Demand for hotel rooms, and hotel occupancy rates, were both at higher levels in 2015 than the years before, officials of the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau said at its 31st annual meeting and dinner held on March 16 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
In addition to highlighting the successes of 2015 and their initiatives for 2016, the bureau welcomed new members of the board of directors and Executive Committee.
A crowd of 175 members, government officials and others attended.
Bureau officials highlighted the 2015 annual report, noting that despite Saratoga County seeing a slight decrease in occupancy percentage because of new hotel inventory in Saratoga Springs and the county, overall demand and revenue were up significantly.
In Saratoga County, according to the report, demand for rooms was up 7.2 percent in 2015, over 2014. Revenue from hotel night stays was reported at $106.5 million in 2015, versus $96.5 million in 2014.
Occupancy rates, the report said, were at 68.7 percent in 2015, down 1.6 percent from 2014.
In Saratoga Springs, demand was up 10.2 percent from the previous year, according to the report. Revenue was as $71.3 million in 2015, 12.4 percent higher than the $63.5 million in 2014. Occupancy rates reached 69.2 percent, 4.9 percent above 2014, when the rate was 66 percent.
At the Saratoga Springs City Center, the report said the number of conventions/events held in 2015 was 420, versus 326 in 2014. That translated to an 80,185 room nights, compared to 66,191 in 2014. Estimated economic impact was reported at $29.5 million for last year, compared to $23.7 million in 2014.
The bureau also announced changes on the board.
Elected to serve on the Executive Committee for 2016-17 were Thomas Newkirk, Saratoga National Golf Club, chairman; Megan Hennessey, Courtyard by Marriott-Saratoga Springs, immediate past chairwoman; Patrick Pipino, Ben & Jerry’s of Saratoga, treasurer; Cindy Hollowood, Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs, at-large officer; and AJ Bodden, Townsquare Lifestyle Events, at-large officer.
Elected to serve three-year terms on the board of directors were Marianne Barker, Impressions of Saratoga; Josh Cupp, Thirsty Owl; Matthew D’Abate, Adirondack Trust Co.; and Paul Calhoun, Skidmore College.
Continuing to serve on the board of directors are: Mark Baker, Saratoga Springs City Center; Rita Cox, Saratoga Casino & Raceway; Robert Berrey, Gideon Putnam Resort; Dennis Brobston, Saratoga Economic Development Corp.; Dan Fortier, Embassy Suites Saratoga; Todd Shimkus, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce; Mik Mahdavi, Saratoga Hilton; Christine Harmon, West Side Sports Bar & Grill.
Sponsors of the event included CMI Communications, DeCrescente Distributing, Saratoga Casino and Raceway, Saratoga City Center, Capital InteriorScapes, the Gideon Putnam, Hatsational by DEI, Imagine That Marketing & Communications, Pavilion Grand Hotel, Posie Peddler, Premiere Transportation, Prime at Saratoga National, Adirondack Trust Co., Frozen Moments In and Around Saratoga, Mazzone Hospitality, Saratoga’s Community Federal Credit Union, Olde Saratoga Brewing Co., NYRA, Association Development Group Inc., Saratoga Economic Development Corp. and the Saratoga Hilton.