LAKE PLACID — The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism has received two awards from the New York State Tourism Industry Association at a ceremony that took place during the organization’s 2025 annual meeting in Lake George on Sept. 11.

The awards recognize initiatives and achievements of New York state’s destination marketing organizations, attractions and other tourism-related businesses. Categories included marketing campaigns, destination management initiatives, location stewardship, innovation and leadership.

Open to all tourism professionals and organizations throughout the state, the New York State Tourism Excellence Awards are determined through a competitive evaluation process led by a panel of impartial industry experts.

ROOST received two awards reflecting “Excellence in Sustainable Tourism: Champions of Change,” and “Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects and Programs: Creative Use of Data to Drive Success.”

ROOST received the “Excellence in Sustainable Tourism: Champions of Change” award in response to its leadership in preparing for the 2024 solar eclipse. ROOST’s leadership ahead of, and during, this event showcased its innovation, sense of responsibility and desired impact. The campaign successfully balanced visitor experience with resident well-being and environmental stewardship.

ROOST also received the “Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects and Programs: Creative Use of Data to Drive Success” award for its use of Data Driven Large Scale Event Management which leverages comprehensive analytics to enhance large-scale event planning, execution, and sustainability. ROOST’s ability to balance tourism growth with community well-being reflects its destination management role.

ROOST collects and analyzes real-time data during events to help event planners optimize attendee experiences while identifying and addressing community pressure points to minimize disruption. Its innovative program creates a model that balances tourism growth with community well-being, delivering both immediate event success and lasting regional tourism benefits.

By creatively leveraging data during large events, the program enhances planning, resulting in smoother logistics, stronger community engagement, and measurable economic impact. Successful events often lead to visitors sharing their positive experiences with others and returning as leisure travelers, further amplifying the long-term benefits for the region.