Archive: Around Town

Two local groups were recognized by the Tompkins County Legislature, Feb. 7, for their efforts growing the local economy through tourism. The Turkey Shoot Lacrosse Tournament and Ithaca College both received the county’s Tourism Partner Award for their efforts bringing large groups of overnight visitors to Tompkins County.

Turkey Shoot, an annual lacrosse tournament, hosted 1,500 players and families from 121 teams over two weekends in November. Organizer Mark Wenham celebrated the event’s 20th anniversary in 2011.

Ithaca College won the award for bringing the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) to Ithaca last spring. The Ithaca College NCUR executive committee bid on the large national conference and successfully hosted the event, drawing 3,400 participants over four days and generating more than 2,500 room-nights in lodging.

Both events also resulted in thousands of dollars spent in shops, restaurants and other businesses. Legislator Pam Mackesey praised the groups and presented both with framed certificates.

“Groups like the Turkey Shoot Lacrosse Tournament and the NCUR Executive Committee at Ithaca College set out to host great events, and in the process, provide a boost to our local economy,” Mackesey said. “Many businesses prosper due to their efforts. Turkey Shoot and NCUR are fine examples of what it means to be a Tourism Partner.”

Mackesey also issued a “call to action” for residents to invite their own associations, groups and fraternal organizations to meet in Tompkins County.

The Tompkins Tourism Partner Award is presented twice yearly to individuals and organizations who are not professional meeting or event planners but who devote time and effort to bring groups to Tompkins County that result in more than 400 room-nights in local lodging.

Statler Hotel General Manager and Strategic Tourism Planning Board (STPB) member Richard Adie first proposed the award after observing two local residents plan and execute the 100th Anniversary Alpha Phi Alpha Convention in 2005. The award was created by the STPB shortly after.

“I recognized that there was a significant financial impact to the community as a result of their work,” Adie said. “Neither was a professional meeting planner—but they both felt enough pride in their community to want to share it with their colleagues—despite the extra work. These individuals were making a positive impact on the local tax base and employment, and there was no mechanism in place to thank them. With this award, we’re rectifying that situation.”

Meetings, conferences and events generate direct benefits for taxpayers. Tax revenue collected from these activities fund new and existing programs, and reduce the overall tax burden on county residents.

“Conferences and athletic tournaments are key elements of our tourism economy.” said Fred Bonn, Director of the Ithaca /Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau.  “By bringing large groups into town for extended periods, these events deliver economic benefits to everyone--innkeepers, restaurateurs, retailers and county residents.”

Bonn cited a Tompkins County report by Chmura Economics that shows an event drawing 300 overnight visitors for two nights generates $201,000 in local economic impact and $8,040 in local sales tax.  A separate New York State report compiled by Tourism Economics estimates that tourism had an economic impact of $157 million in Tompkins County, generated roughly $11.2 million in local taxes and employed approximately 3,375 people in 2010.

“Too often, people go out of their way to do something special, but it is rarely recognized by the community,” said Strategic Tourism Planning Board Chair David Sparrow. “The county Tourism Board, through this award, wants to show our appreciation to those people who made an extraordinary effort to bring people from out-of-town to see our lovely community and enjoy its resources. We greatly appreciate these people and their hard work because it helps the county's economy and, in turn, improves our quality of life”.

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