Name? Angelita Nevo Where you live? Deerwood Hills, Lake Placid Where are you from? Nassau, NP, Bahamas How long have you worked at ROOST? 2 1/2 years Job title? Visitor Service Specialist Job duties? Serve as a liaison between our visitors and marketing partners. To ensure visitors are aware of all that we have to offer and that their stay is enjoyable. What do you like about working at ROOST? The team is constantly looking to improve the visitor experience and ways to promote the area to reach the widest audience. What's your favorite book and why? "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson MD - This book is a great reminder that, whether we are ready or not, change occurs! That it is our responsibility to take the initiative and work on our problems and that our attitude and the way we perceive change will affect our careers and lives. What are your three favorite things to do outside of work? I love cooking, gardening, and relaxing with a good book. Tell us about your pets and/or children. I have "fur" babies, two dogs and two cats. They have us trained, or as my husband would say, we are here to "serve and provide for them." Who is your hero and why? My Dad! He was a person of great integrity and wisdom. No matter what he was doing, he always had time to listen if I had a problem or wanted his advice. He was never too busy for his children.

One of the most powerful marketing tools ROOST has for communities and businesses across the North Country are our regional events calendars. Every one of our destination sites offers any public event the opportunity to have its very own page on the site. Any event that is local and open to the public can be submitted for an event listing. We will review and create a page that posts to the appropriate website's events page. Our events pages are some of the most trafficked on each of our sites. The events listing is also a quick and easy way to boost your event in Google searches for things to do in your region. Not only does an event listing help you get in front of thousands of travelers visiting our sites, it also makes it easier for us to incorporate your event into other marketing efforts. These listings are one place our photographer, videographer, bloggers, communications staff, and marketing staff monitor to help plan our marketing calendars. So mark your calendars to get event info up on our calendars! Here's a list of links for event submissions: Lake Placid (LakePlacid.com) Lake Champlain Region (LakeChamplainRegion.com) Saranac Lake (SaranacLake.com) Tupper Lake (TupperLake.com) Hamilton County (AdirondackExperience.com) Schroon Lake (SchroonLakeRegion.com) Franklin County/Malone (VisitMalone.com)

ROOST statement following the Governor’s address at the Plattsburgh International Airport on Jan. 23: “Once again, the Governor has identified an issue that affects the economy of the region, and he’s addressing it head-on. Specifically, he has recognized that updating the on-mountain amenities at Gore and Whiteface will help our destinations to meet, and hopefully exceed our Northeast competition,” said James McKenna, president of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. “Given the unpredictable weather patterns, the Governor’s initiative on the zipline and coaster attractions will lead to a stronger year-round revenue stream for ORDA, and help support all of the venues under their management,” continued McKenna. “More importantly, the resulting increased activity at Whiteface can drive private investment in the surrounding resort communities, especially in the hamlet of Wilmington.” The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) applauds the initiatives that Governor Cuomo identified in his 2017 State of the State on Jan. 12. During his presentation on Wednesday, the Governor announced a number of program proposals, including several that will have a meaningful impact on the Adirondack North Country. Plattsburgh International Airport The North Country region has long been dependent on travelers who drive here from northeast markets. The increased investment and expansion of the Plattsburgh International Airport will make travel easier and more convenient for those from those feeder markets, and there will be better potential for direct flights from U.S. hubs. This, in addition to ongoing investment and improvements at the Adirondack Regional Airport in Harrietstown will play a key role in increasing charter, private jet, and consumer air traffic to the region. “Successful airports lead to successful economies. Bravo, Governor,” said James McKenna, president of ROOST. Greenway Tourism The Governor’s proposed 750-mile paved bike trail network will link Manhattan and western New York to the Lake Champlain corridor. “This proposed trail will expose even more people to the Lake Champlain region, which is some of the most beautiful landscape in the entire State,” said McKenna. North Hudson Following the completion of the Finch Pruyn land purchase, the Governor’s proposal for the resurrection of the former Frontier Town property in North Hudson as a Gateway to the Adirondacks is well-timed. “The Gateway project will serve as an anchor and allow for growth in and around the 5 Towns that comprise the Upper Hudson Recreation Hub,” added McKenna. “This will provide first-time visitors with a terrific jumping off point to explore some of the most scenic wilderness in the region, and increase travel throughout the entire Adirondack North Country region.” Ride Sharing Many Adirondack North Country communities lack transportation linkages that most of today’s travelers take for granted. “Ride sharing services such as Lyft and Uber are widely accepted and utilized modes of transportation in many areas of the world,” said McKenna. “The addition of ride sharing options will provide a much-needed service for both residents and travelers to our region, facilitating travel within and between the Adirondacks’ rural communities.” Sustained tourism growth In 2016, despite a slow weather-related start, the region has rebounded as a result of investment in warm-weather marketing programs. According to Smith Travel Report, lodging revenue was down 7 percent from January through March as compared to the same period in 2015. At the end of November, lodging revenue is now showing a 4.1 percent increase in revenue over 2015. We have experienced ongoing sustained and continued growth: 2014 was up 5.2 percent over 2013; 2015 was up 4.6 percent over 2014; and through November 2016, we were up 4.1 percent over the same time period in 2015. “The Governor’s leadership and new programs will be a game changer here in the Adirondacks,” said McKenna. “His continued promotion of tourism as an economic driver and increased investment through programs such as I Love New York and Market New York, have been a catalyst for significantly increased traveler activity throughout the region.” ### ROOST is the accredited destination marketing organization (DMO) responsible for promoting Essex County, Franklin County, Hamilton County, the Town of North Elba, the Town and Village of Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, Lake Placid, Piercefield, and Saranac Lake, New York to the traveling public. roostadk.com

Lake Placid, adirondacks, usa —The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is pleased to announce its 2017 Board of Directors. ROOST elected three new, and reelected five current board members and elected officers at its annual meeting and Winter Social on Monday, Jan. 16. The new slate was announced at ROOST’s Winter Social at Big Slide Brewery and Public House in Lake Placid, which was attended by ROOST staff, board members, businesspeople, and elected officials from throughout ROOST's eight Adirondack regions. As guests mingled, ROOST CEO James McKenna spoke briefly and introduced the staff. Outgoing Board Chair Mike Beglin then reviewed the dramatic growth of the organization over the three years he was chair of the board. In the official annual meeting held just prior to the Winter Social, new board members Mark Jessie of Tupper Lake, Lisa Hess-Marks of Schroon Lake, and Andrea Holderied of Lake Placid were elected to a 3-year term. In addition, current Board Directors Chris Ericson, Charlie Cowan, Melinda Little, Jill Cardinale, and Sarah Wilson were all reelected to an additional term. The 2017 ROOST board is comprised of the following: Chair: Ed Finnerty, Vice President/Counsel, Champlain National Bank Vice Chair: Melinda Little, President, Point Positive, Inc., Saranac Lake Treasurer: Charlie Cowan, financial consultant with Longrun Wealth Advisors LLC Secretary: Bob Hockert, owner of Adirondack Sauna in Wilmington Mike Beglin, immediate past ROOST board chair and owner of Beglin’s Lake Placid Jewelry and Gifts Beth Hill, executive director at Fort Ticonderoga Jill Cardinale, owner of The Pines Inn Sarah Wilson, Sarah Wilson Communications in Keene Chris Ericson, former ROOST board chair and owner of the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery Marc Galvin, owner of the Bookstore Plus and past president of the Lake Placid Business Association James Lemons, executive director of the Lake Placid Center for the Arts Jecinda Hughes, owner of Origin Coffee in Saranac Lake Mark Jessie, owner of Raquette River Brewing in Tupper Lake Lisa Hess-Marks, owner of Pine Cone Mercantile in Schroon Lake Andrea Holderied, operations director at Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid ROOST is the accredited destination marketing organization (DMO) responsible for promoting Essex County, Franklin County, Hamilton County, the Town of North Elba, the Town and Village of Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, Lake Placid, Piercefield, and Saranac Lake, New York to the traveling public. roostadk.com. -ROOST-

The Empire State Winter Games multi-sport winter festival will be held Feb. 2-5 in 2017, and it's bigger and better than ever this year. Check out this list of volunteer needs - and sign up to be an integral part of this exciting event - up close and personal! Volunteer Opportunities: Athlete Check-in - Conference Center at Lake Placid Assist with checking in the Empire State Winter Games Athletes. Friday, February 3: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and/or 2 - 6 p.m. ESWG HQ - Mid's Park, Main Street, Lake Placid Help give out free s'mores, hot cocoa and information. Friday, February 3: 2p.m. - 6 p.m. and/or 4 - 6 p.m. Saturday, February 4: Noon- 4 p.m. and/or 2 - 6 p.m. and/or 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, February 5: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and/ or Noon - 2 p.m. Marathon Skate - Mid's Park, Main Street, Lake Placid Assist in the marathon skate course set-up. Saturday, February 4: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Please contact Mary Gallagher at mary@roostadk.com or by phone at 518-621-3537. CLICK HERE to see a complete schedule of ESWG events! -ROOST-