For Immediate Release:
Contact: Joe McQueen
(518) 388-4772
September 30, 2016
Schenectady County Legislature to Discuss Creation of
County Tourism and Convention Visitors Bureau
(Schenectady County, NY) The Schenectady County Legislature will discuss the creation of a new County Tourism and Convention Bureau at the October 3, 2016 County Legislature Committee Meeting.
“Our economic redevelopment efforts have put Schenectady County on the map as a true tourism destination,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “Now we have an opportunity to build upon that success with the opening of the new Rivers Casino which promises to make Schenectady County a sought after place to visit. The time is right to create an organization that will attract conventions, meetings and welcome the hundreds of thousands of new visitors that will be coming into our community beginning next year.”
The Schenectady County Tourism and Convention Bureau would be a not-for-profit corporation expressly chartered to coordinate conferences, conventions and other tourism initiatives and to promote the many arts, cultural, entertainment, and leisure activities that Schenectady County has to offer. The Board of Directors will be made up of various stakeholders including representatives from different segments of the County’s hospitality, arts, cultural, and entertainment sectors. The Bureau will bring planning, leadership, and an enhanced cohesiveness to our tourism efforts.
“The Rivers Casino, Proctors and our vibrant entertainment district have made Schenectady County a true tourism destination. We need to start positioning ourselves to take advantage of this opportunity to show people all that we have to offer,” said Legislator Gary Hughes, sponsor of the resolution creating the entity. “Our efforts will attract overnight visitors for meetings and conventions, as well as those looking to see a show or go out to dinner, generating additional sales tax revenue.”
Funding for the Schenectady County Tourism and Visitors Bureau will come from the County’s hotel/motel bed tax which is restricted for county-wide arts and tourism efforts.
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