Watkins Glen International Makes Donation to Tourism Industry Scholarship Fund

Watkins Glen, NY – Watkins Glen International, North America's premier racing facility located in the beautiful Finger Lakes region, has donated $1,450 to the Destinations of NYS Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary College Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund is managed by the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA).

The monies were raised this past fall, when the facility hosted NYSTIA's annual Tourism Excellence Awards reception and dinner. Guests were given the opportunity to pay an additional fee to take a thrilling ride in an official pace car around the track. During the reception, Michael Printup, President of Watkins Glen International, made the announcement that the fees, designated to cover the costs to operate the pace cars, would instead be donated to the scholarship fund.

Pre-event, pace car ride reservations had tallied $900. Following Mr. Printup's announcement of the donation, on-site sales soared another $550, with some attendees opting to take an additional ride for fun and a good cause.

Jill Delaney, President & CEO of NYSTIA states, “Our organization is thrilled to accept this incredible donation on behalf of the Tourism Scholarship Fund. Support from organizations such as The Glen, as well as our many attendees and members, ensures that we will have a future generation of tourism professionals trained and ready to continue our efforts to promote the wonders of New York State.”

“Watkins Glen International is so proud to support the Destinations of NYS Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary College Scholarship Fund,” said Michael Printup. “This is a tremendous program that benefits a number of students who are on the path to doing big things in our great state. We'd like to thank NYSTIA for the opportunity to be part of the program, and look forward to continuing our valued partnership in 2018.”

In 2017, the scholarship fund awarded four $1,500 scholarships to college students from across New York State, following a vetting of applications by the NYSTIA scholarship committee. The 2018 application process is now open through February 28^th. Recipients will be announced at the “I Love New York” Empire State Tourism Conference in Schenectady, NY on April 24, 2018.

Scholarship applicants must be New York residents enrolled in a NYS-based college or university, pursuing a degree program related to travel, tourism, hospitality, or culinary arts. More details and an application are online at www.EmpireStateTourism.com, or contact info@nystia.org for assistance.

History: For 27 years, a college scholarship program was administered by Destinations of New York State (DONYS) a tourism marketing company founded in 1979 that actively markets and promotes tourism throughout New York State. In 2015, the scholarship program was transferred to NYSTIA for administration, fundraising and disbursement. To honor DONYS founders Charley Daley and the late David Thornton for their service to the tourism industry and this important program, NYSTIA re-branded it as the Destinations of NYS Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary College Scholarship Fund.

Watkins Glen International (www.theglen.com) was established on the streets of Watkins Glen, NY in 1948 and is North America's premier racing facility. The Glen has a long and storied past from its Formula 1 roots to its position as New York's home for NASCAR.

The New York State Tourism Industry Association (www.nystia.org) is a statewide membership based organization for travel and tourism related businesses. NYSTIA is a 501c6, New York State not-for-profit Corporation engaged in the business of advocacy, leadership, marketing and professional development.

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