Erica Schneider to Speak at the 2024 NYS Tourism Conference

Erica Schneider, Policy & Planning Manager at Parks & Trails New York, will speak at the 2024 NYS Tourism Conference as part of the Great Outdoors panel on Wednesday, April 17. During her session, Erica will speak on Trails as Drivers of Sustainable Economic Development.

 

The Empire State Trail, ranked as the number one best rail trail in the country by Outside Magazine, is a critical economic driver for numerous trailside communities, drawing visitors from around the country and the world. Parks & Trails New York has a vision of a fully connected network of trails building on the Empire State Trail and connecting every corner of the state for residents to enjoy and visitors to explore. Erica will speak to how communities and tourism professionals can leverage New York’s growing network of exceptional trails by developing and implementing strategies like improving trail-to-town connectivity, enhancing the services and amenities that trail users seek, and providing the essential information that will entice potential trail users to visit.

Erica Schneider is the Policy & Planning Manager for Parks & Trails New York. Erica's work includes advocating for the expansion of New York’s system of parks and greenway trails, developing promotional resources to connect visitors with the best trail travel experience, and managing programs to guide communities through the steps to maximize the benefits of the outdoor recreation economy. As a planning professional and experienced bike traveler herself, Erica provides a unique perspective when it comes to using trail tourism as a driver of sustainable economic development for New York’s vibrant trailside communities.