Oneida County Tourism plans first annual legislative breakfast event

UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County Tourism (OCT), in partnership with the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSHTA), will host the first-ever Central New York Legislative Networking Breakfast on Friday, May 9. It will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton’s Crystal Ballroom at 102 Lafayette St. in Utica. “We’re proud to host the CNY Legislative Networking Breakfast for the first time, in partnership with NYSHTA,” OCT President Sarah Foster Calero (pictured) announced. “As the leading voice for lodging and tourism in New York state, NYSHTA plays a critical role in advocating for policies that support our industry. Bringing together regional partners like Oneida County government, Mohawk Valley EDGE, the Greater Utica Chamber, and The Genesis Group allows us to collectively engage with our elected officials and highlight the importance of tourism as an economic driver across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.” The inaugural event will bring together tourism, hospitality, business, and government leaders from across the region to engage in open dialogue with local and state leaders. Attendees will hear about legislative issues directly affecting the industry and the broader regional economy. Topics on the agenda include short-term rental legislation, ADA website compliance, tourism-promotion matching grants, and hotel and resort fees. The event is open to all partners in the tourism, hospitality, and business community including hotels, attractions, event organizers, and restaurants. The cost is $35 for members of any of the partnering organizations, or $50 for non-members. More information, including registration, is available on the NYSHTA website.