Category Archives: Business News

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.

SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Empire State have forged an agreement to open a seamless new pathway for business students to earn a graduate degree.

The articulation agreement allows qualified Bachelor of Business Administration students at SUNY Cobleskill to transfer smoothly into the Master of Business Administration in business management program at SUNY Empire.

The agreement enables SUNY Cobleskill BBA students to cross-register for up to nine credits of SUNY Empire MBA coursework, and establishes a framework for developing a combined BBA-MBA program registered jointly by both institutions.

“SUNY Cobleskill is dedicated to creating learning pathways tailored to continuous and suitable student progress from secondary school through to their desired goals,” said Marion Terenzio, its president. “This new partnership with SUNY Empire State College gives our business students a valuable opportunity to continue seamlessly to a graduate degree program.”

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) reported that the recently completed summer meet at Saratoga Race Course set a record for all-sources handle with $676.7 million being wagered during the 40-day meet.

That surpassed the record of $648.3 million wagered in 2015. This year’s handle was up 4.5 percent over last year’s figure of $647.3 million, NYRA officials said.

On-track handle was $157 million, just missing the record $157.6 million wagered in 2015, but up 3.4 percent from last year’s figure of $151.8 million, NYRA said.

Total attendance, or paid admissions, for the summer was 1,117,838, just off the record of 1,123,647 set in 2016, officials said.

The Adirondack Thunder has announced its promotional schedule for the 2017-18 season.

The Thunder’s 2017-18 home schedule, which consists of 36 home games, will begin on Saturday, Oct. 14, as the Thunder take on the Brampton Beast at Cool Insuring Arena at 7 p.m.

Opening Night will feature a magnet schedule giveaway as well as an outdoor party on the plaza to kick off the Thunder’s third season, the first that the Thunder will open at home.

The season will feature additional giveaways, including a Capital Region Hockey poster (Oct. 20), a Bill Dineen magnet banner (Dec. 9), a Christmas ornament (Dec. 23), a 2017-18 team poster, presented by Glens Falls Printing (Jan. 27), a youth jersey, presented by Glens Falls Hospital (Feb. 24) and a green Thunder T-Shirt (March 17).

“We’re excited to introduce our first promotional schedule as new owners of the Adirondack Thunder that features new themes, giveaways and some other special events,” Adirondack Thunder President Jeff Mead said. “We’re especially thrilled to honor the legendary Bill Dineen with a night of his own as he rightfully takes his place in the rafters of Cool Insuring Arena. Bill has contributed so much to our area and has earned the honor of being only the second individual to have his name in the rafters.”

Giveaway sponsors and additional giveaway nights will be announced closer to the season, team officials said.

The colorful and multi-themed hot air balloons will take to the skies again in the Glens Falls/Lake George area when the Adirondack Balloon Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 21-24.

It will be the 45th annual event.

It kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Crandall Park in Glens Falls. Events continue through the weekend at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury.

Some of the unusual balloons will include Owlbert Einstein, Scortch the Dragon, Smiley the Scarecrow and Pokey the Turtle. An American Flag balloon piloted by Barry Delibero will appear for the first time at the festival. It is 70 feet tall and 78 feet wide, organizers said.

Scortch the Dragon also makes his first appearance, piloted by Keith Sproul. He stands 145 feet tall.

This year’s event has band performances during the weekend by the Master Cylinders, North and South Dakotas, Buckeye Rooster, the Old Main and Across the Pond.