June 17, 2026

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Geoff Freeman to Provide Keynote Remarks at the 2026 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards & Summit

President & CEO of U.S. Travel

We are excited to announce that Geoff Freeman, President & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, will provide keynote remarks the morning of Thursday, September 17 at the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Summit in Corning, New York.


His remarks will be followed by a roundtable discussion of advocacy at the local, state and national level. Please join us in welcoming Geoff back to New York - he previously joined us at the 2024 New York State Tourism Conference in Niagara Falls.

🚨 Register now and book your room at the Radisson Hotel Corning and to join us at the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Summit! Gain insights on best practices from award winning tourism campaigns, explore strategies for 2027, and more. 

In This Newsletter:

NYSTIA News:

- Keynote: Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel

- Canal NY MBA Event

- Data Insights: Trust in the Age of AI

- DONYS Golf Tournament


Advocacy:

- Community Conversation

- Advocacy Masterclass


Industry News:

- Emma Huhtala Named Canal NY Intern

- DEC Know Before You Go Video Series

- Start a 2026 Canalway Challenge

- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Now in Scenic Byways System

- Celebrate 40 Years with Skål


Events:

- Canal NY MBA Seneca Falls Event

- Skål Albany/Upstate NY 40th Anniv. Event


Marketing Initiatives:

- Wheresight's Activate5

- Lead Generation Program on TravelGuidesFree.com

You're Invited! Canal NY Marketing & Business Alliance Event - This Friday, June 19 in Seneca Falls

In collaboration with the New York State Tourism Industry Association

The Canal New York Marketing & Business Alliance invites members, friends, and colleagues to the Seneca Falls Museum and Tourism Center for an engaging program of reflections, presentations and professional development focused on heritage tourism, community revitalization, and strategic marketing. Register Now

Insights Driven By Data: Connecting With Consumers in the Sea of AI

We live in a rapidly evolving attention economy in which AI is flooding the internet. From written articles to YouTube videos to short-form content, AI-produced media is growing increasingly realistic yet emotionally empty. But how do we cultivate trust in the age of AI?


Continue Reading

Go Golfing for Tourism! Register for the Charlie Daley and Dave Thornton Golf Tournament

Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 10 AM – 4:30 PM | Indian Hills Golf Club


Join your tourism colleagues in supporting the DONYS Hospitality, Culinary and Tourism Scholarship Fund with a day of camaraderie, and golf! Enjoy an array of refreshments, food, and activities like hole-in-one, raffle, and more. Learn More & Register

⚖️ Advocacy Matters to You

Community Conversation: Strengthening Tourism Through Advocacy

Join TAP’s Virtual Community Conversation series on Tuesday, June 23 at 2:00 PM and hear from panelists from diverse segments of the tourism industry as they share best practices, discuss the work they're doing within their communities, and explore opportunities to strengthen advocacy efforts. Learn More & Register

Advocacy Masterclass: Become an Effective Advocate for Your Organization, Destination and Industry

Join Josiah Brown, the New York Sherpa and President of Famous Destination Marketing on Wednesday, September 16th at the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Summit for an immersive professional development program designed to help you become a more effective advocate for your organization. Learn More & Register

📣 Be a Tourism Advocate! Sign up to the NYSTIA Advocacy Action Center to receive alerts in our future advocacy efforts.

Industry News:

Emma Huhtala Named Inaugural Canal NY Marketing & Business Alliance Intern

Syracuse area native Emma Huhtala's search for a summer 2026 experiential learning opportunity began with an application and interview with Travel Alliance Partnership (TAP), a member of NYSTIA...


Continue Reading

Alon Tourism Solutions Celebrates 25 Years in the Tourism Industry

Alon Tourism Solutions continues its role as a dominant force in the global hospitality industry offering education, training programs, B2B sales events, and strategies to destinations and destination products... 


Continue Reading

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Know Before You Go Video Series

When visiting state lands, it’s important to do your research beforehand, so you know what to expect during your stay. Watch DEC's 'Know Before You Go' video series to learn more about the diversity of New...


Watch the Series

Start a 2026 Canalway Challenge

The 2026 Canalway Challenge is off to an amazing start! Cyclists, paddlers, walkers, runners, and rollers are back out in the corridor, while festivals, concerts, races, and tours are enlivening the waterway..


Start a Challenge

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Adding the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Into the State Scenic Byways System

Over the weekend, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation officially adding the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway into the state scenic byway system. The first phase of the Harriet Tubman Underground...


Continue Reading

You're Invited: Celebrate 40 Years with Skål International Albany/Upstate New York

Friday, June 19, 2026 | Hilton Garden Inn, Troy NY

Join Skål International Albany/Upstate New York for a special evening celebrating their 40th Anniversary! The program will include the history of the club and guest speakers. Come and enjoy the camaraderie!


RSVP by June 12: Register Now

Events & Webinars:

Canal NY Marketing & Business Alliance 2026 Seneca Falls Event

Event | Canal NY | June 19

Learn More

Skål Albany/Upstate New York 40th Anniversary Event

Event | Skål Albany/Upstate New York | June 19

Learn More

Strengthening Tourism Through Advocacy

Webinar | Travel Alliance Partnership | June 23

Learn More

Marketing Opportunities:

NYSTIA Members Exclusive - Save $900 on Wheresight Activate5

Improve the digital capabilities of 5 tourism businesses with Activate5!


This auditing program provides you with benchmarking, tailored roadmaps, expert support, progress tracking and 12 months to the Wheresight platform. As a NYSTIA member, the standard $900 setup fee has been waived, reducing the total investment from $4,995 to $4,095 for 12 months.


Learn More & Sign Up

Lead Generation Program - the 'NYS 24/7/365 Virtual Consumer Travel Show' on TravelGuidesFree.com

Sign up and join 25+ NYSTIA-member destinations to to increase visitors, revenue and economic impact via traveler engagement and lead generation on TravelGudiesFree.com. Reach verified active travelers interested in visiting your destination, and pay only for the leads you receive!


Choose your budget level and sign up now to be included. The program starts at $960 or $320 per month.


Learn More or contact Madelyn Roberts at MAR Media: 516-662-9555. 

Job Postings

No new jobs have been posted this week, but you can view the open listing anytime on our website. Open Job Listings

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Volunteer at a Travel Show | Be a Tourism Champion | Take Off, New York!

Donate to the Scholarship Auction

Thank you to our Partnership Community!

WHAT WE DO:

We assist our members in advancing responsible, sustainable economic growth, local job creation, small business success and increased vitality in our destination communities by realizing the potential of New York State's tourism industry.

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