Cuomo touts success of 2019 ADK Oktoberfest
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. >> Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the success of the 2019 I LOVE NY Adirondack Oktoberfest, promoting the world-class tourism destinations, attractions and recreational opportunities in Upstate New York.
This year’s Oktoberfest was the 10th event hosted by the Governor in the Adirondacks, showcasing the attractions, excitement, heritage and natural beauty of the region that welcomes visitors from around the world.
“The Adirondacks are one of New York’s crown jewels, and we are investing heavily in the region with new improvements for an enhanced tourism experience,” Governor Cuomo said. “The success of this year’s Oktoberfest events shows how the Adirondacks are becoming a world-class destination for travel, sports and relaxation for visitors from around the world.”
The 2019 I LOVE NY Adirondack Oktoberfest welcomed more than 450 guests, including Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, state and local officials, and tourism industry leaders to Essex and Franklin Counties for a day of outdoor activities that showcase the region.
Events included a 40-mile motorcycle ride through picturesque Adirondack communities; a competitive mountain bike biathlon at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; fishing in the beautiful Second Pond in the Lower Saranac Lake; a two-mile hike at scenic Mount Jo; nine holes of golf at Craig Wood Golf & Country Club in North Elba; touring the 1980 Winter Olympic Game sites; kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding on Mirror Lake; and high-speed gondola rides to the peak of Little Whiteface as part of the family-friendly fun and games at the Whiteface Mountain Adventure Zone.
Last year, New York welcomed a record 252.7 million visitors who spent $71.8 billion, generating a total economic impact of more than $100 billion for the fifth straight year. Tourism remains the state’s third largest employer, supporting 957,800 jobs annually.
Last year, 12.6 million people visited the Adirondack region - 251,000 visitors more than in 2017 - generating nearly $1.5 billion in direct visitor spending. This represents a nearly 5% spending increase over the previous year, and a 30% increase since 2011. Tourism supports over 21,000 jobs in the region, and regional tourism generated more than $182 million in State and local taxes.
Historic Investment in ORDA Capital Projects
Cuomo committed nearly $240 million in funding to support the state’s Olympic Regional Development Authority properties. These unprecedented investments in capital projects are improving the infrastructure of ORDA facilities to ensure they can continue to attract and support large-scale, global events, while transforming these areas facilities into year-round attractions.
Following today’s event, Governor Cuomo unveiled new renderings for three projects that will encourage greater visitation and regional economic growth:
Mt. Van Hoevenberg Base Lodge (see pdf attached online) Work continues on the complex’s new 30,000-square-foot, three-story base lodge. Once completed in 2021, it will serve as the centerpiece to an incredible guest experience, with a welcome center, retail stores including a mountain bike shop, food services and ticket offices. It will also house a state-ofthe-art training facility for the United States bobsled and skeleton teams.
First-of-its-kind Mt. Van Hoevenberg Mountain Coaster
Installation of the mountain coaster begins this fall with a projected opening in November 2020. The first-of-its-kind coaster follows the curves and
straightaways of the 1932 and 1980 Olympic bobsled track. Mountain coasters do not have a motor and are propelled by gravity, and riders are able to control their speed with a brake system. The coasters run on tubular rails designed so that riders cannot exceed speeds of 25 miles per hour.
Olympic Jumping Complex Ziplines
Scheduled to open next summer, visitors to the Olympic Jumping Complex will have the opportunity to soar down one of four new ziplines, starting at the 40foot tower. Designed for all levels of adventurers, the ziplines will deliver the thrill of an Olympic ski jump.
Olympic Jumping Complex Gondola and Frost Rails
The Governor also announced that construction of the new eight-person, ADA-compliant gondola is expected to be complete in December. The gondola will carry athletes, coaches, officials, equipment and visitors from the complex’s base lodge to the 90 and 120-meter ski jump towers. From there, they will have access to the 120-meter ski jumping tower’s newly-renovated glass-enclosed elevator, delivering breathtaking panoramic views of the Adirondack High Peaks and surrounding wilderness.
Also, new frost rails with LED lighting have been installed on the 90 and 120-meter ski jumps, ensuring a consistent and reliable jumping surface regardless of changing weather conditions.
Lake Placid Olympic Center Reconstruction and Modernization
Cuomo announced architectural and schematic designs are being developed for the modernization and reconstruction of the historic Olympic Center and speed skating oval. These are the first major upgrades to these facilities since before the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Potential projects include expanding USA Rink to Olympic size, and adding retractable seating and new hospitality rooms; new hospitality suites and increased concession access at Herb Brooks Arena; locker room improvements for USA Rink, 1932 Arena and Herb Brooks Arena; expanded Lake Placid Olympic Museum and retail shop; and a new food and beverage facility with an open-air viewing deck overlooking the Olympic speed skating oval.
Additionally, the Olympic speed skating oval plans include a full oval replacement with expanded refrigeration. A new multi-level parking garage, behind the USA Rink, is also being considered.
2023 World University Games
The Governor formally announced that New York State will welcome the World University Games to Lake Placid on January 1223, 2023. The World University Games, organized by the International University Sports Federation, is an international sports and cultural event staged every two years in a different city.
The 11-day competition is the second-largest multisport event in the world right after the Olympics and draws more 2,400 student-athletes together to compete in various sports and events including alpine, freestyle and cross-country skiing, biathlon, speed skating, curling, figure skating, hockey, short track speed skating and snowboarding.
In support of the 2023 World University Games, the Governor issued Executive Order 185 directing the development of the New York State World University Games Commission, which would be responsible for providing oversight and coordination of all efforts of State government and working with the World University Games organizing committee, the Adirondack Sports Council. The Commission recently held its inaugural meeting and is beginning the planning efforts.
I LOVE NY Global Digital Campaign
Lake Placid holds the distinction as America’s only two-time host of the Winter Olympic Games and helped to build and sustain the Adirondack region’s reputation as a sports mecca. The 2023 World University Games are an opportunity to showcase the region as a premier location for high performance athletics.
To support that mission, Governor Cuomo announced that I LOVE NY will establish a two-year, $1 million global digital campaign aimed at athletes around the world, highlighting the Adirondacks as home to both natural and purpose-built attractions for high performance outdoor recreation. The Campaign will focus on seasonal and year-round activities, beginning this winter and extending through 2021.
Governor’s Adirondack Oktoberfest Best in Brew
Following the events, guests enjoyed a Taste NY Oktoberfest reception at Whiteface Mountain, featuring music, local foods and a New York State craft beer competition. Fifteen New York State breweries competed, offering over 30 different beers. Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, located in Lake Placid, took home the title as the Governor’s Adirondack Oktoberfest Best in Brew. The brewery will be offering 12 taps at the 2020 Great New York State Fair to showcase their beers, along with two taps at Whiteface Mountain and one tap at the Executive Mansion for the next year.
Empire State Trail Breweries Passport
In conjunction with the craft beer competition, Cuomo launched the Empire State Trail Breweries Passport, designed to promote craft beer and the 750mile Empire State Trail.
Thanks to a partnership with the New York State Canal Corporation, the New York State Brewers Association app will allow users who visit craft breweries along the trail to checkin and earn points on their passport. Visitors can earn Empire State Trail branded tshirts, glasses, growlers and tickets to Brewers Association festivals across the state.
More than 200 breweries are located within 10 miles of the Empire State Trail, projected to be the longest multi-use trail in the nation when completed next year.
Additionally, the Governor announced that the number of craft beverage manufacturers holding farm licenses have grown by over 500 since the State’s first ever Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cider Summit in 2012. Today, there are 792 farm manufacturers operating throughout New York, up from 282 licenses in 2012, an increase of over 180%.