In May, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a $60 million campaign to increase state tourism, calling for special attention to Upstate New York.
“Some pieces are geared for individual destinations, while others will be used nationally to promote meetings in the state,” according to Gina Mintzer, director of sales for the Albany CVB.
Among the planned efforts is the creation of a New York State Sports and Special Events Commission charged with recruiting sporting and other events to New York State venues.
Though New York City is not a primary target for the campaign, Christopher Heywood, senior vice president of communications for NYC & Company, believes the city could see some benefit with an influx of groups throughout the state.
The city itself is unveiling several new hotels and other major projects. One of the biggest is the upcoming fall completion of a renovation of the Javits Center, including the debut of the second-largest green roof in the U.S.
“The renovation has been many years in the making,” Heywood says. “The Javits Center is coming back to be more competitive.”
Other news includes the July 4 reopening of the Statue of Liberty following closure after damage from last year’s Hurricane Sandy. Ellis Island still awaits a reopening date.
NYC & Company recently launched Neighborhood x Neighborhood, a campaign to encourage exploration in all five boroughs.
“There is also a trend toward borough hotel development,” Heywood says, with about 30 percent of development happening in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. “There is a lot of opportunity in those boroughs, especially for smaller meetings.”
The 60-room Bronx Opera House Hotel opened this summer, while in Queens, the Crowne Plaza JFK is slated to open this fall with 330 rooms. Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s InterContinental New York Barclay is adding meeting space.
As of summer 2013, there were 73 properties under construction across all five boroughs, representing 16,000 new rooms by 2016.
Openings in Manhattan this year include the Courtyard by Marriott Manhattan/Times Square West and Courtyard by Marriott Manhattan/Herald Square. The 487-room Hyatt Times Square New York will open in October with 8,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Paramount Hotel recently upgraded its 1920s property, offering new event spaces. The New York Palace renovated its Tower Rooms and 86 suites.
Outside the city, Long Island boasts a number of new spaces, including the 22-room Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton, featuring a one-acre farm and a studio for events.
In early July, the Palms Presidential Penthouse Suite debuted on Fire Island’s Ocean Beach, with space for up to 10 in four bedrooms.
Hilton Garden Inn Stony Brook recently debuted with 135 guest rooms and meeting space. Also new is the Homewood Suites Carle Place, with 4,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Hilton Long Island/Huntington recently underwent a $16 million renovation, including upgrades to its 26,000 square feet of meeting space.
New group spaces include The Space at Westbury, a theater with flexible space for meetings.
In the Catskills region, the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center recently completed a $40 million overhaul. Last year, The Sullivan debuted in Rock Hill and offers 70 guest rooms plus meeting space.
Albany is seeing growth, including the Carey Conference Center, located on a 100-acre country estate, which will be marketed for corporate retreats. It offers 10,000 square feet of meeting space and 54 guest rooms.
The new Hilton Albany was unveiled in May after a $14 million renovation. The 385-room hotel now offers more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space.
News from Buffalo includes a continuing $295 million development of its historic Canalside district, including an upcoming Courtyard by Marriot and a $170 million amateur hockey complex.
The city’s former Hotel Lafayette has been redeveloped into a mixed-use project, including the new 57-room Hotel @ The Lafayette. Also, the former Statler Hotel was redeveloped into an event venue, Statler City.
In the Niagara Falls region, the Sheraton At The Falls is finishing a renovation of its 391 guest rooms and suites. Also completing a renovation to its guest rooms is the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel.
In Saratoga, the Courtyard Saratoga Springs completed an expansion of its meeting space in May. The ballroom now spans 4,300 square feet.
Syracuse announced a new seven-story combined Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn, which opened this summer. The Marriott features 180 hotel guest rooms.
Near downtown Rochester, the 107-room Hilton Garden Inn Rochester/Pittsford recently debuted with four meeting rooms.
