March 24, 2026

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1:1 Networking Sessions:

New Tools, New Opportunities

Book Before They're Gone!

As the industry convener, NYSTIA is committed to bringing together all sectors of New York’s tourism community to foster meaningful connections and collaboration. Whether you are exploring branding, international marketing, travel trade, data insights, strategies to stay competitive in an evolving digital landscape, or just want to see what is out there, the 1:1 Networking Sessions are designed for you.


And based on your feedback, we are excited to introduce an updated booking system designed to give you more flexibility and control in scheduling time with solution providers. The new platform makes it easier than ever to find and connect with the right resources for your needs:


  • Booking and browsing on mobile streamlined for ease and efficiency
  • Is the solution provider you'd like to talk to fully booked? Join a waitlist and receive notifications when spots open
  • Add 1:1 appointments directly to your personal calendar


We encourage you to sign up for at least two meetings, because you never know what you'll learn! Bring your questions, challenges, and goals for 2026 and beyond. Our solution providers are ready to help you move forward.


💭 Know what topic(s) you want to explore but need help identifying which solution providers best fit your needs? Contact us—we'd be happy to help!

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In This Newsletter:

Issue Feature:

- Book Your 1:1 Networking Sessions

- Tourism Advocacy Award

- Donate to the Scholarship Auction

- Supporting Agritourism in NYS

- Next Wednesday Webinar & Recap


Advocacy:

- Contact Your Congressperson to Pay TSA

- Two Minutes for Tourism Advocacy

- Be A Tourism Advocate


Industry News:

- New Member Introduction

- New York Accessibel Travel Conference Recap

- SLELO PRISM March Blog

- Share an Untold Story


Events:

- Why Food Donation Works

- Destination Decisions

- Wednesday Webinar


Featured Co-Ops:

- ROVA: The Magazine for Epic Road Trips

- DiscoverUpstateNY

.com

Register, Book Your Room and Save! Do not miss your chance to stay close to the conference at a preferred rate. Book your room today and register now (early bird registration discount expires March 31) to ensure you are part of this year’s event!

New Tourism Excellence Awards Category:

Tourism Advocacy

Nominees for the new Tourism Advocacy Award demonstrate exceptional leadership advocating for the tourism industry at the local, regional, or state level. Nominees exemplify a commitment to elevating tourism’s economic, social, and cultural value through policy engagement, funding advocacy, stakeholder education, or legislative initiatives that strengthen New York’s tourism ecosystem.


All Award Categories | Nominate Now

Donate to the Scholarship Auction!

The Destinations of New York State Scholarship Auction (held 4/22 at the Conference) is an annual event dedicated to raising funds for the Destinations of New York State Scholarship Fund, supporting the next generation of tourism professionals. There is still time to donate individual items and/or combine items to create special packages! There is no limit to what and how many items you can contribute.


Donate Now | About the Auction

Supporting Agritourism Throughout New York State

Pre-Conference Session

Hear from Cornell Cooperative Extension educators Lindsey Pashow and Laura Biasillo about how TPA’s and agritourism operators are working together to support agritourism. These agritourism stakeholders will share information about educational resources that have been developed for agritourism operations, and how to create stronger partnerships with agritourism operations.  


About this Session

Tomorrow:

March 25| 9:15-9:45 AM | Free | Register Now

Beyond the Pour: How DMOs Can Turn Wineries, Breweries & Culture

Into Destination Drivers

Featuring panelists from Visit Buffalo, Tour Cayuga, and Visit Ithaca

This webinar, led by Kelly Fitzpatrick from Zartico and featuring panelists from visit Buffalo, Tour Cayuga, and Visit Ithaca, will showcase real success stories while helping you better understand who your food and beverage visitors are, what motivates them, and how to turn those insights into measurable marketing success. You’ll leave with actionable insights and a deeper understanding of how to continuously learn from your data to refine strategies and drive long-term growth. Register Now

March 18 Webinar Recap: For those of you who miss last week's Wednesday Webinar Cross-Border Impacts in New York State: 2025 Wrap-Up with Sally Donovan and Jamie Mageau from Roveyou can access the recap and full recording here.

⚖️ Advocacy Matters to You

  • Contact Your Members of Congress: Week six of an unfunded Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now in front of us and the strain is showing. Take a moment to contact your members of Congress—particularly in the Senate—and urge them to immediately fund TSA.
  • Two Minutes for Tourism Advocacy: The NYSTIA Advocacy Committee is gathering input on ways we can improve the Tourism It's Everybody's Business (TIEB) printable documents on our website. Share Your Thoughts.

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

Industry News:

New Member Introduction: Mindy Yoder from Rest by the Willow

Please welcome Mindy Yoder, founder of Rest By The Willow and Wellness Dietitian and Certified Travel Coach, to the NYSTIA Community! With roots in hospitality, she began her career as a Restaurant Guest Service Manager at the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World, followed by a role as Sales Manager at Hyatt...


Meet Mindy

Recap: New York Accessible Travel Conference

The New York Accessible Travel Conference marked a historic moment for the tourism and meetings industry, placing accessibility and disability inclusion at the center of the conversation from the start. Designed to be intentionally accessible, the conference convened leaders from tourism, arts and culture, transportation, government, and destination organizations to share knowledge...

 

Continue Reading

Multiple people at a conference with 'New York Accessible Travel' presentation in the background

Click the thumbnail above to watch the full video recap!

SLELO PRISM March Blog: A Sweet Tradition Worth Protecting

Invasive pests like the spotted lanternfly, spongy moth, and longhorned beetle can have negative impacts on our natural ecosystems such as reducing the health of the very trees that produce maple syrup. Protecting sugar maples means protecting the future of this sweet, golden delight. You can help by learning to identify... 


Continue Reading

NYS 250th Initiative: Share Untold Stories from Your Destination!

The DEAI Committee has launched a special America 250 initiative, NY250: Untold Stories, dedicated to uncovering, preserving, and uplifting the diverse, often overlooked, and historically marginalized stories. The goal is to collect 250 untold stories, and we...


Contribute an untold story

Events & Webinars:

Submit an Event

Why Food Donation Works

Webinar | CET | March 24

Learn More

Destination Decisions

Webinar | Future Partners | March 24

Learn More

Turn Wineries, Breweries & Culture Into Destination Drivers

Webinar | Zartico | March 25

Learn More

Featured Co-Ops:

ROVA: The Magazine for Epic Road Trips

June/July Theme: Road Trip Adventure Destinations and Follow the Wine Trail

ROVA Magazine is a travel lifestyle magazine focused on road trips and outdoor adventure. Sign up for the upcoming June/July issue special NYSTIA section, with ROVA content featuring:


  • The Road Trippers Adventure Guide: Bike, Paddle, Hike
  • Vines & Vintners: Winery Road Trip
  • The Produce Trail: Farm Visit


Learn More & Sign Up! - Sign Up by April 7

DiscoverUpstateNY.com - The Premier Travel Website for Upstate NY

DiscoverUpstateNY.com (DUNY) is the award-winning premier travel website exclusively promoting tourism across all nine regions of Upstate New York. Inspiring travelers to Find Your Adventure, DUNY provides content and intuitive tools to curate unforgettable trips.


Ask about programs promoting: America 250, 4 Season Destinations, Wineries, Breweries, Parks and more in your region.


Reach out to Madelyn Roberts/MAR Media 516-662-9555 / madelyn.roberts1@gmail.com / Learn More

Job Postings

No new job postings have been shared this week, however you can check our Careers Page anytime for open positions or post a career opportunity at your organization.

Become a Member | Join the Partnership Community

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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