October 14, 2025

Help Us Plan 2026 Tourism Industry Event Programming

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for the 2025 NYS Tourism Conference in April and the NYS Tourism Excellence Awards & Summit in September, and for your enthusiastic, positive feedback.

Now, we’re planning for 2026, and we need your input to ensure that we provide even more valuable experiences in 2026. Our quick, 5-minute survey below helps us understand what matters most to you.

What we're asking:

What topics/issues/perspectives would you like to see addressed at the 2026 NYS Tourism Conference?
Are there any individuals or organizations that you recommend that we should contact?
What is your preference on general session vs breakouts?

Your feedback helps shape our programming — so don’t miss the chance to have your say!

Take the survey now and help us create another unforgettable year for New York’s tourism industry.

Take the Survey

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In This Newsletter:

Issue Feature:

- Call for Input on NYSTIA Events

- Upcoming Wednesday Webinar & Last Week's Recap

- Travel Show Recap

Advocacy:

- Rural Tourism White Report Survey

- 2024 NYS Visitor Spending Update

Member News:

- New Member Introduction: Allyshia Hamilton

- Erie Canalway Photo Contest Winners

- Schenectady to Welcome Seneca Chief

- NYS Agritourism Conference

- NYS Canal Infrastructure and Event Grants

- Joint Ribbon Cutting for Sundance Ranch

Events:

- Wednesday Webinar

- Empire State Greenways Conference

Featured Co-Ops:

- Holiday/PTO Marketing Initiative

- AARP February 2026 NYS Travel Feature

Careers:

- Visitor Experience Manager, NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center

Sign Up! Using PTO to Power Tourism in Your Destination with Take Off New York Campaign

On Friday, October 3rd, tourism professionals across NYS got together virtually for the official 'Take Off New York campaign briefing. In case you missed it, you can watch the video recording here.

We need your help in spreading the word! Sign up to receive your free assets, developed by the team at FOURTHIDEA to encourage New Yorkers to use their remaining 2025 PTO to explore your destination. Sign Up Now

Pro-bono campaign developed by FOURTHIDEA for NYSTIA members

Travel Show Recap: Meeting with Canadian Travel Agents & Advisors in Montreal

Your New York State Tourism Champions booth was at the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors' (ACTA) 2025 Quebec Travel Industry Summit, on Wednesday, October 1, at the Montreal Airport Marriott...

Tomorrow:

October 15 | 9:15-9:45 AM | Free | Register Now

Keeping Human Imagination at the Heart of AI-Driven Campaigns

Strike the Balance Between Automation and Authenticity in Travel Marketing

As AI continues to reshape the marketing landscape, it’s more important than ever to lead with imagination and intention. In tomorrow's Wednesday Webinar, Kayla Lloyd from BBG&G Integrated Marketing will share how you can embrace emerging tools without losing the human touch that makes travel storytelling unforgettable. Register Now for Free

Oct. 8 Webinar Recap: For those of you who miss last week's Wednesday Webinar Attracting and Hosting Sustainability-Minded Organization & Events with Brendan Roodruff at DEC, you can access the full recording and slide deck here.

⚖️ Advocacy Matters to You

All Advocacy

Make Rural & Small Town Tourism Heard!

2025 State of Rural Tourism White Report Survey

The Rural Tourism Network needs your help ensuring that rural and small-town tourism is included in national conversations. Please share 5-7 minutes of your time to take their first 2025 State of Rural Tourism White Report, designed to strengthen the case for funding, provide benchmarks, increase rural destinations' visibility, and highlight opportunities. Take the Survey

What Does Tourism Mean To Your County?

2024 NYS Visitor Spending Update

The county-level advocacy handouts accessible on the NYSTIA website have been updated with data from the 2024 Tourism Economics report commissioned by ESD / I LOVE NEW YORK. Access the handouts here.

Industry News:

All News

New Member Introduction: Allyshia Hamilton from Travel Show "Get Away for a Day with Allyshia Renay!"

Please welcome Allyshia Hamilton, award-winning journalist and television host with a passion for all things adventurous and whimsical, to the NYSTIA Community! Allyshia is also the host/producer of the critically acclaimed New York based travel and lifestyle show...

Meet Allyshia

20th Annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest Winners Announced

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced this year's winners of the 20th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Congratulations to all of the winners!

View All Photos

Schenectady County to Welcome Erie Canal "Seneca Chief" to Mohawk Harbor

Discover Schenectady has announced that Schenectady County will continue its celebration of the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal with a stopover on Tuesday, October 14 from the Seneca Chief—a full-scale replica of the very first canal boat to travel...

New York State Agritourism Conference

Nov. 10-11, 2025

You're invited to the first-ever New York State Agritourism Conference! Located in Saratoga Springs and hosted by the CCE Agritourism Program Work Team, this 2-day event is designed to support farms in growing successful visitor experiences. This statewide gathering will feature expert-led sessions, peer networking...

Learn More & Register

Apply Now! 2026 NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Event Grants

The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are offering competitive grant funding to support tourism, recreation, and events along the New York State Canal System including canal waterways and Canalway Trail...

Learn More & Apply - Apply through November 21, 2025

Joint Ribbon Cutting for Sundance Ranch

The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB (LGRCC&CVB) and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) are proud to announce a joint ribbon cutting celebration for Sundance Ranch Lake Luzerne, the region’s newest event venue located at 465 Lake Avenue in Lake Luzerne...

Events & Webinars:

All Events

Keeping Human Imagination at the Heart of AI-Driven Campaigns

Wednesday Webinar | BBG&G Integrated Marketing | October 15

The 2025 Empire State Greenways Conference

Webinar | Parks & Trails New York | October 15

Featured Co-Ops:

All Co-Ops

NEW: 2025 Holiday/PTO Multimedia Marketing Initiative

Invite New Yorkers to use their PTO exploring your destination this holiday season! Whether it’s shopping weekends, family visits, or snowy getaways, Advance Travel & Tourism and NYSTIA will help you reach travel-ready audiences across the state.

With data-driven targeting, digital display, video, and social campaigns, we’ll get your message in front of the right people. Campaigns run up to 60 days and must wrap by December 31, 2025—don’t miss this chance to boost winter visitation!

Learn More & Sign Up - Reserve by October 31, 2025

AARP February 2026 NYS Travel Feature

The NYSTIA February 2026 AARP Co-Op feature will appear in the AARP Mid-Atlantic Region (NY, PA, NJ) to target 2026 Spring and Summer travel intenders. The 2025 feature generated over 2,500 leads/requests for literature.

The issue will offer some compelling benefits targeting age 50-59 'active & adventurous' audience, advertisers will receive matching space for advertorial content, and the issue will offer reader service lead generation, delivering thousands of contacts!

Learn More & Sign Up - Reserve by October 29, 2025

Job Postings

All Jobs

Visitor Experience Manager, NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center

The Visitor Experience Manager (VEM) is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the visitor experience and operations of the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center (Heritage Center) and providing administrative leadership for the City of Auburn Historic and Cultural Sites Commission (Commission). The VEM plays an integral role in the visitor...

Learn More & Apply - Deadline to Apply is October 14th.

Become a Member | Join the Partnership Community

Volunteer at a 2025 Travel Show | Submit a Workshop Proposal

Be a 2025 Tourism Champion | New Yorkers: Take Your Vacation Toolkit

Thank you to our 2025 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.