike.Runners are encouraged to pack warm clothing for the finish, as temperatures atop Whiteface can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler than at the base. Backpacks can be loaded into a summit-bound vehicle. Runners can learn more or sign up at WhitefaceRace.com/run.Later in the month, the ninth annual Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run and Festival brings a spirited twist to race day Saturday, June 20, 2026. The 5K and 10K races begin at 9:30 a.m. at Preston Memorial Field, with options to race in person or virtually. Learn more or sign up at Whitefaceregion.com/events/wilmington-whiteface-whiskey-run.The Whiskey Run is more than a race. It is a family-friendly festival open to all. Runners and visitors can enjoy a craft show, food trucks, live music and entertainment, a Wilmington history display, raffles, and more. The festival highlights Wilmington’s past, including its role in supplying rye whiskey to American troops during the War of 1812 and harboring bootleggers during Prohibition. More recently, the town was home to US Barrel, a cooperage for whiskey barrels.Whether conquering mountain roads, tackling trails, or enjoying a day of community celebration, the Whiteface Region’s June events offer something for every adventurer. Registration for all races is open. Visit WhitefaceRegion.com or call the Whiteface Region Visitors Bureau at 518-946-2255 for more information.