Agenda Outline
Outline below only for planning purposes. Subject to change.
A more detailed agenda will be available on April 21. We thank you for your patience.
Tuesday, April 21:
For those arriving on Tuesday, the team at Oneida County Tourism have put together a few suggestions to help you explore some of the great local things Oneida County has to offer! Tuesday Arrivals Suggestions
Wednesday, April 22:
|
Program |
Time | Location |
|
(NYSTBA Members Only) |
New York State Tour Boat Association |
8:30 - 11:30 AM |
Room name TBA |
|
Pre-Conference Session |
Facetime with rove James Sauter & Sally Donovan, rove |
9:00 - 11:30 AM |
Lobby High Top |
|
Pre-Conference Session |
Supporting Agritourism Through New York State Lindsey Pashow & Laura Biasillo, Cornell Cooperative Extensions About this Session |
9:00 - 10:50 AM |
Room name TBA |
|
Pre-Conference Session |
Advocacy Masterclass Josiah Brown, Advocacy Sherpa About This Session
|
10:00 - 11:30 AM |
Room name TBA |
|
Welcome to the 2026 New York State Tourism Conference! Luncheon Program Opening Remarks Welcome to Oneida County Sarah Foster Calero, Oneida County Tourism |
11:45 - 1:30 PM |
Grande Ballroom |
|
Keynote Session: Angie Briggs, Senior Vice President, Industry Partnerships and Engagement & Chief Development Officer at Brand USA About Angie |
1:15 - 1:40 PM | Grande Ballroom |
|
International Marketing & Partner Strategies Chelsea Sullivan Kaiser, Brand USA Diana Keating, Visit Rochester Patrick Keyes, Rainbow Air |
1:40 - 2:00 PM | Grande Ballroom |
|
I LOVE NY Update Richard Gagliano, Senior Vice President, Marketing Empire State Development |
2:30 - 3:30 PM | Grande Ballroom |
|
Turning Stone Developments Sarah Just, Director of Sales & Conference Services, Turning Stone Enterprises |
3:30 - 3:45 PM | Grande Ballroom |
|
Breakout Session |
TPA Convening TPAs ONLY |
3:55 - 4:50 PM | Jr Ballroom |
|
Breakout Session |
How AI is Reshaping the Tourism Industry James Sauter, rove |
3:55 - 4:50 PM | Grande Ballroom |
|
Welcome Reception hosted by NYSTIA |
5:30 - 6:15 PM | Jr Ballroom |
|
NYSTIA 'Game Plan for the Future' Banquet Dinner hosted by rove If you are not registered for the conference and wish to join us for the banquet dinner, you may purchase tickets here. A ticket includes entry to the Welcome Reception, Banquet, and Scholarship Auction. |
6:15 - 7:15 PM | Grande Ballroom |
|
Destinations of New York State Scholarship Auction hosted by rove |
7:15 - 8:30 PM | Grande Ballroom |
|
Nightcaps, Nibbles & Networking hosted by Skål Albany Upstate
|
Post-Auction - 9:30 PM | Lobby Area / Shade Bar & Grill |
Thursday, April 23:
|
Program |
Time | Location |
|
Breakfast: hosted by Advance Travel & Tourism Welcome and Greeting from our Oneida County Destination Hosts Sarah Foster Calero, Oneida County Tourism |
7:30 - 8:45 AM |
Grande Ballroom |
|
Morning Programming New Member Introductions Hidden in Plain Sight Brian Hayden, Visit Buffalo Workforce Development Updates Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County, NY Miss New York & NYS Tourism Sloane Lewis, Miss New York Organization Industry Engagement Opportunities |
8:45 - 10:00 AM |
Grande Ballroom |
|
1:1 Networking Sessions: |
10:00 - 12:00 PM |
Lobby Restaurant |
| Breakout Sessions |
1:1 Networking Sessions: |
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Lobby Restaurant |
|
Breakout Sessions |
Canal Society & Canal NY Marketing & Business Alliance Joint Meeting Open to all |
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Jr. Ballroom |
|
Welcome Luncheon hosted by the New York Power Authority and the New York Canal Corporation New York City Update Kelly Curtin, New York City Tourism + Conventions Trails That Pay Off: How Greenways Drive Visitation, Spending, and Placemaking Erica Schneider, Parks & Trails New York. About This Session |
12:00 -1:15 PM | Grande Ballroom |
|
Immersion Tours for Professional Development 1. Sustainability, Ecotourism, Responsible Travel 2. Sports Tourism 3. Heritage Tourism 4. Inclusive Tourism 5. M.I.C.E. Meets Economic Development |
1:30 - 5:00 PM | Various Offsite Locations |
|
Return Reception hosted by Oneida County Tourism Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and drinks at the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton as you connect with fellow attendees before heading out into Utica for a dine-around night. |
5:00 - 6:30 PM | DoubleTree by Hilton Utica |
|
Freestyle Dining |
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Explore Oneida County! |
|
Bougie & Boozie Meet Up with the New York Sherpa & Friends |
8:30 - 10:30 PM | Ocean Blue Oyster Bar |
Friday, April 24:
|
Program |
Time | Location |
|
Breakfast hosted by Miles Partnership Welcome and Greetings |
7:30 - 9:00 AM |
Grande Ballroom |
|
Breakout Session |
Advocacy in Action: Strengthening Tourism's Voice in Your Community Josiah Brown, New York's Best Experiences |
9:00 - 10:15 AM |
Delta Hotels by Marriott Utica Room name TBA |
|
Breakout Session |
Who's Selling New York? Meet the Buyers Behind the Bookings Isabelle Mary, CEO & Chief of Fun Operations, MAD Tours & Events |
9:00 - 10:15 AM |
Delta Hotels by Marriott Utica Room name TBA |
|
Adjournment |
10:15 - 10:30 AM | Grande Ballroom |