Category Archives: Business News

STEADfast IT, a managed service provider, announced the launch of an in-house SOS center, an end-user support service designed to eliminate delays associated with requests for help.

The STEADfast IT SOS Center applies concepts from just-in-time manufacturing and hospital emergency rooms to the IT industry. By re-engineering the support process, the level of customer service is elevated beyond industry norms, according to the company.

Dedicated SOS engineers are trained in new methods and utilize proprietary software built specifically for the SOS Center.

STEADfast’s software manages all requests in real-time so that every call for assistance is treated as an emergency triage and is routed directly to the appropriate individual best qualified to address the issue, officials said. This approach to IT support eliminates the traditional ticket escalation process and its support tiers.

Mazzone Hospitality LLC, headquartered in Clifton Park, has added to its portfolio of special events facilities with the opening of its new venue at Courtyard Marriott Lake George.

The 3,900-square-foot banquet hall is located at the lakeside hotel property at 365 Canada St., in Lake George. It opened in late July.

Mazzone Catering will oversee all catering operations at the private event space, which will host weddings, business functions, fundraisers and other special events.

The Courtyard Marriott Lake George brings the total number of exclusive Mazzone Catering properties to seven. The company also maintains a robust off-premise catering division.

“We are excited to introduce our first exclusive ‘venue with a view’ at the Courtyard Marriott Lake George. It is a true delight to expand our operations in this beautiful community,” said Mazzone Catering chief operating officer Sean Willcoxon. “We pride ourselves on providing impeccable food and service, and pledge to continue to uphold this standard in Lake George. We look forward to welcoming the community to tour this exciting new space, which provides a unique range of amenities for truly memorable special events.”

The Courtyard Marriott Lake George features lake and mountain views and access to the signature Mazzone Catering culinary menu.

By Maureen Werther

As thoroughbred racing fans leave the 2017 Saratoga Race Course season behind,the Breeders Cup Association continues to gear up for its own two-day event being held this year in Del Mar racetrack in California.

The Breeders Cup, slated for Nov. 3 and 4, is the culmination of grade one stakes races held at tracks across the country and around the world. It’s the equivalent of the Super Bowl for the thoroughbred industry.

Peter Rotondo, vice president of the Breeders’ Cup, was a very busy man during the running of the 2017 Whitney Stakes in Saratoga Springs. The race became part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series in 2007. The race winner—Gun Runner this year—gets an automatic bid to the racing’s big event in November.

Rotondo’s activities in and around the track  continued throughout the course of the meet, with appearances on panel groups and sponsorship of Equestricon, the first trade show of its kind in the world of thoroughbred racing.

Rotondo said when people think of the Breeders’ Cup, they usually think of just one race, the Classic, which is has a $6 million purse and is the marquis event.

The colorful and multi-themed hot air balloons will take to the skies again in the Glens Falls/Lake George area when the Adirondack Balloon Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 21-24.

It will be the 45th annual event.

It kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Crandall Park in Glens Falls. Events continue through the weekend at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury.

Some of the unusual balloons will include Owlbert Einstein, Scortch the Dragon, Smiley the Scarecrow and Pokey the Turtle. An American Flag balloon piloted by Barry Delibero will appear for the first time at the festival. It is 70 feet tall and 78 feet wide, organizers said.

Scortch the Dragon also makes his first appearance, piloted by Keith Sproul. He stands 145 feet tall.

This year’s event has band performances during the weekend by the Master Cylinders, North and South Dakotas, Buckeye Rooster, the Old Main and Across the Pond.

Parking passes can be purchased online at www.adirondackballoonfest.org.

**8/17/17 Updated to correct ownership.

By Maureen Werther

Dehn’s Flowers is celebrating its 125th year in business throughout the summer, with sales and special events for long-time customers as well as new ones. While some things at Dehn’s have changed, other things have remained the same, the most important of which is the family’s work ethic and their commitment to the business.

Christian Dehn made the trip from Germany to the United States in 1890 specifically to visit the World’s Fair. While he was there, he met people who told him about the upstate New York city of Saratoga Springs and its growing popularity as a place to relax and enjoy the restorative properties of its healing springs.

Dehn decided to see for himself what all the fuss was about and, soon after arriving here, he opened a flower business on Clark Street. However, he had left his wife, Sophie and their young son, Charles in Germany. Within a year, he closed the Clark Street shop, made the trip back to Europe and brought his family back to Saratoga Springs. In February of 1892, he purchased an existing flower shop on Beekman Street. Five generations and 125 years later, the family business continues to thrive.

By R.J. DeLuke

The New York Racing Association continues to invest money into Saratoga Race Course, in an effort to draw younger fans. It is also proud of the way it has worked with local businesses to enhance the economic viability of the track and the city.

Those were among the messages NYRA CEO Chris Kay relayed at a breakfast meeting of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, held at the National Museum of Racing on the eve of the opening of this year’s meet.

The following day, NYRA reported that Saratoga Race Course saw an all-sources handle of $20,332,051, a 14.47 percent increase over the 2016 opening day total.

Kay cited the 2015 study that showed the race track had an economic impact in the county of $237 million. There hasn’t been a study since, but he said, based on the number of new hotels and the price increases at restaurants, he estimated that economic impact has probably grown to $245-$250 million.

Regarding current investments, Kay said an improved children’s playground area “is as important and as strategic a capital improvement as we will ever make when it comes to the sustainability of our organization and, therefore, the sustainability of the Saratoga economy.”

Over the years, he noted, many people became fans because they visited the track with their parents and had fond memories that brought them back. Today, that is not necessarily the case; so, getting younger fans to perpetuate the attendance at the track is important.

Other changes this year, he said, include technological enhancements that more than doubled the facility’s Wi-Fi capacity; the Saratoga debut of NYRA XP, a new all-in-one Saratoga mobile app that provides all kinds of information as well as streaming of live races; and the unveiling of a restored historic paddock pari-mutuel building.

Saratoga County Attorney Stephen M. Dorsey was elected president of the County Attorneys’ Association of the State of New York (CAASNY) during its recent annual meeting.

The association is an organization that represents counties across the state, and helps foster effective government and promotes the science of law.

“It is an honor to serve as president of this esteemed and impactful association,” Dorsey said. “It means a great deal that my work as Saratoga County Attorney has enabled me to take my experience to this statewide organization. I am looking forward to contributing to this group, as well as learning from my colleagues and peers from around the state.”

The association is made up of county attorneys and their assistant county attorneys from throughout New York state. CAASNY centers its attention on constructing professional relationships among county and New York City corporation counsel attorneys in New York state.

Guy Mastrion, entrepreneur and creative industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in brand development, digital strategy, advertising, design, photography and film for global brands, was appointed the ninth F. William Harder chair of business at Skidmore College.

Mastrion is founder and chief creative officer of Brandforming, a multidisciplinary creative organization with expertise in design, campaign and digital work dedicated to the creation and transformation of brands. The firm’s clients represent myriad industries including health and wellness, financial services, entertainment, transportation, consumer/packaged goods, food and beverage, travel, automotive and fashion brands, college officials said.

He is also a founding member of Watershed Bridges, a unique network of partner firms established by experienced industry veterans, and dedicated to connecting for a change in healthcare communications.

Prior to founding Brandforming, Mastrion was a co-founder and chief global creative officer of Palio-Ignite, a worldwide healthcare advertising agency helping to establish and grow inVentiv Health. Palio-Ignite was headquartered in Saratoga Springs and grew to have offices in New York City and Irvine, Calif., plus a network of global agency affiliates.

Guy has also held senior creative positions at leading advertising agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, Bates Worldwide, McCaffrey McCall Partners, Dancer Fitzgerald & Sample and McCann Erickson.

“Guy brings a wealth of practical knowledge, industry expertise, and creative energy to thinking about advertising, branding, and marketing communications,” said Caroline D’Abate, chair of the Department of Management & Business at Skidmore College. “He sees connections between business, psychology, the arts, sciences, history, and so much more, and he brings these connections to life in relevant ways for his clients. We foresee Guy Mastrion becoming an influential and impactful part of the Skidmore community.”