By Craig Skevington

Every time we turn around it seems that another major retailer, social network, or infrastructure company has been hacked. 

These intrusions put millions of people at risk via their personal and financial information and cost companies billions of dollars. So, what are small business owners to do? Small and medium size businesses are prime targets for hackers since they are often less prepared. There are some simple, but important things that can be done today to ensure your data remains secure. 

Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC announced that Alex Tucker has been named general manager of Saratoga Casino Hotel.  

Tucker “has been an integral member of senior leadership at Saratoga Casino for over eleven years,” the company said.

Most recently, he served as Senior vice president of gaming and finance. Tucker  was responsible for leading the company’s finance, accounting, food and beverage, and gaming operations departments. 

The City of Saratoga Springs announced plans to support the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) with a $14,000 economic development award as a first step in a plan to promote the city as a worldwide destination for arts and culture.  

The initiative, which launches this spring, is expected to continue in future years to spur economic development by promoting the Saratoga Springs as a thriving arts community to journalists and media beyond the Capital Region, officials said.

“The city’s arts venues, cultural events, and artists are as world-class as its racing and natural beauty,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly. “We are excited to partner with SPAC to tell the story of this vital and unique aspect of Saratoga Springs.”

The fifth annual Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival returns to the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa in June.

Organizers said there are two important differences in 2018. The festival will no longer be held on Father’s Day Weekend, instead moving to June 22-24. 

 Also, the name of the festival was changed. It was formerly the Saratoga Balloon and Craft Festival.

After four successful years, event organizers said they wanted to create a bigger and better event. 

“We needed to diversify and add non-balloon related components,” said Tim Cianciola of Craftproducers, one of the organizers.

Creatacor Inc., an exhibit design, fabrication and trade show management provider, has created a 144-panel, 8,000-pound mobile version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, called “The Wall That Heals.”

Made of solid surface material and at 75 percent scale of the wall in Washington, D.C., the replica is now the largest in existence, according to the company. The wall exhibit is now touring the country.

“We are truly honored to be tasked with a sentimental and important project, an exhibit of our nation’s and world’s history, for the public to view closer to home,” said Will Farmer, COO of Creatacor. “We know these updates to the mobile education center and creation of the largest mobile replica of The Wall yet will be impactful for all who have served in the military and who have an opportunity to visit the exhibition this year.”

A program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), The Wall That Heals tours the country from coast-to-coast via a 53-foot trailer that also serves as a mobile Education Center. Visitors will be able to further engage with The Wall That Heals by viewing artifacts, memorabilia left at the memorial wall in D.C. and photos of fallen service members.

A new fan experience area will debut in July at Saratoga Race Course.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) said its improvement project in the grandstand is “designed to create an enhanced hospitality area for racing fans and revitalize the section of the grandstand near the Top of the Stretch.”

The new area is called The Stretch and marks the first significant enhancement to the structure since the mid-1960s.

The Stretch is an all-new private hospitality area featuring “modern and upscale amenities in a casual environment with breathtaking views of thoroughbreds rounding the final turn as they enter the dramatic stretch run,” NYRA said in a news release.

Highlights of the area include three types of boxes available in multiple configurations, a high-end raised circular bar, touchscreen tablets and premium reserved seating. Additionally, The Stretch will offer guests exclusive access to a full-service kitchen and concessions, high-definition televisions and video screens, special events, table service, and private restrooms. There will be “a relaxed dress code.”