[img:justinspeechs.jpg]LAKE PLACID, ADIRONDACKS USA - Three organizations took home the first-ever Destination Awards on Tuesday as the Board of Directors of the Lake Placid CVB/Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (LPCVB/ROOST) announced the recipients at a ceremony at the Conference Center at Lake Placid. 

The awards were presented by Justin Smith, Chair of the LPCVB/ROOST board of directors. "As the Destination Marketing Organization for Essex County, we are pleased to showcase the people and organizations who have made the greatest contributions toward achieving a sustainable tourism economy for our region," he said during the event. "I'm honored to celebrate the efforts of our industry's best."Three awards were presented, all for efforts undertaken during the period January 2010 through May 2011.

The first presentation was the 2010 Destination Product Award, which is given to the group or individual who has, through capital investment or public coordination, moved forward with a project that positively affects the tourism-related infrastructure in Essex County. The award was presented to the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) for securing the funding, facilitating the design and building the Conference Center at Lake Placid.

"This was an easy winner to select," said Smith during the presentation. "Perhaps the most significant arrow that we have in our quiver is our own State Authority. Through their efforts, we're starting off in the black: the facility is paid for with funds set aside through ORDA by Empire State Development and by Governor Pataki before he left office, so the community will have the newest, most state-of-the-art facility, with absolutely no debt load."

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The 2010 Tourism Marketing Award was given to a group that distinguished itself for developing a cooperative marketing program, beginning with a website and printed collateral, to promote the collection of unique attractions throughout the region. The award was presented to the Adirondack Attractions group, which includes Ausable Chasm, Santa's Workshop, Whiteface Mountain, High Falls Gorge, The Wild Center, Natural Stone Bridge and Caves. 

"In the 50's, 60's and 70's, before there was an Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, it was the Adirondack Attractions who were responsible for cooperatively marketing the Adirondacks.", said Smith. "The Adirondack Attractions group has banded together to recreate this model, and to develop a cooperative regional campaign that plays on their collective strengths."

The evening wrapped up with the Tourism Advocate Award, which is given to a group or individual who is directly responsible for bringing a large group or event to the area resulting in a significant economic impact to the county. The 2010 award recipient was Lake Placid Lacrosse, accepted by founder George Leveille and his son, Kevin Leveille. Lake Placid Lacrosse began in 1990 with 7 teams and 14 games, and has grown into a weeklong annual event that hosts over 180 teams.

"George and his group ha

[img:lplax1.jpg]ve facilitated infrastructure expansion to 13 fields, and underscore the value of events to the region," said Smith. "Lake Placid Lacrosse is a tremendous example of outstanding vision and hard work, ensuring Lake Placid's place as a premiere destination for the fastest growing sport in the U.S."

The Ceremony began with an overview of 2010 highlights in tourism promotion by James McKenna, President of the LPCVB/ROOST. He reported the findings of the 2010 Leisure Travel Information Study, and the many projects undertaken by the LPCVB/ROOST staff during 2010, including the launch of four new websites, including lakeplacid.com, the integration of social media and the development of a coalition to ensure the future of the Empire State Winter Games.

The 2010 Destination Award nominees were submitted by the staff and board of directors of the LPCVB/ROOST, and the winners were selected by the board chair. Nominees for the 2011 Destination Awards will be solicited from Essex County's marketing partners in advance of next year's event, and voted upon by the LPCVB/ROOST Board of Directors.

For more information about the Lake Placid CVB/Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, including links to their annual reports and the Leisure Travel Information Study results for the past eight years, visit their corporate website at www.roostadk.com.

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The Lake Placid CVB/Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the accredited destination marketing organization responsible for promoting the Schroon Lake, Lake Champlain, Whiteface, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid regions to the traveling public via traditional marketing, communications, and by harnessing the power of electronic media. They operate a main office in Lake Placid and one in Crown Point.