Assemblyman Gary Finch made a formal presentation of a $2500 grant to the Cayuga County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors for programming and outreach during the Board's annual familiarization tour, this year held on the Finger Lakes Scenic Railway.  The grant will help pay for the 'Prizes and Surprises' Canadian promotion campaign launched in partnership with VisitRochester that includes radio commercials, a web site, newspaper inserts, press releases and distribution of our brochures at various festivals and events in the Ontario region of Canada.

The Finger Lakes were voted #1 Top Lakeside Retreat by Shermans Travel Editorial Staff in 2009.  Shermans Travel is a leading publisher of top travel deals and destination advice.  Be sure to take advantage of this ranking by using it in your promotional tools, i.e. websites, brochures, ads, etc. 

Our new booklet, 'Fun Facts about Cayuga County' is hot off the press and ready to be placed in our local hotel and B&B guest rooms.  The booklet provides a sampling of history and trivia about Cayuga County in a fun format.  The booklet was produced in response to a need for more in-room information to encourage guests to explore our county and make repeat visits.  Thanks go to our county historians for helping to collect the interesting historic facts that make Cayuga County such an amazing place to visit. Hoteliers, innkeepers and B&B owners, stop in the Tourism Office to get a supply.

Auburn's Historic & Cultural Sites Commission has launched a campaign to help create a new brand for Auburn, entitled:  History's Hometown.  The City of Auburn's Historic & Cultural Sites Commission and the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District invite you to join them for a free presentation to learn more about the new brand and learn how your organization can take part in this exciting initiative.  The presentation will be held Wednesday, October 21st, 10:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Auburn.  Please RSVP by October 19th to Jesse Kline at jesse@tourcayuga.com or 315.255.1658.

The Cayuga County Office of Tourism will present a tourism update to the Cayuga County Legislature at 10:00 a.m. on October 27th in Legislative Chambers on the 6th Floor of the County Office Building.  You are encouraged to come and support our great tourism industry!

Join us for our online Social Networking Workshop to be held Wednesday, October 28, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Willard Memorial Chapel.  Learn how to enhance your presence on the Internet through blogs, web sites, e-mail newsletters, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other online outlets that can be used for online marketing,  The workshop will be led by Julia Reich of Julia Reich Designs, the recipient of the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce 2009 Small Business Leader of the Year Award.  The cost is $17 and includes a box lunch. To register call the Tourism Office, 315.255.1658 by October 19th. 

The Cayuga County Office of Tourism will be participating in the 'Market Cayuga' business expo on Thursday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Auburn.  Stop by our new booth and see our latest promotional tools.  Also, enter a drawing to win some of our fabulous Finger Lakes wine.

• While attending the US Travel Association ESTO (Educational Seminars for Tourism Organizations) Conference, executive director Meg Vanek and other NYS delegates accepted the 2008 Brand Marketing Award on behalf of I Love NY for their Short Film competition aimed at celebrating and promoting the Empire State. 
  
  
  
• Peter Wisbey will be stepping down after nine years as the Seward House Museum director to spend more time with his family and pursue career opportunities closer to his home in Rochester. We wish him well and thank him for all he has done for the Seward House Museum and Cayuga County.
  
  
  
• Dawn Shulz, co-owner with her husband Marc, of Bistro One and Cascade Grill was elected to the Cayuga County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors at their October 6th meeting in Fair Haven.
  
  
  
• Church and Synagogue listings can now be found under 'Travel Resources' on TourCayuga.com.

• Long Point Winery has opened their new deli 'Amelia's,' serving lunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
  
  
• The Cross Lake Inn & Marina, overlooking beautiful Cross Lake is now open at 81 Jordan Road, Fire Lane # 18, Cato.