Sep 8, 2025
Making a BIG IMPACT with Tiny George
Join us on Friday in Lake George at the 250 Commemoration Summit where Melaine Rottkamp, President & CEO from Destination Dutchess, will share their campaign for the 250th. Launched Presidents’ Day weekend, Dutchess County’s Commander-in-Cheers program is quite literally ‘Revolutionary’. Delivered through QR codes on coasters in taverns, tasting rooms and restaurants, a tiny hologram of George Washington himself appears to tell tales of Dutchess County’s role in the revolution. This innovative augmented reality initiative created by Destination Dutchess working closely with the Dutchess County Historian, the creative minds at FourthIdea and tech experts Evercoast, sparked excitement and new engagement with the county’s Revolutionary War history.
Why You Should Attend This Session:
- Explore new ways to share your history with non-traditional audiences.
- Think outside the box with your messaging and delivery methods.
- Learn ways to blend creative and tech to provide experiences that are interactive, immersive, and memorable.
Key Takeaways:
- Collaboration is key to success! Build a winning team.
- Meet people where they are. Don’t just hope they’ll come to you.
- Technology is your friend. Use it for increased impact.
About Melaine:
Melaine Rottkamp is a certified destination management executive who has worked passionately since 2011 to support and highlight more than 1,200 tourism-related businesses and organizations throughout Dutchess County, New York.
As President & CEO of Destination Dutchess, she focuses on data-driven strategies to manage Dutchess Tourism’s advertising and marketing efforts to aggressively promote the county as a premiere leisure and business destination. Additionally, she oversees the non-profit’s business support and outreach programs including ongoing workforce development programs, educational seminars, conferences, networking, and recognition events.
She is proud to serve as the president of the Hudson Valley Tourism board of directors and on the board of the New York State Destination Marketing Organization.
A graduate of Syracuse University, Melaine has shared her expertise as a presenter at regional, state and international tourism conferences providing insight, successful strategies, and encouraging collaborations as pathways toward success for destination organizations and tourism businesses.
Destination Dutchess is the officially designated destination marketing organization for Dutchess County, New York, and is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program of Destinations International. An independent 501(c)(6) non-profit, its award-winning tourism attraction efforts bring millions of dollars in visitor spending to area businesses and major economic investment to the county, benefitting all residents.