The International Motorcoach Group (IMG) named Brown Coach of Amsterdam as its 2017 Operator of the Year at the Strategic Alliance and Marketing Meeting’s awards banquet sponsored by Prevost and held at its Nashville, Tenn., service center.

Brown Coach is thee parent company of Upstate Transit of Saratoga LLC.

In December 2005, Upstate Transit of Saratoga was purchased and became part of the Brown family of transportation. Upstate Transit of Saratoga LLC, with over 20 years of tour planning experience, offers chartered bus service, tours and line service in the Capital/Saratoga region.

The award was accepted by Stephen Brown, vice president of Brown Coach, on behalf of his brother Robert, their families, and the team at Brown Coach.

Each year, IMG recognizes one of its own for the honor.  The award is based on a criteria of operational excellence, safety performance, best practices, community and motorcoach industry involvement and engagement within IMG.

The Hyde Collection’s annual gala raised $150,000 to benefit the museum’s programs and exhibitions.

Some 170 people attended the Oct. 6 event, which celebrated the opening of “A Shared Legacy: Folk Art in America.”

“We are thrilled with the generosity of our supporters,” said Interim Director Anne Saile. “We could not have asked for a more perfect evening.”

Among those in attendance were Sam and Pat Hoopes, whose $50,000 sponsorship of the event inspired others to donate and helped The Hyde exceed its fundraising goals for the gala, officials said. The Hoopes family helped welcome folk art collector Barbara Gordon, from whose collection the exhibition is drawn.

The event was emceed by WAMC personality Joe Donahue. Board of Trustees Chairman Karl Seitz presented former Museum Director Erin Coe with an award of appreciation for her years of service.

By Maureen Werther

At the end of the 2017 summer tourism, there are divergent opinions about who should oversee marketing and promotion of the region going forward.

Members of the Warren County Lodging Association (WCLA) have been lobbying to create a Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which would operate as a business and take over the marketing, advertising and promotion functions that have been the job of Warren County Tourism Department.

Frank Dittrich, member of the WCLA and part owner of several hotels and inns in Lake George, is among those pushing for a change. He and others insist that the increased revenues from room occupancy taxes are the result of increases in room rates and not increased levels of occupancy.

The 2017 Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Expo saw 62 regional businesses exhibiting and strong crowds, Chamber officials said.

Held on Sept. 21 at The Queensbury Hotel, the event provided area businesses a chance to gather, network and connect in an exhibit-style setting. It gives members an opportunity to showcase their businesses and services that they provide.

Complimentary food samples and various door prizes were also part of the event at the hotel.

“We have received a lot of positive feedback on the event,” says Marti Burnley, ARCC interim president. “It was great to see some familiar faces and a lot of new ones as well. Plus, the Queensbury Hotel did an amazing job. I think everyone really enjoyed it.”

The premier sponsor was Capital Financial Group Inc. Presenting sponsor was Glens Falls National Bank and Glen Street Associates was the Photo sponsor.