Each year, millions of dollars are spent in Westchester County's hotels and conference centers on meetings, conferences and conventions.

In a continuous effort to attract meetings into the area, the Westchester County Office of Tourism (OOT) recently attended the 26^th Annual ESSAE (Empire State Society of Association Executives) trade show at the Saratoga Convention Center in Saratoga Springs.

The OOT partnered with several hotels, including the Crowne Plaza White Plains; Doubletree Hotel Tarrytown; Renaissance Westchester in White Plains; Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown; and the Rye Town Hilton. 

The ESSAE Trade Show, held on June 21st, is an annual marketplace attended by approximately 250 meeting planners and executives from associations from across New York State.  Destinations from counties and cities throughout New York and surrounding states are represented through exhibit booth space. 

"We can't underestimate the importance of the meetings and conventions market," said Kim Sinistore, Deputy Director of the Westchester County Office of Tourism. "Meetings bring hundreds of business visitors to the county's hotels, who in turn spend money on hotel rooms, meals, and leisure activities."

The theme of the ESSAE show was "Expand Your Horizons - Reach for the Stars." Westchester County's exhibit expanded upon that theme by focusing on movie stars. The Oscar ceremonies were recreated, complete with a red carpet. The booth was decorated with life-size cut-outs of Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart, six-foot Oscar statues, and other movie-related props. Westchester County representatives wore tuxedos and gowns.   

"We wished to let meeting planners know that not only will they receive the 'star treatment' when holding a meeting or convention in Westchester County, but that their favorite film may have been shot in the city, town or village where their meeting is being held," added Sinistore.

Participation in the show is an annual cooperative marketing project, and registration fees and expenses are split among the six entities. The 2006 edition of the ESSAE Trade Show will be held next June in Saratoga.

As a follow-up to the ESSAE show, a Familiarization (FAM) Tour is planned for August 11 -13 for select meeting planners to visit Westchester to see the hotels and local attractions.

The Westchester County Office of Tourism, along with the hotel partners, will host approximately 10-12 planners at the Crowne Plaza and the Westchester Renaissance hotels, with off-site events held at the Hilton and Marriott.  The group will also visit Kykuit, MYOWine School of Winemaking, and Playland.