This week in ROOST news!

ROOST in the news The Press-Republican covers the open house ROOST and the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce held to introduce locals to the new Information Center and answer questions about the destination planning process. READ THE ARTICLE Jack LaDuke photo

Our destinations in the media AmericA Magazine, a publication based in the Netherlands for Dutch who like to travel to North America, discusses the history of Great Camps and their role of helping to popularize the Adirondacks. The piece was written by Jan Donkers, who ROOST hosted in November and December 2014.

• Did you know that Chinese tourists could help your bottom line? • Did you know that the number of Chinese visiting New York State has increased in each of the last five years to 800,000 and will continue to grow? • Did you know that the average Chinese tourist spends an average $7,200 per trip — well above the global average of $4,500? • Did you know that Chinese people highly value mountains, water scenery and clean air? • Is your business China Ready? I Love New York has opened three offices in Mainland China to encourage more Chinese people to visit New York state. In March, with sponsorship from The Wild Center, the Adirondack Foundation and Adirondack Regional Tourism, The Wild Center’s Hillarie Logan-Dechene participated in the first ever I Love New York China Sales Mission. Logan-Dechene represented both The Wild Center and the Adirondack region during the three-city tour speaking to hundreds of tour operators in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. On June 17, Hillarie will share what she learned and present some of the information I Love New York has disseminated during their “China Ready” trainings throughout the state. For the Adirondack Region to benefit, many organizations need to work together to welcome this new market. Join us for an information sharing session on: Wednesday, June 17 From 10:00 am to 11:30 am at The Wild Center’s William H. Flammer Jr. Theater 45 Museum Drive Tupper Lake, New York 12986 Chinese tea and cakes will be served. RSVP to Patrick Murphy at 518-359-7800 ext. 116 or pmurphy@wildcenter.org by June 15. Who should attend? Hotel and motel owners and managers restaurant owners and managers museum and attraction marketing staff regional marketing professionals chamber of commerce members and personal any other interested parties What will you get? Information sheets from I Love NY Practical information on getting your business China Ready A networking opportunity with other businesses who want to tap into this lucrative market

Albany, N.Y. — PGA of America President Derek Sprague visited the New York State Senate on Wednesday, May 27, to underscore the ties between the golf industry, New York state and tourism in the North Country. Sprague is both the Professional Golfers' Association of America president and the PGA general manager at Malone Golf Club in Franklin County, New York. He met with Sen. Betty Little and Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, then made a presentation to the Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, chaired by Sen. Little. In his address, he explained the PGA of America and its goals to grow the sport of golf, and its commitment to the state of New York. Sprague spoke about the economic impact of golf, as it is a $5.3 billion industry in the state. He then appealed to the lawmakers to act on a proposed occupancy tax for Franklin County. As a PGA golf professional running a 36-hole golf club in upstate New York’s Franklin County, he reiterated the importance of tourism, and the need to increase the investment in promotion. “We rely on our guests from Canada, and we need to have dollars to bring more golfers and skiers to the region. Golf is just one component of tourism; we have birding, canoeing, fishing and hiking, but golf puts heads in beds,” Sprague said. "Franklin County is at a competitive disadvantage, as one of only SIX counties in New York state that doesn’t have an occupancy tax. Reinvesting in tourism will keep people employed, generate tax dollars for the state and for the county with no burden to residents." At the New York State Senate Session that followed, a resolution was adopted congratulating Derek Sprague on the occasion of his election as president of the Professional Golf Association of America. ### Video of the NYS Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, May 28, 2015 Video of the NYS Senate Meeting, May 28, 2015 (Resolution at approximately 10:45) From left to right, Derek Sprague, PGA of America president and Malone Golf Club pro, New York State Senator Betty O’C Little, and Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan discuss the proposed Franklin County occupancy tax in Albany, N.Y.