On March 10, 2009, the Tourism Industry Coalition of New York State (TIC) — 19 association and industry-supporting organizations whose main goal is to represent the tourism industry on key legislative and regulatory issues — hosted the 2009 Tourism Showcase Reception at the Hart Lounge, in the Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY.

Some of the statewide issues on this year's lobbying agenda included:

• Support of the Governor’s Tourism Budget
• Opposition of the Recreation and Amusement Tax

Members of the State Legislature met with hundreds of tourism industry professionals from across the state to discuss the importance of tourism — the state’s second-largest leading growth industry — and its direct impact on the state’s economy and their bottom line.

New York State hospitality and tourism representatives from more than 30 tourist destinations and promotion agencies were on hand to convey to legislators just how important tourism is to their local economies.

Members of the Tourism Industry Coalition

• Bus Association of New York State
• Campground Owners of NY
• Cooperstown/Otsego County Tourism
• Dutchess County Tourism
• Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance
• Hotel Association of New York City
• Long Island CVB & Sports Commission
• Museum Association of New York
• NYC & Company
• New York State Association of CVBs
• New York State Tourism Promotion Agencies Council
• New York Power Authority
• New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association
• New York State Restaurant Association
• New York State Travel and Vacation Association
• New York Wine & Grape Foundation
• Oneida County Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Ski Areas of New York

Associate Members

• Cooperstown/Otsego County Tourism
• Dutchess County Tourism
• Oneida County CVB

*The Tourism Industry Coalition is its own entity which is administrated Daniel C. Murphy, President of the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association.

Highlights from the 2009 Tourism Showcase

Assemblymember Steven Englebright,
Chairman of the Assembly Tourism Committee,
outlined the strengths of New York State tourism at the
2009 Tourism Showcase Reception at the Egg, Albany.


(Left to right) Roberta Byron-Lockwood, President & CEO
of the Sullivan County Visitors Association, Inc. with
Assemblymember David Townsend (District 115, Oneida & Oswego County).


(Left to right) Rob Kaiser from Wildwood Lake Campground,
Medina, NY with Assemblymember Steven Hawley
(District 139, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara & Orleans County).


(Left to right) Mary Kay Vrba, Director of Dutchess County
Tourism with Assemblymember Molinaro (District 103,
Columbia & Dutchess County).


(Left to right) Mike Johnston, General Manager of the Long Island
Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Moke McGowan,
President of the Long Island CVB & Sports Commission,
Assemblymember Joseph Saladino (District 12, Nassau County), Kristen Matejka &
Bridget Dunwell of the Long Island CVB & Sports Commission
and Assemblymember Michael Fitzpatrick (District 7, Suffolk County).