The Saratoga Race Course (pictured) is believed to be the oldest sporting venue in the U.S.
It is a special destination that showcases its past, present, and future. New York, a historically important state that stays current and vibrant, dazzles groups by doing just that. From the Saratoga Automobile Museum that preserves and exhibits automobiles and automotive artifacts, to the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art in Peekskill that features cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions, upstate New York offers a plethora of arts and entertainment, culinary, nature, and historic attractions for any interest.
Take Albany, for example. Last year, the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau assisted with 380 meetings and conferences, as well as sporting and special events that utilized its hotels, the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, the Times Union Center, and other venues throughout Albany County.
These meetings and events brought more than 248,500 attendees to the area, who utilized over 90,600 room nights. Approximately $37 million was spent by attendees and organizers generating more than $4.6 million in state and local taxes.
Saratoga Splendor
Saratoga's natural springs, with their reputed healing powers, have been attracting tourists for more than two centuries. Combine these fresh and carbonated waters with the clean mountain air and aroma of pine emanating from the surrounding trees, and you have a deeply relaxing destination.
"When people think of the city of Saratoga Springs and surrounding Saratoga County, health, history, and horses come to mind, but that's only the beginning," says Todd Garofano, president of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau.
Given its close proximity to major gateway markets (equidistant from NYC, Boston, and Montreal, all within a three-hour drive and less than an hour flight to Albany International Airport) Saratoga is positioned well to serve as a conference destination.
There is the award-winning Saratoga National Golf Club, Saratoga National Historic Park, Saratoga Casino and Raceway, Canfield Casino, Saratoga Winery & Tasting Room, and the internationally renowned Saratoga Race Course, a historic thoroughbred horseracing track built in 1863 and considered to be the oldest sporting venue in the country. About 20 minutes before race time it's exciting to see the colorful jockeys atop their mounts in the paddock area of the track.
In addition, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the official summer home of the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra, is a popular nearby venue for rock concerts, operas, and festivals.
Saratoga County is also the heart of New York State's Tech Valley and home to a growing number of high-tech companies such as Global Foundries and IBM's R&D and nanotechnology divisions.
Saratoga hotels and inns provide a host of high-quality meeting facilities and event venues. The year-old Pavilion Grand hotel and just-opened Embassy Suites Saratoga Springs are the newest additions, with several more projects in the works.
The 149-suite Embassy Suites opened in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs in March. The hotel's 6,000 square feet of versatile event space, including a 3,500-square-foot ballroom and seven flexible conference spaces, complete with state-of-the-art A/V technology and dedicated catering staff, is ideal for meetings and events for up to 220 people.
In other hotel news, the Saratoga Casino and Raceway, a video slot machine parlor and harness race track, is getting a 108-room hotel with an indoor pool and fine-dining restaurant.
Most of Saratoga's hotels are in, or very close to the walkable, lively, and historic downtown, which provides attendees an opportunity to enjoy memorable dining experiences, shop at eclectic shops and galleries, and enjoy an entertaining nightlife scene.
With offerings that include world-class golf, luxurious spas (many utilizing the natural spring waters), national museums and renowned galleries, and a wealth of shopping options, Saratoga offers all the destination essentials without the big-city expense.
"Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County have long been known as a summer tourist destination," adds Garofano. "Over the last several years, we have grown into a year-round destination, thanks in large part to the robust meetings and convention business that takes place at our city center, our hotels, and unique venues throughout the city and county."
WHERE TO…
PLAY - iFLY
This new indoor sky-diving facility, scheduled to open in Westchester's Ridge Hill this fall, replicates the adrenaline-charged sensation of a skydiving free fall. No special skills are required and almost anyone over the age of three can fly. This is a great activity after a long day of meetings.
STAY - The Saratoga Arms
This family-owned-and-operated establishment combines the quaintness of a B&B with the upscale amenities of a boutique hotel. This restored 1870 brick hotel includes 31 guest rooms and is conveniently located across the street from the City Center. It lives up to its tagline, "Small Meetings in Grand Style."
MEET - Bear Mountain Inn
After a multi-year renovation, Bear Mountain Inn is once again welcoming groups, with several large meeting rooms such as the 3,000-square-foot Appalachian Room and 1,550-square-foot Adirondack room. At the northern end of the park, there's still more function space at the Overlook Lodge and 1,600-square-foot Cliffhouse.
ESSENTIAL Tool Box
CONVENTION CENTERS & FACILITIES
Saratoga Springs City Center (32,000 sf); Westchester County Center (55,000 sf)
ROOM TAX
Varies
READERS RECOMMEND
Pinnacle Awards Go To:
• Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau
Hudson Valley
Westchester County's proximity to Manhattan makes its towns such as White Plains, Rye, and Tarrytown popular meeting venues. The region has a dozen properties that specialize in meetings of up to 200 people, and 11 that cater to groups of 500 and up (no wonder its tagline is "Meet Me in Westchester County"). Some, such as the Doral Arrowwood and Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center, are dedicated conference facilities that provide a campus/resort-style setting, and there are a number of historic country inns that also cater to small meetings.
The area has some impressive historical cred when it comes to meetings: Tarrytown House Estate became the nation's first conference center when it was completed in 1964. Described in a New York Times article that year as a "campus for hire," the Estate has played host to thousands of businesses, organizations, and educational institutions over the past 50 years and has paved the way for the growth of the conference center industry.
While the property has existed as a conference center for the past half century, it dates back as early as 1840. In 1921, Mary Duke Biddle of the Duke Tobacco family purchased the large granite mansion, which is known today as the Biddle Mansion.
Westchester County Tourism has introduced the "Meetings are Meaningful" program to help connect meeting planners with a pair of local charities -- the Food Bank for Westchester and the Friends of Westchester County Parks, an environmental rehabilitation and conservation group.
"When planning an event, most meeting planners and corporate executives want to add an altruistic element and teambuilding component to their event," says Natasha Caputo, executive director of the Westchester County Tourism. "Westchester County is well prepared to accommodate this."
Several meeting facilities in Westchester County have undergone renovations, including spa upgrades at The Castle Hotel and Spa, which features 31 guest rooms and suites, and 4,100 square feet of meeting and event space, as well as the 146-room Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, which has 10,000 square feet of meeting and special-event space, including a 500-person ballroom. The 348-room Renaissance Westchester Hotel, situated on 30 acres of rolling countryside in the Hudson Valley, recently completed a $13-million renovation. The hotel's redesigned meeting space includes the Harrison Ballroom and Hudson Room, adding 3,320 square feet of space.
The first Hyatt Place Hotel in Westchester County recently opened at the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers. There are 155 guestrooms and 990 square feet of flexible meeting/function space.
The Doral Arrowwood, nestled just outside of White Plains in Rye Brook Village, plans to expand its meeting rooms. At present, there is 38,000 square feet of meeting space, including 33 meeting rooms and a 6,500-square-foot ballroom.
The 445-room Hilton Westchester recently renovated its meeting space. The hotel has a total of 32,000 square feet of flexible function space in 22 rooms accommodating up to 1,110.
The Hudson Valley has a multitude of remarkable venues for offsite events. They include Lyndhurst, one of Westchester County's historic landmarks and Alexander Jackson Davis's 1838 Gothic Revival masterpiece, with the same dramatic views of the Hudson River once enjoyed by railroad baron Jay Gould.
Not to be missed in Hyde Park, NY, is the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. America's longest serving president was born and is buried in here. His home, and that of his wife, Eleanor, are fascinating National Historic Sites and are also available for special events.
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]
This article appears in the June 2015 issue of Successful Meetings.