April 2017 - Lake Placid, adirondacks, usa — The Conference Center at Lake Placid has begun its busy spring season and is set to welcome over 8,500 attendees at a string of conferences and events starting this month and running through the fall. “These events are scheduled taking into account the region’s shoulder season, and assist the lodging properties with room occupancy in traditionally quieter months,” said Mary Jane Lawrence, director of marketing for the Conference Center. “In addition, many attendees and their families will take advantage of the come-early-stay-late option to extend their stay in the region.” The sales strategy for the Conference Center at Lake Placid is conducted cooperatively by the Lake Placid CVB/Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) and the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). The strategy includes attracting a combination of regional day business, and multi-day, town-wide conferences, which are typically booked years in advance. Just as leisure travelers can provide a link to future conference business, the meetings represent a built-in marketing opportunity for the destination, as a conference attendee’s positive experience in Lake Placid can drive future visits to the area with friends and family, said Lawrence. The Conference Center’s spring season began this Tuesday by welcoming 1200 attendees to the Renzi FoodService Show that included representatives from restaurants, hotels, pubs, and food outlets from across New York State. The next conference is the Empire State Tourism Industry Association from April 24-26, with an anticipated 250 attendees. The 2017 schedule continues on into the busy fall with conference and special events. For a complete listing, click here.

Name? Jay Bennett Where do you live? Jay, NY Where are you from? Freedom, PA How long have you worked at ROOST? Since January 9th, 2017 Job title? Data Analyst 1-2 sentence description of your job duties: I interpret data from websites, social media, lodging, surveys, and other sources as well as build reports using data compiled across multiple platforms. This data is then used to ensure that we're spending our money and time as best we can as well as provide a better experience for the people that see our content and marketing. What do you like about working at ROOST? I moved to the area to spend time in and around Lake Placid, so the location of the office is what I like most. What's your favorite book and why? I don't like books. I wish I did, but I just can't make it through one. It actually makes me feel pretty inadequate. I guess now that I think of it, I do like to read cook books from start to finish. What are your three favorite things to do outside of work? I like to cook, hike, and kayak. Tell us about your pets and/or children. I have two cats, Pepper and Puff Puff; a dog, Poochie; and a bird, Chirpy. The only pet I named myself was Pepper. What are you passionate about? I passionately listen to podcasts. What places are on your travel bucket list and why? What's your favorite place that you have traveled to? My favorite place I've traveled to was the Adirondacks, so I moved here. What song would you sing at karaoke and why? I would do the right thing and not subject the audience to my singing. What three albums helped shape who you are? Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Aesop Rock - Labor Days The Mountain Goats - Tallahassee If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? I would just like to live forever. I feel like immortality isn't too much to ask for.

April 2017 - Lake Placid, adirondacks, usa - Volunteers are needed to help with the 19th annual Ironman Lake Placid triathlon, slated for July 23. The event attracts over 2,800 athletes and requires over 3,000 volunteers, two-thirds of which travel from outside the region to participate. Competitors will tackle steep climbs, battle challenging elevation swings, and race over rolling terrain for 140.6 grueling miles, as they vie for one of 50 spots to the 2017 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. ROOST’s Event Manager and Ironman Lake Placid Volunteer Director Sue Cameron says the event has been described by many volunteers as a life-changing. “Volunteering for as few as four hours can provide you a new perspective on life as you assist the athletes in realizing their dreams of becoming an Ironman,” she said. “There are so many different stories of a volunteer being the sole reason an athlete finished because that volunteer took the time to give the athlete a pep talk. It’s truly an amazing experience,” she added. The greatest need for manpower is during the evening at the aid stations when athletes will be finishing up the running portion of the triathlon. This is when the last finishing athletes need the most cheering and encouragement. A list of all volunteer positions can be found here: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/lake-placid/volunteer.aspx#axzz4dDRXl6ab

April 2017 - adirondacks, usa - Three of ROOST’s satellite offices are undergoing renovations. The upgrades at the 121 Park Street location in Tupper Lake are mostly finished, with the exception of minor touches. The office houses ROOST staff, the Tupper Lake Information Center, and the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce. The building’s facade was updated, improving the first impression of travelers entering the information center and continuing the add to the overall reinvigoration of the Tupper Lake Park Business District. Local artist Dan King handcrafted a light fixture with an impression of hemlock cone, Tupper Lake’s logo, that will adorn the entranceway. The renovation also includes energy saving measures. The project was completed thanks to a 2015 DEC Smart Growth Grant that was awarded to the Town of Tupper Lake. The grant application titled "Improving 21st Century Curb Appeal" focused on improving traveler's first impressions of Tupper Lake. At the ROOST office in Malone, renovations were recently completed including the repair and painting of the ceilings and walls and new light fixtures. New flooring is in the process of being installed in the days to come. The North Elba Town Hall, home of ROOST Saranac Lake staff, Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce, and visitor information center, is amidst a spring facelift. This historic 1927 building located at 193 River Street is one of the few structures in Greek Revival style architecture in all of the Adirondacks. Updates include new fixtures, flooring, plumbing and a coat of paint in the downstairs, as well as minor cosmetic repairs in the lobby that houses brochure racks, Winter Carnival memorabilia, and the work of local artists. All work will be done before summer. The Town of North Elba is funding the project.

April 2017 - ROOST's Crown Point office staff compiled a list of opening dates of attractions located in our Lake Champlain Region. Adirondack History Museum: May 27th Ausable Chasm: daily beginning April 1 Champlain Memorial Lighthouse: May 19 Crown Point State Historic Site museum: May 7th (grounds open year-round) Essex County Fish Hatchery: open daily, year-round Fort Ticonderoga: May 6th Iron Center Museum: June 17 North Star Underground Railroad Museum: May 27th Penfield Homestead Museum: June 10th Ticonderoga Heritage Museum: weekends beginning Memorial Day, daily beginning June 27th The next time you travel to the Adirondack Coast, stop by our staffed visitor center at the Crown Point Bridge.