Sep 22, 2025
Recap, Photos & Thank You's: 2025 New York State Tourism Excellence Awards & Summit
Thank you to the 220+ tourism industry professionals who joined us from across New York State, the USA, Canada, Europe and Ireland at the 2025 New York State Tourism Excellence Awards & Summit and the NYS 250 Commemoration Summit in Lake George! We want to express our appreciation and gratitude to the many attendees, partners and presenters who participated at the event.
First, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our host hotel partners Sam Luciano (President), Christine Proctor (Conference Service Manager) and the team at the Ft. William Henry Hotel & Conference Center; our Host TPA Warren County Tourism (thank you Heather Bagshaw, Paul Tackett and team), Host DMO Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB (thank you, Gina Mintzer, Megan Seeley, Brian Mulligan & team!) for their hospitality and help throughout the planning and execution of the event.
Thank you to our Tourism Summit presenting partners the New York State Canal Corporation (represented by Liz McAndrew and Shane Mahar); rove (James Sauter and Sally Donovan) for their generous support of NYSTIA programming; Advance Media New York (Bridget Cerrone) for hosting the fantastic 2025 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards Ceremony & Reception; Brookfield Renewable NA (Mark Luciano) for hosting the morning breakfast on Friday, September 12; and our reception hosts for Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Skal International, Albany / Upstate Chapter, (Tom Martinelli) and Wheresight, (Caroline Dunlea and Karl Llewellyn).
We would also like to thank New York State Historian Devin Lander (emcee) for hosting the NYS 250th Commemoration Summit on Friday morning. The program was packed with updates, briefings. case studies of collaboration, and insights from historians, NYS agencies, and tourism executives. We would also like to thank the team at Brookfield Renewable and Saratoga 250 for hosting the 250 Luncheon Buffet!
Last but certainly not least, we would like to thank our colleagues at I LOVE NY/ESD, in particular Ross D. Levi and Jessica Pulver for their program contributions.
