Tourism leaders, business owners and community organizations from across Cayuga County will gather in Auburn next month for a summit focused on the role tourism plays in the local economy and community identity.
Tour Cayuga announced it will host its second annual “Where Tourism Meets Community” luncheon on June 17 at the Emerson Park Pavilion in Auburn. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and marks the organization’s 31st anniversary. Organizers say the summit is designed to bring together tourism partners, elected officials, hospitality professionals and residents for discussions centered on collaboration and economic development.
Featured speaker Bob Provost, president and CEO of the New York State Tourism Industry Association, will discuss tourism’s impact on sustainable economic growth across New York.
Attendees will also hear from planners involved in the proposed Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway initiative, which is tied to preparations for Freedom 2027, the bicentennial marking the end of enslavement in New York state.
This year’s event will also include the presentation of Tour Cayuga’s annual tourism awards. Organizers said the new America 250 Tourism Impact Award will recognize projects, events and partnerships that help residents and visitors connect with local history and community identity ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Tour Cayuga Executive Director Courtney Kasper said the event was inspired in part by resident feedback showing strong public support for tourism and greater interest in community involvement.
“Tour Cayuga has long advocated for the strength and value of Cayuga County’s tourism industry, and this is our opportunity to share tourism’s story with the people it touches most,” Kasper said.
According to Tour Cayuga, visitors spent more than $157 million in Cayuga County in 2024, supporting more than 1,500 jobs and generating more than $18 million in state and local tax revenue.
The luncheon will be held at the Emerson Park Pavilion on East Lake Road in Auburn. Organizers said the event is open to the public with advance registration required.
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