August 18, 2026

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Plan to Arrive on Wednesday, September 16

to Join Us at These Pre-Summit Events:

🏌 Charlie Daley & Dave Thornton Scholarship Golf Tournament

Time: 10 AM – 4:30 PM | Location: Indian Hills Golf Club


Share with your friends, family & network! Spend a day on the course for at the annual DONYS Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament. Details/Register Now

🙋 Advocacy Masterclass with the New York Sherpa

Time: 10 AM – 4:00 PM | Location: Radisson Hotel Corning


Join Josiah Brown, The New York Sherpa and President of Famous Destination Marketing, for an immersive professional development program designed to help you become more effective advocates for your organization, destination, and the industry as a whole. Details/Register Now

🍍 Welcome Reception & Mini Golf Tournament

Time: 4:30 - 6:30 PM | Location: Park Avenue Sports Center


Enjoy a complimentary drink ticket and light fare provided by our host DMO, Explore Steuben! Please register here (free) so that we can provide a head count to our hosts. Optional: For $25, sign-up for a fun round of mini-golf and support NYSTIA's tuition and internship scholarships!

In This Newsletter:

Issue Feature:

- Pre-Summit Events: Plan to Arrive on Wednesday, 9/16

- Make Your Own Glass at the CMoG

- 1:1 Networking Sessions

- RFP: Host a NYSTIA Event in 27', 28', or 29

- Take the AI Adoption Maturity Assessment

- Last Call for Nominations! NYSTIA Board of Directors


Advocacy:

- Advocacy Masterclass with Josiah Brown

- Visa Bond Program Updates


Industry News:

- New Member Introduction

- Take the 2026 Rural Tourism Survey

- NYS Parks Connect Parks Along Genesee Valley Greenway


Events:

- Ask Maps, AI Search, & What's Next for SEO


Marketing Initiatives:

- AMERICA Journal Travel Planner

- Times Union Media Group Magazine

Get Ready for Your Time in Corning:

Spend Time at the Corning Museum of Glass:

Create Your Own Glass Masterpiece & Enjoy Free Admission

Make your own glass with the help of the Corning Museum of Glass' experienced glassworkers on Tuesday or Wednesday, September 15 or 16 and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir from your time in Corning. Spots are limited, so don’t wait! Reserve Now


Free Admission: Summit attendees receive free admission September 15-18, and museum shops are providing a discount during the event.

Book Your Free 1:1 Networking Sessions!

Whether you're exploring branding, international marketing, artificial intelligence (AI), travel trade, or simply want to discover what or who's new in the industry, the 1:1 Networking Sessions are designed for you.


BONUS: Book two or more appointments to qualify for prize drawings! Slots are limited, so book now before they fill up!

Have you registered yet?

Our early bird discount on registration for the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Summit expires soon, so take advantage of our reduced rate and register now!

🗞️ NYSTIA News

RFP Available: Host a NYSTIA Event in 2027, 2028 or 2029!

You're invited to submit proposals to host the New York State Tourism Conference and/or the New York State Tourism Excellence Summit! Hosting brings valuable attention from the state and country to your community, and also highlights visitor economy benefits to your local elected officials. Read the RFP and submit your proposal to bob@nystia.org by Friday, August 28

NYSTIA AI Initiative: Take the DMO/TPA/Tourism Business AI Adoption Maturity Assessment

The team at Rove have designed a survey to gain a better understanding of your destination's current level of AI maturity across key areas. This assessment takes just a few minutes to complete, and all responses will be kept strictly confidential. Take the Assessment

LAST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: NYSTIA Board of Directors

The Nominating Committee is seeking individuals ready to put their enthusiasm, expertise and experience to work for the advancement New York's tourism industry! Continue Reading / Self-Nominate

⚖️ Advocacy Matters to You

Advocacy Masterclass with the New York Sherpa

Special Program at the NYS Tourism Excellence Summit

Join Josiah Brown, the New York Sherpa and President of Famous Destination Marketing on Wednesday, September 16th at the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Summit for an immersive professional development program designed to help you become a more effective advocate for your organization. Learn More & Register

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In the news:


  • State Department finalizes a rule making the Visa Bond Program permanent. (TravelWeekly)
  • Head of US travel association sounds alarm on potential expansion of visa bond program. (Reuters)

Industry News:

New Member Introduction: Elissa Fornasiero from Discover Schenectady

Please welcome Elissa Fornasiero, President of Discover Schenectady, Schenectady County’s designated Tourism Promotion Agency. Elissa spent 15 years in hotels, starting as a sales coordinator and gradually... Meet Elissa

Take the 2026 State of Rural Tourism 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 2026 State of Rural Tourism Survey (answers confidential). Take the Survey | View 2025 Findings

New York State Parks Breaks Ground on New Bridges to Connect Communities Along Genesee Valley Greenway

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks), in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Ralph...Continue Reading

Events & Webinars:

The New Front Door: Ask Maps, AI Search & What's Actually Next for SEO

Online/Virtual | Karsh Hagan Madden Agency | August 20

Learn More

Marketing Opportunities:

AMERICA JOURNAL: New York State Heritage Travel Feature for German Speakers 

Promote your destination, attractions and special heritage in the October 2026 AMERICA Journal feature section! NYSTIA members have the opportunity to feature their destination in the October 2026 New York State section for a discounted rate. Content will be created by America Journal's professional travel writers with your input/requests.


Learn More & Sign Up - deadline to participate 8/21

Times Union Media Group Travel Newsletter: Targeted Marketing That Drives New Customers

NYSTIA members are offered the opportunity to promote their unique destinations in the Travel Newsletter to an audience of over 200,000 subscribers! Showcase your attractions and events to a highly engaged and targeted audience.


The implemented double opt-in feature ensures the Travel Newsletter will be sent only to those most interested in regional travel and engaged with the Times Union brand. Learn More & Sign Up

Job Postings

No new job postings have been listed this week, but you can always check the careers board on our website here.

Become a Member | Join the Partnership Community

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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