March 10-11, 2008
Crowne Plaza, Albany, NY
The Hart Lounge in the Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany

The successful 2008 Hospitality & Tourism Summit featured the combined efforts of the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSH&TA) and the Tourism Industry Coalition of New York State (TIC). The Summit was an educational and networking event geared specifically for hospitality and tourism professionals. The event included, among other things,

• Two days of industry-specific education sessions and seminars
• Third Annual Silent Auction which benefited the Education Foundation
• Stars of the Industry Gala & Banquet
• Luncheon reception to kick off Tourism Showcase
• Appointments with legislators
• Tourism Showcase Reception

• Dan Gunderson, Co-Chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation, spoke at the luncheon about tourism in New York State
• Thomas Ranese, Empire State Development’s Chief Marketing Officer, spoke about the marketing direction of New York State
• Representatives from the New York State Department of Labor, Health, and Tax & Finance
• Peter Yesawich, from the Y Partnership
• Senator Mary Lou Rath, Chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee and Assemblyman Steven Englebright, Chairman of the Assembly Tourism Committee

For complete details of the Tourism Showcase portion of the Summit, click here.

Photo Highlights from the 2008 Hospitality & Tourism Summit

Dan Gunderson, upstate chairman of the Empire State
Development Corp., discussed the positive impact tourism
has on the upstate economy and why it is vital for the
state to support the industry with state advertising dollars.


Thomas Ranese, chief marketing officer for I Love NY,
spoke about the marketing direction of New York State
in 2008 during the Summit's kick-off luncheon.


Representatives from the Departments of Health, Labor and
Tax and Finance detailed where their focus will be over the
next year and allowed hoteliers to ask questions about
topics specific to their properties.


Peter Yesawich, a well-respected spokesman, inspired
hospitality & tourism professionals with his expertise of the
industry at the Hospitality & Tourism Summit.


(Left to right) Tony Mangano, past chairman of the board, and
General Manager of the Ramada Inn Syracuse, facilitated
an Energy-saving panel discussion featuring Tim
Treadwell, Juice, Inc.; Marilyn Dare, NYSERDA; Gordon Boyd,
EnergyNext; and Tom Cunningham, Constellation New Energy.
The Panel discussed energy efficiency improvements, clean
technologies, and shopping for the lowest energy.


David Heymann, General Manager at the Sheraton
Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center, looks
over various items at the Third Annual Silent Auction,
which benefits the Fred & Gertrude England
Hospitality Education Foundation.


The Stars of the Industry Gala & Awards Banquet, was
where we honored the hospitality industry’s shining stars.
Eleven people were recognized as being the best in their field.
Categories included everyone from Housekeeper of the Year to
Tourism Executive. To see a list of all the winners and
some photos from the evening, click here.