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New York tourism professionals to gather for annual conference

by jmaloni

Press release

Tue, Mar 26th 2013 08:45 am

"I Love New York" Empire State Tourism Conference set for May 1-3 in Niagara Falls

Tourism industry professionals are invited to gather at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls from May 1 to 3 for the annual "I Love New York" Empire State Tourism Conference, hosted by the New York State Travel & Vacation Association and the New York State Department of Economic Development, Division of Tourism (I Love New York).

Complete conference details, including seminars, speakers, schedules, registration rates and hotel information, is online at www.nystva.org/empire-state-tourism-conference.

The theme of this year's conference is "Building Our Empire: Tourism is the Strong Economic Foundation in New York State." According to statistics provided by the state Hospitality & Tourism Association, tourism is big business, sustaining nearly 700,000 jobs (as the state's fifth largest employer), and generating nearly $7 billion in annual tax revenue. Attendees at the conference can utilize the educational seminars for professional development and to improve the tourism products and revenue for their destinations and attractions.

In addition to professional development, the "I Love New York" Empire State Tourism Conference will feature a trade show of industry services and products; a "speed-dating" networking event for tourism professionals with travel media, tour operators and travel agents; a fundraising auction for student scholarships; a golf outing; and a local tour.

The keynote address, titled "Partnerships to Increase Travel in the United States," will be delivered by Amir Eylon, vice president for partnership development at Brand USA. Brand USA, the first ever destination marketing organization for the U.S., is a public/private partnership with the mission of promoting increased international travel to the U.S. Brand USA was established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010 to spearhead the nation's first global marketing effort to promote the U.S. as a premier travel destination and communicate U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures.

Additional presentation topics include packaging and collaboration, social media, downtown shopping development, finance for non-financial people, and best practices for reputation management.

NYSTA said it is pleased to welcome I Love New York as co-host of this year's conference. Under the administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York state has increased funding for tourism promotion and has acknowledged the economic impact that the industry provides to the state.

"We are pleased that I Love NY is partnering with us to host this conference," said NYSTVA president Jim Walter. "It shows that the state and private industry continue to work towards a mutual goal of promoting our vibrant tourism products."

Conference registration is ongoing through the end of April, with early bird registration discounts available until April 12. Businesses interested in exhibiting may also go online to www.nystva.org/empire-state-tourism-conference for opportunities and registration.

The New York State Travel & Vacation Association, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Akron, is the tourism industry leader in communication, legislative awareness, professional development and promotion. For more information or to join, visit www.nystva.org.

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