Be A 2025 NYSTIA Tourism Champion!

Thank you to all of our 2024 Tourism Champions! The commitment of 40+ destinations to our programming and consumer travel shows schedule had a profound impact in 2024. Your support enabled us to invest in an expanded schedule and additional events: 

1. We now have three active booth setups and are frequently exhibiting at multiple locations! The booth's look and interactive features continue to attract consumer attention. Show promoters are giving us more favorable positions because we enhance their event experience. 
2. We promised 18 travel shows, and we delivered (more!). We attended more domestic and international shows than ever before, added Montreal and Quebec to our schedule, and exhibited in Canada seven times. We returned to the New York State Fair! 
3. We added member events to our schedule, bringing the Tourism Champions exhibit booth to member events.
4. We reported to you after each show in the weekly NYSTIA newsletter. 
5. We have continued to build out our Tourism Champions digital visitors' site and will go live in 2025. If you still need to complete your Champions portal page on our new digital visitor site - contact Nate Gresock (nate@nystia.org) now! 

Here is a list of all the shows and events we exhibited at in 2024:

• • AAA Pittsburgh Travel Showcase
  • USA International Sportsman, Outdoor Recreation & Travel Show (Pittsburgh, PA)
  • Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show
  • AAA Lehigh Valley Vacation Expo
  • Camping, Hunting & Fishing Show of Trois-Rivières (Halfway between Quebec City and Montreal)
  • Adirondack Sports Summer Expo
  • Montreal Outdoor Adventure Show
  • Ottawa Travel & Vacation Show
  • Ottawa Valley Outdoor Adventure & Sportsmen's Show
  • Ottawa Outdoor + Adventure Travel Show
  • Springfield Dream Destination Spring Travel Show
  • Naturally Lewis Economic Development Conference
  • The Great New York State Fair
  • Association of Canadian Travel Agencies Toronto Summit
  • Association of Canadian Travel Agencies Montreal Summit
  • National Drive Electric Week: New York Capital District Drive Electric Week & Sustainability Fair
  • Springfield Dream Destination Fall Travel Show
  • AAA Cleveland Vacation Expo
  • Bus Association of New York Annual Meeting and Marketplace
  • 2024 Partners for Workforce and Economic Development Conference
  • Adirondack Sports Winter Expo
  • Montreal International Tourism and Travel Show
  • New York State School Counselor Association Annual Conference

I could add more details in recapping progress in 2024, but I want to share the exciting news about what we're planning for 2025. We plan to elevate the program to a new level!

Please take a look at the 2025 Tourism Champions agreement / sign-up form linked below. The investment ($3,750) will save you well over $1,000 off the a la carte cost of the 2025 travel show schedule. It also includes complimentary event registrations for both the New York State Tourism Conference and the 2025 New York State Tourism Excellence Summit & Awards (that's an additional $950 in savings!).

At present, the 2025 Tourism Champions agreement is available to destination-specific travel guides (e.g. County TPAs, DMOs, attractions, hotels). Brokered content / media publications, regional publications featuring multiple destinations should contact Nate Gresock, nate@nystia.org to discuss their needs.

2025 NYSTIA Champion Destinations participant package:

1. Participation in all NYSTIA international and domestic travel shows & events:
   1. 18 shows/events featuring your travel guide guaranteed, including the 2025 New York State Fair!
   2. Your travel guide for all shows shipped to one convenient location.
   3. Travel shows in new domestic markets (Chicago and Washington DC) as well as other US cities.
   4. Events and shows in Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec, Montreal).
   5. Photo booth at travel show allowing attendees to take photos in the booth.
   6. Opportunity to participate/staff at travel shows as mutually agreed*.
2. 2025 New York State Tourism Conference (April 23-25, 2025 - Hotel Canandaigua, Canandaigua, NY):
   1. Complimentary registration for one (1) representative ($475 value)
   2. Recognition/thank you.
3. 2025 New York State Tourism Best Practice Summit
   -  New York State Tourism Excellence Awards, (Sept. 10-12, 2025 - Fort William Henry Hotel & Conference Center in Lake George, NY) 
   1. Complimentary registration for one (1) representative ($475 value)
   2. Recognition/thank you.
4. 52-week Destination Feature on NYSTIA hosted microsite:
   1. Includes Tourism Champion destination description, photos, links to video, app and visitor guide downloads, links to destination website. (Content to be provided by destination)
   2. Tourism Champion destination description may be updated as desired during 2025.
   3. Portal page promoted at all NYSTIA travel shows, online and through QR code.
   4. Tourism Champions giveaway page
   5. Monthly consumer newsletter will launch January, 2025, featuring Tourism Champion destination events, attractions, and features.

2025 NYSTIA Tourism Champion Destinations agree to the following New York State Tourism Industry Association:

1. Financial compensation to the New York State Tourism Industry Association in the amount of $3,750 to cover the cost of your participation, enhancing consumer marketing outreach and presentation.
   1. Invoiced January 1, 2025 with a due date of March 31, 2025 unless earlier invoicing is requested. Contact Brooke Wilson, Brooke@nystia.org to request any changes.
2. Access as mutually agreeable to your expertise for committee engagement, membership development/outreach and consultation.

* Subject to event promoter staffing guidelines/availability of exhibitor passes