Cayuga County, along with twelve other counties in the Finger Lakes Vacation Region, has been awarded an $110,00 Regional Economic Development Council grant to promote 'The Great Outdoors.'   The marketing plan consists of an integrated program to include television advertising, digital marketing, a brochure and public relations program to promote our parks, trails, waterways, outdoor recreational activities and healthy living experiences.  

The need for a comprehensive wayfinding system in Cayuga County has been well documented by two marketing studies conducted for the Cayuga County Office of Tourism; the first by Randall Travel Marketing in 2007 and the second by Young Strategies in 2011. With the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival debuting last summer, a new hotel in downtown Auburn, as well as development plans for Auburn, Fair Haven, and the Village of Aurora, the need for better wayfinding has become more and more apparent.

We are happy to announce that the first phase of this much-needed project will begin at the end of January 2013. The project will create a comprehensive countywide informational and wayfinding system plan that includes general vehicular directional signs that connect tourism hubs (cities/towns/villages) in Cayuga County. It is not intended to include wayfinding within each community but it will provide fabrication and design details for communities that wish to link in with the countywide system. A big thanks goes to our community partners that are helping make this project a reality - the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce, Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Cayuga Economic Development Agency, Fred L. Emerson Foundation and the Cayuga County Legislature. Stay tuned for more details as the project progresses!

It's almost Valentine's day and we want to hear from our tourism partners about special Valentine's Day packages, deals, events or activities you may be planning so we can help you promote them. Please email your Valentine's Day packages or deals to Maureeen McEvers, maureen@tourcayuga.com.

Bird watching and birding is a booming international business opportunity that attracts low impact and high return visitors that boost rural tourism economies and support jobs in rural areas. Bird watching has become one of the world's leading recreational activities and we want to be sure to capture a piece of that business for Cayuga County!

If you are a bird watching enthusiast and knowledgeable of our local birdwatching opportunities, we need your help! This year we are planning to create tools to attract and assist birdwatchers and we need to know where the best bird watching spots in the county are and what resources will be most valuable to avid bird watchers. If you can help as a knowledgeable resource, we would love to hear from you. Contact Susan Marteney, nasusm@hotmail.com.

Meg Vanek, Executive Director of the Cayuga County Office of Tourism, has been elected to serve as the Vice President of the New York State Tourism Promotion Agencies (NYS TPA) Council for 2013-2014. The NYS TPA Council is a network of county tourism promotion agencies from throughout New York State. The Council is a membership organization that serves as a primary representative of New York State's tourism industry, providing cooperative advertising opportunities as well as acting as the lead agency for the State's motorcoach marketing efforts.

• Susan Marteney, co-owner of Tuxill House, is offering personalized guided group tours and small group outings in Auburn and Cayuga County. For details call Susan at 315-252-7141 or email nasusm@hotmail.com. 
• The Auburn YMCA is planning a 'Finger Lakes 12 U Baseball Tournament" to be held this July 18-21 at Emerson Park. The event could bring 600 visitors to town looking for lodging, dining, shopping and touring opportunities. To learn more contact Steve Komanecky, steve@auburnymca.com.