Registration Open: New York State Great Outdoors Summit

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Location: Embassy Suites Syracuse - Destiny Mall

Agenda & Registration

Most destinations are well aware of the outdoor resources and opportunities in their own backyard, but have only a superficial knowledge of the full extent of New York State's great outdoors. Many residents and the vast majority of domestic and international consumer travelers have very limited knowledge of New York as a great outdoors destination.

“The original idea was to create a Summit focused on the NY State Canals." states Event Co-Chair Tammee Poinan Grimes, Board Chair of the Canal New York Marketing & Business Alliance. "As we began talking about the possibilities, we quickly realized that New York’s canals are connected to so much more. They are an artery connecting residents and visitors to an incredible network of outdoor experiences, communities, businesses, trails, waterways, parks, and tourism destinations across the state. This Summit is an opportunity to bring those voices together—to share ideas, learn from one another, explore future opportunities, and find ways to work collectively to promote and strengthen New York’s Great Outdoors.”

During the morning program, attendees will participate in a comprehensive briefing to enrich their knowledge of the full scope and diversity of New York State's outdoor assets and how they are currently utilized and promoted. New York State Agencies and individual destinations, associations and attractions will all participate in sharing insights and information.

Following the luncheon program, discussion coordinators will facilitate an ideation session, harnessing the attendees' collective knowledge and expertise to explore opportunities to collaboratively and responsibly communicate, promote and increase awareness of New York State as a 'great outdoors destination', supporting the work already being done by I LOVE NY and NYS agencies. 

The Great Outdoors Summit is intended to be informational, inspirational and motivational.

"We hope that the Great Outdoors Summit will be the beginning of regional and statewide collaborative initiatives that empower destination marketing outreach, enhance asset awareness and utilization, and further enrich the future experiences of residents and visitors," remarks Bob Provost, Event Co-Chair and President/CEO of the New York State Tourism Industry Association.

Event agenda, registration, hotel booking and event contact: Click here.