By Doug Ford

As we step into 2025, I remain optimistic about what lies ahead for the construction industry, even though there is much uncertainty. The construction industry, along with companies supporting it like Curtis Lumber, faces a year that will blend both opportunity and caution. Let’s take a closer look at what we know, what we think we know, and the unknowns that could influence the year ahead.

The outlook for construction in 2025 is generally optimistic, especially for residential and multifamily projects. Nationally and locally, growth is expected, but experts predict commercial construction will slow compared to previous years. Residential and multifamily construction remains robust as demand for housing continues, despite challenges such as rising interest rates.

That said, there are still plenty of unknowns that could impact the industry. Much of this uncertainty stems from the new administration and its policies. Changes in leadership can significantly impact the construction sector, especially when it comes to regulation and funding for infrastructure. We are likely to see a focus on reducing regulations and prioritizing traditional infrastructure and energy projects, which is positive for the industry. However, there may be less emphasis on renewable energy projects, and potential labor impacts due to stricter immigration policies or rising tariffs could add costs. Only time will reveal how these factors will play out.

A major concern for the construction sector is the ongoing labor shortage. According to a recent AGC survey, over 90% of contractors struggle to fill positions across all levels. Despite efforts to raise awareness and encourage more people to pursue careers in the trades, these challenges persist. Locally, the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition (www.NCTWC.org), which I co-founded with Pam Stott, is working to bridge this gap by increasing awareness of career opportunities in the construction trades. Research has shown that many young people are unaware of the trades, largely due to a lack of accurate information provided by school counselors (no fault of theirs) and parents. Through our extensive research we have realized the construction industry has done very little to engage with the schools and provide the tools and resources necessary for the counselors. Additionally, parents are basing their knowledge of the trades on what they saw growing up, which is very different today.

By Todd Shimkus 

As we head into 2025, Saratoga County is extremely well-positioned for the future. 

Let’s take a look at what we already have marked on the calendar for the new year. 

Major employers Regeneron and GlobalFoundries are expanding in our county. These investments indicate growth for our local economy, and we hope it will attract talented employees to our one-of-a-kind region where its truly possible to “Live Like You’re On Vacation.” 

With one year of experience under our belts, the area is set to host the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in early June. The event will feature five days of racing at Saratoga Race Course (one more than in 2024) – and we are thrilled to present another Belmont on Broadway concert to kick off the festivities in Saratoga Springs. 

Plus, a special July 4th Racing Festival will serve as a prelude to the traditional summer meet. These extra four days of racing are sure to bring some added vibrancy to Saratoga for Independence Day, and we hope that folks from near and far will join us for Saratoga’s All-American Celebration, an annual tradition organized by our Chamber that features live music and a spectacular fireworks display in the City’s downtown business district. 

The 2025 Saratoga Performing Arts Center entertainment schedule, which will run from May to September, is also shaping up to be an extraordinary season. Appearances by Avril Lavigne, Thomas Rhett, Rod Stewart, Weird Al Yankovic, Goo Goo Dolls, Styx and Shania Twain have already been announced by our friends at Live Nation, along with the return of the Saratoga Jazz Festival as well as the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra for their 2025 seasons in their summer home at SPAC. 

Tree House Brewing Company’s highly anticipated new Saratoga Springs location, which recently started offering beer-to-go, is slated to open its taproom to the public in 2025. This will be the brewery’s seventh location and its first in New York state, and it will certainly be a popular destination for beer-lovers. 

By Neal Sandin

AI continues to permeate into society, spreading to every corner of our homes and workplaces. People are using it to help make emails more professional and resumes more appealing. Unfortunately for market research, some are using it to answer questions.

This is a significant issue. The entire purpose of qualitative market research is to understand people’s unique wants, needs, and desires, as well as the issues and barriers they struggle against. If respondents provide us with AI-generated responses instead, we are failing on a fundamental level. After all, AI generates answers that are compiled from huge amounts of data from millions of users. While undoubtedly useful, it cannot accurately reflect the unique circumstances of the individual. AI can tell us where the rents are rising, but it cannot tell us the feelings, emotions, and hopes of a specific tenant. 

One obvious solution is to simply rely less on methodologies such as online bulletin boards, which allow users to reply to questions at their leisure. Face-to-face interaction, either in-person or via Zoom or Teams, precludes using generative AI like Chat GPT. Direct connection would seem to make for more engagement and better results. 

However, sometimes online bulletin boards are the best tool for the job, such as when people try a product over the course of several days. Nor has there been a significant drop in the use of online bulletin boards, or similar forms of market research, since the advent of Chat GPT or other AI tools.

Another solution is to simply disregard AI generated answers and replace those respondents. This is possible when the AI is obvious, but as teachers and professors around the world can attest, no person or program can infallibly identify AI-generated responses. 

So, the question becomes, why? Why do people use generative AI instead of giving their own opinion? It is easy to fault the respondents, saying that they are lazy or in it for the money. That may occasionally be the case, but the answer is hardly that simple. After all, most people want to have their opinions and frustrations heard and taken seriously. Yet, some turn to AI to generate a response. It is disheartening to find that when asking for a personal opinion (in a confidential and safe setting), people do not feel empowered to give it.

By Stephen Kyne, CFP®

The markets in 2024 were dominated, largely, by AI/IT and the Fed. 

The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ 100 were up 23% and 25%, respectively. On the surface that may appear to suggest that stocks, in general, did very well, however a deeper dig shows that a huge share of returns were limited to a very few stocks.

The “Magnificent 7” stocks make up nearly 33% of the S&P 500 that you often see quoted, and nearly 50% of the NASDAQ 100, the other 493 and 93, respectively, make up the rest. Weighting in these indices is proportional to the size of the companies. If you flatten it out and take all 500 companies in the S&P at equal weight, you’ll find a return of only about 12% for the year, which paints a very different picture. Investors have plowed funds into these few names, at the expense of the broader market. 

Looking ahead to the new year, we are cautiously optimistic about US stock markets providing positive returns for 2025. Much will depend on the governing policies and priorities of the new administration, which we believe we’ll learn in rapid succession in the third week of January. 

It was announced by the Presidend-elect that we’ll be re-naming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America”, as well as putting “substantial” economic pressure on Canada to surrender its sovereignty and become the 51st state. Once those very pressing issues are settled, maybe everything else will fall into place, and we can end this piece here. 

If only that were true…

Sideshows like these create unnecessary distractions and uncertainty for businesses and the markets. If there is one thing financial markets crave, it’s certainty. Volatility arising from this uncertainty is likely to affect domestic and international markets, as investors vacillate between bullish sentiment and defensive posturing. 

By Darryl Leggieri, President, Discover Saratoga

As we reflect on 2024, it’s clear this year was a landmark moment for tourism in Saratoga County. Our region continued to shine as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings, and events, delivering exceptional experiences for visitors and significant economic benefits for the community.

2024: A Year of Growth and Innovation

Saratoga County’s tourism sector thrived in 2024. Our iconic attractions—Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Saratoga National Historical Park, Universal Preservation Hall, and Caffe Lena—drew significant crowds. The summer meet at Saratoga Race Course exceeded one million in paid attendance, cementing its place as a cornerstone of our tourism industry.

Our lodging sector also experienced a banner year, with growth in demand, occupancy, average daily rate, and revenue per available room. These gains highlight the enduring appeal of Saratoga County as a destination for relaxation, culture, and entertainment.

This year, we proudly assumed the role of the official Tourism Promotion Agency for Saratoga County, a designation that underscores our commitment to promoting the unique offerings of our region. Our marketing efforts yielded impressive results, including a leisure advertising campaign that generated over 7 million impressions and 25 key media placements, garnering 708 million media impressions.

New Initiatives to Enhance Visitor Experience

Innovation was a cornerstone of 2024. To enhance visitor engagement, we launched:

• A mobile app to help travelers explore the area,

• Digital kiosks at the Saratoga Springs City Center and Heritage Area Visitor Center to enhance the visitor experience,

• A podcast and YouTube series showcasing Saratoga’s unique stories.

Our collaboration with Saratoga 250 celebrated the county’s pivotal role in American history, including a feature on Travels with Darley. These initiatives laid the groundwork for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga in 2027.

By Sara Mannix

Looking back at 2024, I’ve seen the digital marketing industry undergo remarkable changes. It’s been a year of rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and the ongoing influence of global economic uncertainties. For me—and so many of us navigating this field—the new year has been a mix of challenges, exciting opportunities, and groundbreaking innovation.

As I reflect on the past year, one thing remains clear: no matter the state of the economy—whether tightening, as we saw in 2024, or expanding, as many predict for 2025—digital marketing continues to play a vital role. It’s where businesses connect with people in the spaces they spend the most time: online. From social media to search engines, digital platforms are where brands thrive—or fall behind.

Key Trends Defining 2024 That Shed Light on 2025

Artificial Intelligence: Moving Beyond the Hype

AI has shifted from being a buzzword to an essential digital marketing tool. I’ve seen how platforms like ChatGPT and AI-driven personalization have transformed how we connect with audiences and tailor experiences. But there’s a fine line here. In conversations with industry peers, especially in groups like the Bureau of Digital Agencies, the focus has been thoughtfully leveraging AI. Those who use AI simply as a shortcut to manipulate systems may see fleeting success, but that approach is unsustainable. The real winners in 2025 and beyond will be those who balance automation with authenticity—using AI as a tool, not a crutch.

Content’s New Frontier: Video and Interactive Media

Video content is still king, but I’ve noticed a growing interest in interactive formats like live streaming, polls, and augmented reality. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts continue to dominate, but the push for immersive experiences is opening up new opportunities. For us, the challenge is in finding creative ways to integrate these formats into campaigns that engage audiences and keep them coming back for more.