Visitors to Lake Placid, adirondacks, usa’s destination website, lakeplacid.com, will find a user-friendly booking option on every page. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has launched the new booking platform on April 27 with a very visible presence on the website. The new booking engine, developed by Inntopia, is utilized by a number of destinations worldwide, and replaces the limited system that was developed many years ago for the region’s lodging properties. “The booking option allows us to be more competitive in the destination marketplace, and offers the experience that today’s consumer expects,” said James McKenna, president of ROOST. “This is they way that people are making their travel decisions today.” The booking engine offers not only lodging options, but activities and attractions as well. “Today’s consumer wants to book their theater tickets or rafting trip along with their room,” added McKenna. “That bundling capability is very important, and once we have a critical mass of options on the platform, will really set us apart as a destination.” Several lodging properties and one attraction were available as booking options for the launch, with a number of additional lodging and attractions in the queue to be activated soon. “We’ve seen thousands of sessions and a number of bookings already,” said Jasen Lawrence, director of marketing for ROOST. “And now that the highly visible ‘book your trip’ bar is online, we’re hearing from a number of local lodging properties and businesses who want to be included.” The booking engine is now available on lakeplacid.com, but will be rolled out to the other regional destination websites in the region over the next year, including whitefaceregion.com, saranaclake.com, tupperlake.com, lakechamplainregion.com, adirondackexperience.com, schroonlakeregion.com and visitmalone.com. Businesses with questions and interest in participating in the new booking engine are encouraged to contact Glenn Pareira, ROOST's advertising sales manager, at glenn@roostadk.com or 518-874-0255. "Book your trip" bar on lakeplacid.com

Lots of solar, EAT ADK Restaurant Week, and a new Board Corner!

The Essex County Fair is looking for sponsorship. The fair always welcomes monetary donations, but another important way to sponsor the fair is by donating a gift certificate to your business. Fair organizers raffle off the gift certificates to help finance the fair, plus it encourages people to visit your business - a win-win situation! Download a sponsorship form here: 2016 Sponsor letter & list. Return the form via email to fair Secretary Bertha Rand via email at countyfairfun@yahoo.com, and contact her there for more information. This year's Essex County Fair runs Aug. 10 to 14 and it's located at the Essex County Fairgrounds, at the corner of Route 9N and Sisco Street in Westport.

In coordination with a number of partner organizations and businesses, CV-TEC is excited to announce the offering of AIME 2.0 at CV-TEC in Mineville for graduating seniors and adults! The Assembling Industry: Manufacturing and Education class has been offered in Plattsburgh for the past six years and is currently in its 17th class. The job placement rate for completing participant’s is over 90 percent. The new class in Mineville is based on the same model as Plattsburgh, however, the curriculum has been adjusted based on input from: Pre-tech Plastics, General Composites, Crown Point Tel/Bridge Point, International Paper, Essex Industries, and North Line Utilities. Participants will attend an eight-week, 120-hour class beginning June 27. Instruction will be offered in Lean 101, Precision Measurement, Hand and Power Tool Use and Safety, Blueprint Reading, Intro to CNC Machining, Intro to Welding, Machine Maintenance and OSHA 10 Certification. Participants will also be prepared to take the National Work Readiness Credential test. This test measures Situational Judgment, Active Listening, Workplace Math and Workplace Reading. Soft skills are reviewed and integrated into every aspect of the program. Prior to the class starting, participants will participate in a tour of manufacturing businesses. At the conclusion of AIME 2.0 there will be an “Employment Seminar” at CV-TEC hosted by the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce. Students will have the opportunity to interview with several local manufacturing employers. AIME 2.0 is geared to graduating seniors and adults looking for a good job in manufacturing. Graduating seniors should talk to their school counselor for more information. All others, please call Patty at 518-561-0430 ext. 3004. AIME is a collaboration of the Essex County IDA, Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce, Moriah Central School, Crown Point Central School, ETS, Inc., North Country Community College, Clinton Community College, CITEC and ACCES-VR. For more information, contact Cathy Snow at 518-561-0430 ext. 3079.

You are cordially invited to attend the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner! Tuesday, June 7, 5:30 p.m. at Nonna Fina Italian Restaurant Citizen of the Year will be awarded This award has been given annually for exemplary volunteer efforts demonstrating creativity, vision, leadership, and citizenship by providing service to programs and activities that positively impact the welfare of the Saranac Lake Area and beyond. Business of the Year will be awarded This award is based on business growth and improvement, good financial health, quality customer service, staying power, overall excellence in the marketplace, and Saranac Lake Area community contributions. ? Live music by Joe Dockery! Hits from the 60's, 70's, and also some jazz standards ? Tickets are $30, cash or check preferred Included in admission price is a buffet dinner, one drink ticket, live music, and a chance to catch up with our wonderful community business members and friends! Pay at the door!