Aug 13, 2025
Why I Lead the Way I Do
2025 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards Honoree: Career/Lifetime Achievement in Leadership
Join us on Thursday morning in Lake George at the 2025 NYS Tourism Excellence Summit where Karen Kuhl, Executive Director at Cayuga County C&VB, Inc., will share the guiding principles, pivotal moments, and hard-won lessons that have shaped her leadership journey in tourism. From building partnerships to driving community-centered change, learn how a values-driven approach has turned her vision into lasting impact.
Be part of a conversation grounded in real-world experiences — the successes, the challenges, and the unexpected lessons that come from leading through transformation and in partnership.
Why You Should Attend This Session:
- Hear firsthand from the NYSTIA Excellence in Leadership: Career/Lifetime Achievement Award recipient about leading with vision, collaboration, and adaptability in tourism.
- Gain practical insights on turning challenges into opportunities for community and industry growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Actionable strategies for building partnerships that drive lasting impact.
- Leadership lessons you can adapt to inspire teams, strengthen relationships, and navigate change.
About Karen:
With over 35 years in the tourism industry, Karen has worked her way from frontline hospitality roles to destination leadership, driven by a belief that tourism should create lasting benefits for both visitors and residents. Her career spans international sustainable tourism projects in Nicaragua to transformative initiatives in New York’s Finger Lakes, where she has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion, elevated Harriet Tubman’s legacy, and positioned Cayuga County as a leader in responsible tourism. Known for her collaborative, values-driven approach, Karen leads with vision, builds partnerships that inspire action, and champions tourism’s power to strengthen communities.
Tour Cayuga is the official tourism promotion agency for Cayuga County, located in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region. Our mission is to inspire travel that supports local businesses, celebrates our cultural and natural assets, and strengthens our community. We showcase the county’s rich heritage while leading initiatives in sustainable tourism and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tour Cayuga has evolved from a marketing-first organization to a tourism management and stewardship agency, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are felt by residents and visitors alike.