9:00 - 11:45 - Pre-Conference Meetings:

11:45 AM- Opening Luncheon



Location: Grand Ballroom

Proud Partner of: I LOVE NY

12:20 PM - Housekeeping Announcements:

Bob Provost

President & CEO

New York State Tourism Industry Association

Cass Majestic (aka Cooperstown Cass)

Event Co-Chair

Chair of the Board, NYSTIA

President, Destination Marketing Corp

12:30 PM - Welcome Remarks

Ross Levi

Executive Director / Vice President of NYS Division of Tourism - I LOVE NY, Empire State Development

Sarah Foster Calero

President

Oneida County Tourism

Lee Arthur

General Manager

Delta by Marriott Utica

12:45 PM - Welcome to Oneida County

Anthony Picente, Jr.

Oneida County Executive

1:00 PM - Welcome Remarks

Ben Walsh

Director

New York State Canal Corporation

1:10 PM - Keynote Introduction

John Percy

President & CEO

Destination Niagara USA

1:15 PM - Keynote Presentation

Angie Briggs

Senior Vice President, Industry Partnerships and Engagement

& Chief Development Officer

Brand USA

1:40 PM - Panel: International Marketing & Partner Strategies

2:30 PM - I LOVE NY Update

Rich Gagliano

Senior Vice President, Marketing,

Empire State Development

Ross Levi

Executive Director / Vice President of NYS Division of Tourism - I LOVE NY Empire State Development

3:30 PM - A Future That's Bright: Turning Stone Updates

Sarah Just

Director of Sales & Conference Services

Turning Stone Enterprises

3:55 PM - Breakout Sessions

TPA Meeting

(TPAs ONLY)

Location: Junior Ballroom

Ross Levi

Executive Director / Vice President of NYS Division of Tourism - I LOVE NY Empire State Development

AI and How It's Reshaping the Tourism Industry

Location: Grande Ballroom

About This Session

James Sauter (moderator), rove

Susan Burke, Wheresight

Gavin Landry, New York University

Rudi Thun, Mindtrip

5:30 PM - Welcome Reception

Location: Junior Ballroom

Hosted by: NYSTIA

6:15 PM - NYSTIA Game Plan for the Future Banquet

Cass Majestic (aka Cooperstown Cass)

Event Co-Chair

Board Chair, NYSTIA

President, Destination Marketing Corp

with Special Guests & Acknowledgements

7:15 PM - 2026 Destinations of New York State Scholarship Auction

The Scholarship Auction Committee has been hard at work organizing the many generous donation items to be auctioned in support of the Destinations of New York State Scholarship Fund. This year, there are multiple ways to participate, including a 50/50 raffle, raffle items, a media silent auction, live auction, and cash donation! How to Participate

Location: Grande Ballroom

Hosted by: Rove

with our fabulous auction hosts:

Jennifer Ackerson

President & CEO

Alon Tourism Solutions

James Sauter

Co-Founder

Rove

Carrie Hessney-Doran

Auctioneer

Hessney Auction Company

5:30 PM - Nightcaps, Nibbles & Networking

Location: Shade Lounge

Hosted by: Skål Albany/Update New York

Agenda updates will be sent on Thursday morning.

7:30 AM- Breakfast

Location: Grand Ballroom

Hosted by: Advance Travel & Tourism

8:30 AM - Welcome & Greetings

Cass Majestic (aka Cooperstown Cass)

Event Co-Chair

Board Chair, NYSTIA

President, Destination Marketing Corp

8:35 AM - Welcome & Greetings

Sarah Foster Calero

President

Oneida County Tourism

Miachel Galime

Mayor of Utica

9:00 AM - Morning Programming

Hidden in Plain Sight: Turning Everyday Assets into Must-Do Experiences

with Brian Hayden, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, Visit Buffalo

About This Session

Workforce Developmet Updates

with Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County NY and Antwan Williams, RochesterWorks

About This Session

Industry Updates, Announcements, and Call to Actions

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

1:1 Networking Sessions

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Book Your Sessions | About the 1:1 Appointments

Canal NY Marketing & Business Alliance and Canal Society of NYS Joint Meeting

10:00 AM - 11:45 AM

This session is open to all new York State Tourism Conference attendees looking to learn more about what is going on within the Canal NY Marketing & Business Alliance and Canal Society of New York State.

11:45 AM- Lunch Buffet Opens

Location: Grand Ballroom

Hosted by: New York State Canal Corporation & New York Power Authority

12:20 PM - New York City Update

Kelly Curtin

Executive Vice President

New York City Tourism + Conventions

12:40 PM - Trails That Pay Off: How Greenways Drive Visitation, Spending, and Placemaking

Erica Schneider

Policy & Planning Manager

Parks & Trails New York

About This Session

12:55 PM - Immersion Tours for Professional Development

Busses DEPART at 1:30 - About the Immersion Tours

🟢 Bus #1 – Let’s Power Up: Sustainability, Ecotourism, and Responsible Travel

Visiting: Trenton Falls Hydro Facility, NY Energy Zone

🔴 Bus #2 – Sports Tourism: A Multifaceted, Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity

Visiting: Accelerate Sports Complex, Utica University Nexus Center, Adirondack Bank Center

🟠 Bus #3 – Heritage Tourism: How History Can Shape the Future For Your Destination

Visiting: Utica Harbor Point, Fort Stanwix National Monument, Oneida County History Center

🔵 Bus #4 – Inclusive Tourism: Providing Welcoming Experience for Diverse People

Visiting: The Root Farm, Munson

🟡 Bus #5 – Where M.I.C.E. Meets Economic Development

Visiting: Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort & Casino

5:00 - 6:30 PM - Return Reception

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Utica

hosted by Oneida County Tourism

Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and drinks at the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton as you connect with fellow attendees before heading out into Utica for a dine-around night.

6:30 - 8:30 PM - Freestyle Dining

Explore Oneida County!

8:30 - 10:30 PM - Bougie & Boozie Meet Up

with the New York Sherpa & Friends - About

Agenda updates will be sent on Friday morning.

7:30 AM- Breakfast

Location: Grand Ballroom

Hosted by: Miles Partnership

8:20 AM - Welcome & Greetings

Cass Majestic (aka Cooperstown Cass)

Event Co-Chair

Chair of the Board, NYSTIA

President, Destination Marketing Corp

8:30 AM - Welcome Remarks

Senator Joe Griffo

53rd Senate District

8:35 AM - What's Coming Up: Corning 2026

Kevin Peterson

President & CEO

Explore Steuben

8:45 AM - Immersion Tour Recaps

9:00 AM - Breakout Sessions

Advocacy in Action: Strengthening Tourism's Voice in Your Community

Location: Room TBA

About This Session

Josiah Brown, New York's Best Experiences

Berkeley Young, Young Strategies, Inc.

Who's Selling New York? Meet the Buyers Behind the Bookings

Location: Room TBA

About This Session

Isabelle Mary, CEO & Chief of Fun Operations, MAD Tours & Events

Lezlie Harper, Tour Operator, NIAGARA BOUND TOURS

Steve Adams, Owner, Knickerbocker Tours LLC

Esther Bruker-Roth, Senior Groups Manager, AlliedTPro

10:15 AM - Remarks

10:30 AM - Adjournment

WHAT WE DO TOGETHER:

Advancing responsible, sustainable economic growth, community revitalization, small business success, job creation, quality of life and pride of place by realizing the potential of New York State's tourism industry and facilitating the success of NYSTIA members.