Front-line hospitality staff (i.e. front desk, box office, docents, wine tasting room and wait staff) who serve our visitors every day can recommend places to go and things to do much better when they experience them first hand. With this in mind, we invite you to a FREE familiarization tour of the Auburn area on Thursday, May 8th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year's tour includes Emerson Park, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Ward O'Hara Agricultural Museum, The Center, and Auburn Public Theater. Lunch will be served at the historic Springside Inn where a "Tools for Tourism" session will help you learn more about the various services and information the Cayuga County Office of Tourism offers. For more details and to register, call the Tourism Office at 255-1658 by May 1st.

Please join us to celebrate National Tourism week, an annual salute to the travel and tourism industry in Cayuga County and throughout America on Thursday, May 15th at the Springside Inn. The luncheon will start at 12 Noon when Roger Mills, Chair of the Cayuga County Legislature, will declare May 10-18, 2008 National Tourism Week in Cayuga County. The highlight of the luncheon will be an update on the "Call to Action: Blueprint for our Region's Future" facilitated by Senator Michael F. Nozzolio. In addition, the 2008 Cayuga County Tourism Awards will be presented to recognize outstanding tourism contributions. Please join us to honor those that make tourism great in Cayuga County. Tickets are $25, with discounts for table reservations. Call 255-1658 by May 8th to register.

The 2008 Official Visitors Guide to Cayuga County is now available at the Cayuga County Office of Tourism. This year's guide has been completely redesigned with a new format, new photography, and added features. The guide focuses on what visitors like most about Cayuga County - lakes, scenery, wineries and charming villages, as well as activities such as shopping and dining. The guide is used to respond to visitor inquiries, to display at area information centers, and to distribute at numerous travel and tourism shows throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic. In addition, all tourism partners are encouraged to display the brochure at their place of business to help visitors find their way around the County. Please stop by the Tourism Office and pick up a supply.

Blogs and the art of writing one - blogging - have officially become part of our language and are being used more and more by travelers. Do you have some gems to share about Cayuga County? Perhaps the best place to see a sunset, or your favorite place to pick apples or where to buy that special Finger Lakes souvenir. Restaurants reviews and shopping experiences are pieces of information that almost every visitor wants. Visit www.fingerlakes.org/blog.html to see what folks are saying about the Finger Lakes Region, and then add your comments by e-mailing blogs@fingerlakes.org. Share your thoughts about the great things to see and do in Cayuga County!

The phrase "Lake Effect" is a common one to residents of Upstate New York. Typically it refers to snow produced in the winter when cold, artic winds move across warmer lake water. Cayuga County's new "Lake Effect" campaign turns this concept inside out, and emphasizes the positive physical and emotional benefits-the effects-that people experience by being in, on, or near the water. Key messages include rest and relaxation, water and lakeshore recreation and romance. "Lake Effect" ads will begin appearing this month in national print media, regional cable advertising and on-line, complemented by public relations activity in the Rochester, Buffalo and Toronto markets. "Lake Effect" ads will be shown in the Eastern Finger Lakes on Channel 10 and the Travel Channel starting in late May. Stay tuned for more...

The new "Teacups & Treasures" trail that winds through three scenic counties in the Finger Lakes - Cayuga, Steuben, and Ontario - opened with a kick-off event at The Center in Auburn on April 8th. The new trail helps visitors discover the authentic art, architecture and craftsmanship that help put names like Steuben, Tiffany and MacKenzie-Childs on the map. Registration to the "Teacups & Treasures" trail is FREE and each visitor will get to build a piece of art as they travel the trail. Visit www.ExploreNYArts.com for details.

Bonnie Scoville, who owns the Pleasant Beach Hotel in Fair Haven with her husband, 'H' Scoville, has been elected to the Cayuga County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors to represent the Fair Haven Area Chamber of Commerce and it's members. The Board looks forward to Bonnie's input and enthusiasm!

The NYS Division of Tourism will unveil the new I LOVE NY campaign under the theme "REIMAGINE" at this year's Governor's Tourism Conference being held May 14-16 in Lake George. All tourism attractions, accommodations, restaurants and other tourism businesses are invited to attend. Visit www.iloveny.com/gtc for the conference agenda and registration information.

• Congratulations to the Aurora Inn for receiving the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award! Only 3% of over 60,000 AAA-rated North American establishments earn the AAA Four Diamond designation.
• On May 3rd the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse will celebrate 50 years of bringing "Broadway to the Finger Lakes' by holding a gala event, "Merry-Go-Round and You: 50 Years Together." This one night only event includes a show that highlights the past and previews the future with a creative black tie affair to follow. Contact the Merry-Go-Round Box Office at 315-255-1785 for tickets and more information.