Most locals don't realize that Cayuga County is an international visitor destination. This year the Tourism Office put up a large map of the U.S., Mexico and Canada and we asked our visitors to put a pin on the map to show us their hometown. What we didn't realize was that we really needed a world map to accommodate everyone. We now put have flags denoting all the countries that our visitors call home and right now we have 24 international flags, including the United Kingdom, Israel, Switzerland and even Japan! The best part about these international visitors is that they love Cayuga County. We should all be proud!

• A new multi-county 'On the Water Guide' is nearing completion and will highlight things to do in, on and around the water in Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Oswego and Onondaga Counties. This new brochure will be the first multi-county water guide to the Finger Lakes and Central New York Region and will be ready for distribution during the 2012 show season.


• The 2012 Cayuga County Travel Guide is already well underway with updated information, itineraries and, and a new section on 'farm-to-table' culinary experiences. We are very excited that the new cover photograph overlooking Cayuga Lake was shot by Cayuga County's own Jacci Conderacci. If you know of any new tourism related businesses or services in your community, please let us know right away so we can include them in the new guide. 65,000 guides will be printed and distributed at information centers, travel shows and in response to inquiries.

The recent marketing study conducted by Young Strategies recommends promoting packages to drive Sunday occupancy as well as weekday leisure packages. In order to do this we need packages/deals from our lodging properties to promote. Midweek deals could include a 'free' meal at a popular restaurant, a room rate that includes tickets to the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Renaissance Festival or other popular attractions or simply a great rate. Sunday night stay incentives could include a free room upgrade, a Sunday night 'special saver rate' or 'stay Friday and Saturday, get Sunday night free' offer. Check out the 'Sunday Savers' on tourcayuga.com and email your special offers to maureen@tourcayuga.com so we can post them on our web site and use them in future promotions.

We are once again collaborating with regional partners to promote our area to visitors from Ontario, Canada. The $120,000 consumer campaign includes newspaper inserts, the www.AWelcomeSurprise.com website, radio advertising, hosted exhibits at popular events, social media, and public relations. We hope these efforts bring more Canadians through your doors this fall.

The Cayuga County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors meets monthly in various locations around the county so they can be familiar with our tourism assets. This year the board met in Fair Haven, Auburn, Weedsport, Moravia and Aurora. If you would like to host a board meeting in 2012, please contact Barb Murdoch in our office (255-1658) to coordinate the details. The board meets the first Tuesday of each month from 8:30 -9:30 a.m. and seating is needed for 23 people.

The New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Network & the Erie Canalway Cultural Heritage Tourism Network are sponsoring a cultural heritage workshop on Tuesday, November 1st at the Rochester Plaza Hotel from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The cost is $35 and includes lunch breaks and workshop materials. Learn how to create compelling programs and events and ways to market on a shoestring budget. Call 315-521-3985 to reserve your space, as reservations are limited. For those interested in carpooling to the workshop, contact Barb Murdoch, 255-1658.

• The Apple Station in Cayuga is not only a great place to pick and buy apples but it is also Cayuga County's newest winery featuring apple, grape and blended fruit wines.


• Auburn's historic and cultural sites and downtown Auburn businesses are holding 'First Friday' events the first Friday of every month from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy exhibits, free tours, complimentary refreshments and entertainment, all for free! November 4th is the next first Friday event. Don't miss it!