December 30, 2025

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Get Ready for 2026! Ring in the New Year:

Celebrate the New Year with a new tradition enjoying New York's great outdoors with a First Day Hike. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2026 by participating in one of the many hikes being held across the Empire State. The NYSTIA team will be out there - will you?

The Office of Cultural Education is excited to invite you to the 2nd Annual Winter New York State 250 Commemoration Summit! Join us for updates and presentations from a wide variety of state officials, cultural, history and tourism entities and executives. Propose a presentation from your organization! This will be the first 250 Commemoration Summit streamed live for those who cannot attend in person. Register FREE for live or remote attendance

2026 New York State Tourism Conference

April 22-24, 2026 | Utica, N.Y. | Register & Book Your Room

2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Summit & Awards

September 16-18, 2026 | Corning, N.Y. | Mark Your Calendars

Last year's Destinations of New York State Scholarship Auction raised approximately $26,000 and an additional $3,000 in cash donations at the event, and we are hoping for another fantastic year supporting New York State's tourism and hospitality students! From distinctive memorabilia and gift baskets to exclusive experiences and entry tickets, every donation brings us closer to our goal.

Start the year by protecting New York’s lands and waters from invasive species! Everyday activities like boating, hiking, or gardening can spread non-native plants and animals that harm ecosystems. Take simple steps: clean gear, plant native species, use local firewood, and become a Protector! Join the Pledge to Protect, created by the St. Lawrence–Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM), for tips, tools, and rewards.

Take Off, New York is a new statewide marketing initiative developed as a pro bono contribution by FOURTHIDEA for members of the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA). Its central theme is to encourage New Yorkers to use the time they’ve earned to explore and experience our incredible state. When New Yorkers take time off, everyone benefits. By joining the Take Off New York program, your DMO becomes part of a unified effort that:

Access the free Take Off, New York media kit

Advocacy: NYSTIA is committed to bolstering your advocacy efforts in 2026, but in the meantime you can familiarize yourself with various resources already available on the NYSTIA website. This includes Tourism Advocacy Talking Points, tourism's Economic Impact by County, and our Advocacy Action Center.

Explore (or Join!) a Committee: NYSTIA's Committees are open to all members of NYSTIA. Joining a committee is a great way to connect with fellow tourism professionals, share insights, and collaborate on key initiatives that support and grow New York’s tourism industry. No matter where your interests lie, there’s a committee for you! All Committees.

Co-Ops: NYSTIA offers various member-to-member co-opportunities including programs and initiatives that address digital infrastructure, market intelligence, destination management, professional development, consumer outreach and group travel to name a few. All Co-Ops

Job Postings: Looking to begin a career in tourism? Or maybe you're looking for a new opportunity within the field. NYSTIA member organizations regularly promote their open positions through our website. You can also submit a job posting anytime and we will promote it for you through our network.

Events: Keep tabs on upcoming 2026 events or submit an event for us to share.



Become a Member | Join the Partnership Community

Volunteer at a 2025 Travel Show | Submit a Workshop Proposal

Be a 2026 Tourism Champion | Take Off, New York!