Apr 3, 2026
Who's Selling New York? Meet the Buyers Behind the Bookings
The travel trade—tour operators, receptive operators, and destination management companies—is one of the most powerful distribution channels available to New York State destinations and suppliers, and one of the least understood. This breakout session on Friday, April 24 at the 2026 New York State Tourism Conference brings real buyers into the room to explain, in their own words, how the travel trade works, what they sell, and what they need to sell more of New York.
What you will learn in this session:
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A clear picture of how different types of travel trade buyers operate and how they sell New York
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Direct insight into what product is working, what is in demand, and where the gaps are
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A practical understanding of what "trade-ready" means from a buyer's perspective
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Specific actions to become more visible and accessible to the travel trade
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The opportunity to connect directly with panelists and with Alon Tourism Solutions
The Panelists:
- Isabelle Mary, CEO & Chief of Fun Operations, MAD Tours & Events
- Lezlie Harper, Tour Operator, NIAGARA BOUND TOURS
- Steve Adams, Owner, Knickerbocker Tours LLC
- Esther Bruker-Roth, Senior Groups Manager, AlliedTPro
This Session is Organized By:
Alon Tourism Solutions is a global tourism marketing consultancy that educates, prepares and connects tourism destinations, suppliers, and global tourism sales teams to fast-track profitable B2B relationships and symbiotic success. On-demand sales and marketing initiatives, strategic consulting, tourism training, and targeted networking pave the path to enhanced visibility, sales growth, and healthy bottom lines for tourism companies.