Explore New York City and beyond at your next meeting

By Kate Zaliznock

Whether enjoying four-season adventures in Rochester, the blended urban and beach feel of Long Island, the lively arts scene of Sullivan Catskills or any other corner of New York State, the options for meetings are practically limitless. While New York City is undoubtedly one of the best meeting locations in the world, many other options can often be overlooked thanks to the Big Apple’s international notoriety.

Discover Long Island

Doris Martinez-Oronoz, Director of Sales & Sports

doris@discoverlongisland.com | Discoverlongisland.com

New York City Tourism

Jerry Cito, Executive Vice President, Convention Development

conventionsales@nyctourism.com | nyctourism.com

Destination Niagara USA

Reanna Darone, Director of Convention Sales

rdarone@niagarafallsusa.com | niagarafallsusa.com

Sullivan Catskills

Lori Solomon, Vice President of Trade & Experiences

ljs@scva.net | Sullivancatskills.com

Visit Rochester

Wendy O’Duffy, Vice President of Sales

wendyo@visitrochester.com | visitrochester.com

 

5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love New York State

Diversity. Whether it be the stunning range of flora and fauna spread across the state, the melting pot of international cultures, the huge list of venues of all shapes and sizes for meeting profs to choose from or a number of other diverse elements, New York State has something for everyone.

Endless Activities. No matter the season, there will never be a shortage of unforgettable experiences for your attendees, whether it be at a venue, outdoors or off site.

Accessibility. Meeting profs don’t have to choose remote locations to access serene nature. Options like Lake Placid and Westchester County provide a wealth of opportunity for eco-bliss.

Wow Factor. New York State is home to jaw-dropping vistas, incredible cultural experiences, internationally renowned cuisine and more. Meeting profs can rest assured knowing their event attendees will leave impressed.

Cutting-Edge Offerings. Many venues in the state are outfitted with top-tier tech, making your next meeting run seamlessly thanks to the latest automation and AV equipment.

 

5 Places to Meet

Otesaga Resort Hotel: This luxurious country-house-style hotel in Cooperstown comes with stunning landscapes, including beautiful lakefront views.

30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 132 guest rooms.

Niagara Falls USA Convention Center facade

Niagara Falls USA Convention Center: Located in the heart of downtown Niagara Falls, NY, this state-of-the-art venue is within walking distance of the most famous waterfall in the world (and numerous other bucket-list activities).

116,000 sq. ft. meeting space.

Convene New York Hudson Yards meeting room

Convene New York Hudson Yards: An experiential event destination, this venue is perched atop the iconic 30 Hudson Yards skyscraper in Manhattan.

10 event spaces with a combined 72,000 sq. ft.

Turning Stone golf course

Turning Stone Resort Casino: Located in Verona, this venue is the state’s most awarded four-season resort and offers a wide range of pricing tiers for any meeting needs.

125,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 788 guest rooms.

Albany Capital Center meeting room
Albany Capital Center: Directly connected to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, The Egg Performing Arts Center and the MVP Arena, the Albany Capital Complex is the largest meeting space in Upstate New York.

70,350 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Fun Fact

Adirondack Park, located in Upstate New York, is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Glacier parks combined. Over 70,000 miles of rivers and streams run throughout the state, and the oldest known forest in the world is located in Gilboa, still growing after 380 million years and counting.

 

 

5 Unforgettable Incentive Activities

Wonder Wheel at Coney Island in New York
Wonder Wheel at Coney Island, New York

Finger Lakes Region: There is a wealth of activity options in the Finger Lakes Region, from boating, hiking and biking, to family-friendly attractions, hot air ballooning and—for the brave of heart—a haunted history tour.

Spa Diane Barrière: Ranked among the top spas in all of New York City, Spa Diane Barrière is located in the heart of Fouquet’s New York and is partnered with Biologique Recherche, the internationally renowned skincare research and development brand. Services include a gemstone facial with gold, diamonds and rose quartz.

Family in New York Tours: If your event is based in New York City and you’re in search of a getaway for your attendees, look no further than Family in New York Tours, which transports guests across a number of attractions during their Long Island wine tour. Stops include Southampton, Sag Harbor, Shelter Island and the North Fork of Long Island, which is the third largest wine making region in North America.

Shenendoah Golf Club at Turning Stone: Located in Verona, Shenendoah Golf Club has been ranked the number one golf course in the state by NBC Sports. Built to comply with Audubon International standards for environmental protection and preservation, the beautiful landscape is the perfect setting to practice your swing.

Coney Island: This one is a can’t-miss classic and a favorite of both locals and visitors. Offer your attendees a healthy dose of nostalgia as they enjoy theme park rides, live entertainment, boardwalk games and a mandatory stop at Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand.

 

5 Places to Eat

Pasta dish at Gaskins, Germantown, New York

While New York City is an international foodie destination, it’s not the only place where you can experience some of the best dishes in the world. Options like The DeBruce in Livingston Manor, a 2024 James Beard Foundation restaurant, or The Laundrette in Narrowsburg, a European-style pizzeria, are great options for elevated dining. Butterfield in Stone Ridge offers a locally sourced, high-quality menu as well as top-tier cocktails and wines.

Gaskins in Germantown is a great choice for those with vegan, gluten-free or otherwise restricted diets, as their menu offers a wide range of dishes made with the freshest ingredients. The legendary Le Bernardin in New York City is a bucket-list choice for many foodies, as it has been ranked a four-star restaurant by the New York Times for over three decades (and counting).

This article appears in the November 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.