NYPA’s Niagara Power Vista & Discover Niagara Shuttle recognized by New York State Tourism Industry Association for 2017 Excellence in Tourism Economic Development Award

For Immediate Release
November 1, 2017
Contact:  Jill Delaney
888-698-2970, jill@nystia.org

Niagara Power Vista & Discover Niagara Shuttle recognized for tourism economic development.

Watkins Glen, NY - The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) recognized individuals and organizations for their high level of excellence and accomplishments in New York State’s tourism industry at the 2017 Tourism Excellence Awards Dinner, held Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the Glen Club of the Watkins Glen International. 

The New York Power Authority was recognized with the award for excellence in tourism economic development for its Niagara Power Vista and its support of the Discover Niagara Shuttle. Lou Paonessa, Community Affairs Director for the New York Power Authority Niagara Power Project accepted the award during the presentation ceremonies.

The award for excellence in tourism economic development recognizes individuals, communities or organizations that have fostered economic development or enhanced a destination as a result of revitalizing a downtown, adaptive re-use of a historic structure to be used as a visitor center, museum, restaurant or lodging facility, or encouraged development of a tourism attraction.

Under the leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York Power Authority has provided more than 25 million dollars toward the restoration of Niagara Falls State Park and was the largest contributor to an international effort to install new LED lighting on the falls themselves. Still, more was needed to get visitors out of the Park and spending in the local municipalities.

The region has a long history of scientific innovation. With leading luminaries like Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, Niagara became the laboratory for the creation and transmission of hydroelectricity. NYPA has tapped into that history and turned its Power Vista visitor center into a world-class attraction to extend visitor stay. The state-of-the-art interactive exhibits not only describe the region’s power history, but they make science fun and encourage students to pursue STEM-related careers. The center also demonstrates how low-cost electricity makes New York State a great place to do business.

If those weren’t already award-winning endeavors, NYPA also supports a trolley that takes visitors from the State Park to its facility and other tourist attractions along a Heritage Trail in an environmentally responsible manner. 

“The New York Power Authority is honored to be recognized as a valued contributor to tourism and economic development in New York State,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones.  “When we embarked on the renovation of the Niagara Power Project’s admission-free Power Vista in 2015, our motto, was ‘Go Big or Go Home’.  With the addition of easier access provided by the new Discovery Shuttle, the results exceeded our expectations.  We gratefully acknowledge the success of these efforts, as demonstrated by both this great award and the number of visitors coming through our doors.”

The winning individuals and organizations of NYSTIA’s 2017 Tourism Excellence Awards were nominated by their peers and reviewed by NYSTIA’s awards committee. The recipients were selected based on demonstrated commitment, leadership, and accomplishment in travel and tourism.

Jill Delaney, NYSTIA President and CEO states, “As the fourth largest employer in the State of New York, the tourism industry continues to grow and evolve, leading to ever more impressive accomplishments. We are honored to have a night set aside to recognize the successes of our industry innovators with the goal of inspiring creativity and passion throughout New York State’s tourism industry.”

2017 recipients were presented with trophies, sponsored by AAA Magazines, during the NYSTIA Tourism Excellence Awards Dinner. Meredith Travel Marketing provided a reception for the honorees and attendees, followed by the dinner, hosted by Advance Media New York.

Listed below are the 2017 NYSTIA Tourism Excellence Awards winners:

Excellence in Tourism Marketing

Private Sector Effort

Animal Adventure Park, Harpursville, NY

“April the Giraffe” Multi-Media Marketing Campaign

 

Excellence in Tourism Marketing

Statewide Effort

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

New York State Parks Social Media Program

 

Excellence in Tourism Marketing

Regional Effort

Visit Buffalo Niagara, Buffalo, NY

Buffalo Niagara Garden Tourism Initiative

Excellence in Tourism Marketing

County Effort

Sullivan County Visitors Association, Ferndale, NY

“Sullivan Catskills - Experience the Good Life” Multi-Media Campaign

 

Cultural Heritage Award – Small Budget Entity

Wayne County Office of Tourism, Lyons, NY

Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour

 

Cultural Heritage Award – Large Budget Entity

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown, NY

PASTIME: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's Online Collection

 

Visitor Services Award

Visit Buffalo Niagara, Buffalo, NY

Visit Buffalo Niagara University

 

Excellence in Leadership

Kelly Rapone, Tourism Director

Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Batavia, NY

Excellence in Tourism Economic Development

New York Power Authority Niagara Power Project, Lewiston, NY

Niagara Power Vista & Discover Niagara Shuttle

Partner in Tourism – Business or Association

OnKeuka!

Mary Jo Savino, Operator, Corning, NY

 

Partner in Tourism – Individual

Harvey Botzman, Rochester, NY

New York Bicycling Coalition

 

Excellence in Service

For Service as NYSTIA Board Treasurer 2014-2017

Andrew Nixon, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau

The New York State Tourism Industry Association (www.nystia.org) is a statewide membership based organization for travel and tourism related businesses. NYSTIA is a 501c6, New York State not-for-profit Corporation engaged in the business of advocacy, leadership, marketing and professional development.  

Photo: Left to Right: Jill Delaney, NYSTIA President & CEO; Lou Paonessa, New York Power Authority; Valerie Knoblauch, NYSTIA Board Chairperson. 

Photo credit: Clark CSM Marketing Communications