Sep 19, 2023
New Officers, Board Members Elected at New York State Tourism Industry Association Annual Meeting:
Over 200 members of New York State’s tourism industry gathered at the NYSTIA Annual Meeting, which featured a keynote from Christopher Thompson, President & CEO of Brand USA, workshops and panel discussions on destination management, marketing and stewardship, and reports from NYSTIA committees, advisory boards and task force groups on sustainable tourism practices, DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion & accessibility), workforce development, and advocacy, and an I LOVE New York presentation on international marketing programs for 2024.
Corey Fram, Director of Tourism for the 1000 Islands International Tourism Council, was elected Board Chair at the Annual Meeting of the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA), September 13-15 at the Hyatt Regency Rochester hotel. He succeeds Kelly Curtin, Executive Vice President of New York City Tourism + Conventions, who will now serve on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair. Joining Fram on the Executive Committee are Greg LaDuca (Visit Rochester); Vice Chair-elect; Stephanie Johnson (LEGOLAND NY), Treasurer; Cassandra Harrington (This Is Cooperstown), Secretary; Hillarie Logan-Dechene (The Wild Center), Vice Chair - Advocacy; and John Percy (Destination Niagara USA), Vice Chair - at Large.
“NYSTIA’s role in supporting and growing New York State’s tourism industry was evident to all in 2023,” notes Corey Fram, newly elected Board Chair. “NYSTIA plays a key role as the convener of our industry to pursue initiatives and best practices in tourism workforce development; sustainability; stewardship; advocacy; diversity, and inclusion; and marketing the great state of New York. Tourism is a vital industry from New York City to the 1000 Islands and every corner of the Empire State. I fully expect and intend that NYSTIA’s momentum will continue to build and deliver positive outcomes for our industry, our state, and our destinations in 2024!”
Newly elected to a three-year term on the NYSTIA Board of Directors were Hilary Fenner, Executive Director of the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce, and Olga Luz Tirado, President of O Communications & Solutions, Inc. in Beacon, NY. Re-elected to a second term on the board were Beth Duane (Corning Museum of Glass), Sarah Foster Calero (Oneida County Tourism), Greg LaDuca (Visit Rochester), Hillarie Logan-Dechene (The Wild Center) and Eric Szucs (Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism.
Also featured in Rochester were the 2023 New York State Tourism Excellence Awards, held at the Strong National Museum of Play. The awards ceremony was emceed by Ross Levi, Vice President/Executive Director of Tourism for Empire State Development/NYS Division of Tourism, and Kelly Curtin, 2023 NYSTIA Board Chair and Executive Vice President of New York City Tourism + Conventions. Nearly two dozen organizations, initiatives and individuals were recognized, most notably Valerie Knoblauch, Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, for Lifetime Achievement; Charlie Daley, Destinations of New York State, the ‘New Yorker’ award for selfless contributions to the industry; and Claire Dunlap, Cayuga County CVB, Excellence in Young, Professional Leadership. Multiple awards went to Dutchess Tourism, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), Advance Media New York and Workshop, a marketing firm with offices in Saratoga and Lake Placid.
Save The Date! Mark Your Calendars:
Plan now to join us at NYSTIA events in 2024!
2024 New York State Tourism Conference:
Niagara Falls, NY * Doubletree by Hilton * April 17 - 19
2024 Annual Meeting / 2024 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards:
Saratoga Springs, NY * Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs * Sept. 11-13
About the New York State Tourism Industry Association:
The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) is a member-driven, 501(c)6 nonprofit organization at the vanguard of transformational tourism marketing, stewardship, and long-term strategic thinking. We assist our members in advancing responsible economic growth, creating jobs, revitalizing communities, supporting small business success, and increasing state and local tax revenues in order to improve the standard of living, quality of life and pride of place for New York State communities and residents. We achieve these goals by facilitating the success of our members in realizing the economic potential of New York State's tourism industry, acting as a catalyst for collaborative initiatives, exceptional marketing programs, industry research, and legislative awareness.