The Bass Masters Elite Series Tournament will be held on Cayuga Lake August 21-24, 2014 with events happening in Union Springs and at the Fingerlakes Mall. 112 anglers and an estimated 30,000 visitors are expected during the four day event that are sure to generate significant economic activity in Cayuga County and the Finger Lakes region. The tournament team is gathering a list of deals and discounts that will be forwarded to the anglers prior to their arrival in Cayuga County. If you would like to offer a special deal such as 10% off in your restaurant or shop, a free glass of wine with dinner, etc. etc. please forward your offer to meg@tourcayuga.com by May 5, 2014. 

The Cayuga County Department of Planning & Economic Development is working with the Cayuga County Parks Commission and the Parks Department to update the 2001 Emerson Park Plan. A series of three Public Meetings are planned for individuals and agencies interested in the future of Emerson Park and opportunities to improve the park. All interested parties are encouraged to attend and participate in the meetings:

•  Wednesday, April 23, 2014, Emerson Park Pavilion, 7-9 p.m. ; 
•  Wednesday, June 11, 2014, Emerson Park Pavilion, 7-9 p.m. ; and
•  Wednesday, August 27, 2014, Emerson Park Pavilion, 7-9 p.m.  

The 2014 Empire State Tourism Conference will be held Monday-Wednesday, April 28-30 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Syracuse. The theme of this year's conference is 'Helping Build on Your Success" and features programs on niche marketing, customer service, social media and other pertinent tourism subjects plus an update from I Love NY. For more information and to register visit www.nystva.org/empire-state-tourism-conference.

The Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail will kick-off its second tasting tour on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 5-8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Auburn as part of Auburn's First Friday event. The kick-off will be a Farmer's Market style experience featuring tastings from many of the trail partners with Tasting Tour cards handed out. This year's Tasting Tour will include  23 stops including everything from u-picks to farm stands to farmers' markets and will run from May to November. The event is free and open to the public. Last year the Sweet Treat Trail was awarded a 'Signs of Sustainability" award by Sustainable Tompkins for advancing community sustainability. Help support our local producers by attending this fun and tasty event!

Last year the Cayuga County Office of Tourism served approximately 2500 walk-in visitors to our office from 40 different U.S. states and 17 different countries. In addition, we maintained a visitor information rack at Arby's/Tim Horton's in Weedsport where we distributed 4,214 brochures. The cost to feature your brochure in Weedsport is $50 for the entire year and the cost to distribute your brochure at the Tourism Office is free. Help us get your information into the hands of visitors at one or both locations by delivering 100 of your brochures and your check (if applicable) to the Tourism Office. Peak tourism season is just around the corner!   

• The Aurora Inn and E.B. Morgan House were awarded 2014 AAA Four Diamond Awards by AAA Western and Central New York during a ceremony held at the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua.  Only 14 hotels and one restaurant in the Club territory receive this prestigious award!  
• Eric Ridley, General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn is the recipient of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association's (NYSH&TA) 2014 Pinnacle Award. The Pinnacle award is given to the person who epitomizes continued contributions, and dedication to the industry.  In addition NYSH&TA named Eric "Outstanding General Manager of the Year" (under 150 rooms).  To top it off Eric received the American Hotel & Lodging Association's General Manager of the Year  (Small Property)!

The Seward House Museum invites artists and designers to participate in a fashion showcase that will allow the participants to design a garment based on one of the pieces worn by the women of the Seward family. The proposed project will allow designers to utilize the history and the artifacts of the Seward family to interpret the garments into whimsical modern recreations. For more information contact project coordinators, Natalie Stetson and John Kingsley.