Happy new year! I hope you enjoyed the holiday season to the fullest and 2019 is off to a good start for you!

In this new year we are continuing the focus on our three main goals that collectively boost the economic vitality and sustainability of the region: enhance member and partner participation and engagement, increase Lake George area year-round visitation, and expand the CVB. Throughout 2018 we were focused on these areas and accomplished quite a bit toward our goals. To name a few, the Chamber took on the Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail and has re-energized the initiative that began several years ago with the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. This program now has 25 producers on the trail and a robust marketing campaign in and out of the market to drive visitors and overnight guests. We are grateful to serve all involved for this year-round effort that is not “lake centric” and is a truly regional program, that involves producers from northern Saratoga to Lake Placid. For more information, visit www.adkcraftbev.com .

As many have visited the new Adirondacks Welcome Center that opened September 20, not many know the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce operates the Taste NY Market which is a NYS Agriculture & Markets vending program focused on hyper-local products with the intention of growing small businesses. A range of products from Brooklyn to the northern Adirondacks and west to Ithaca feature local, New York made products that one can buy in the vending machines including: Martha’s Dandee Crème Cremewiches, Lake George Baking Company cookies, Coopers Cave sodas, Just Water and Caffe Vero coffee. Dairy products are offered from Argyle Cheese Farmer, Nettle Meadow, Battenkill Creamery and King Dairy and prepared foods from Samantha’s Café and J. Gallup Farm. Gift items are also available in the vending machines from “Love is on Lake George” key chains and Lavenlair Farm Tea to Goats Galore soaps. It’s been a real honor and privilege to work with local entrepreneurs and farmers to help grow their business in this new model. From the visitor perspective, our team are the feet on the street talking with visitors to understand their travel plans and help them want to explore the region. Visitors are wowed upon entering the facility, taking selfies in and outside the building, enjoying the zipline in the playground and letting their dogs roam the dog park. While locals have discovered the free car charge station, we are excited to spread the word about the boat wash station that will open this spring. 

In addition to the Adirondacks Welcome Center, the Chamber also operates the Lake George Village Information Center seasonally as well as the Chamber office year-round with visitor information. Throughout 2018, the Chamber team personally connected with more than 65,700 visitors at all three centers. We believe 2019 will be another strong year to connect with visitors and tell of the experience guests will enjoy in and around the region. 

Please tell us about your upcoming specials for Presidents Day, Winter Break, Valentine's Day and anything else coming up! We want to help promote your business. Please click here to submit your special!

If you're interested in advertising in our monthly consumer e-blast, the cost is only $50 per email. Please email Amanda Metzger at [email protected] for more details. This is sent to approximately 25,000 emails. The average Open Rate is 14% and the average Click Through Rate is 22 percent. If you're interested in promoting specials in February, the deadline for materials is January 18. That consumer email is scheduled to go out the week of January 21.

We had a wonderful time celebrating the new location of Adonis Hair Salon & Boutique, now in the Mount Royal Plaza in Queensbury. Thank you to Supervisor John Strough for joining us and saying a few words. Congratulations to the owner Lisa DePalma and her talented team! Adonis offers haircuts for women, men and children as well as color, highlights and lowlights, balayage, perms, keratin straightening, blowouts, hair extensions, waxing, and salon-named products at discounted prices. The boutique includes jewelry, clothing, apparel, and bath and spa items. There are also home items and an array of products for children and men.

The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Adirondack Folk School would like to thank the incredible volunteers on the committee and the business community for their generous support of the inaugural Adirondack Christkindlmarkt. 

Special thanks to:

Lake George Outlets, CVB, Glens Falls National Bank & Trust/Upstate Insurance, Courtyard Marriott, CDPHP, SUNY ADK Community College, Inn At Erlowest, Fort William Henry, Price Chopper/Market 32, Dunhams Bay Resort, AWS, Lake George Mirror, Town of Lake Luzerne (printing), Surfside Hotel & Conference Center, 42 Degrees, Pioneer Bank, and Hampton Inn!

The event was a great success, with attendance close to 5,000, fantastic weather and more than 34 vendors. This year, the event will take place December 6-8, 2019, at Festival Commons in the Charles R. Wood Park again.

If you are interested in being a vendor at the 2019 Adirondack Christkindlmarkt — or helping on the planning committee — please email [email protected] for more information. 

Lake George RV Park was recently named the best place to stay with your RV in NY State on  MSN.com.  

We congratulate them on this great news!

Read the post here.

Our St. Patrick's Day Weekend Vendor Fair returns this year on Saturday, March 16, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Resort in Lake George.

Stay tuned for a vendor application.

Save the date to attend! You're sure to find great deals just as good as a pot of gold at this 2nd annual vendor fair.

SUNY Adirondack Continuing Education is offering the following Business & Career Training: (Pre-registration is required. Call 518.743.2238 or email [email protected]  to register today.)

SERVSAFE FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP

Local hospitality and food service businesses seeking certification for employees are invited to register for a workshop.

January 26

Saturday | 8am to 6pm | Queensbury Campus

Course #20086

Registration closes on  Monday, January 14

or

April 29

Monday | 8am to 6pm | Wilton Center

Course #20087

Registration closes on  Monday, April 15

LEADING IN HOSPITALITY

Learn about or advance your skills with customer satisfaction-focused leadership through this two-session course focused on current and future leaders in the hospitality field. 

April 25 and May 2

Thursdays | 6:30pm to 8pm | Wilton Center

Course #20085

Learn more under  Professional Development  at  www.sunyacc.edu/continuing-education-catalog