Flavor of New York at New York Times Travel Show

New York (United States) – December 24, 2015 (travelindex) – Empire State Development’s (ESD) Division of Tourism, I Love New York will showcase the state’s wide range of culinary experiences at The New York Times Travel Show January 8 – 10, 2016 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. I Love New York will host panel discussions, offer time to engage with culinary experts and with various state and regional representatives, as an opportunity for travelers to learn about the state’s culinary assets.

“From the Finger Lakes to Long Island and everywhere in between, New York State is home to top-notch culinary establishments that offer a great opportunity to visit the state’s unique travel destinations,” said ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “We are excited to participate in The New York Times Travel Show this winter and to highlight the fresh produce and culinary assets found across our great state for all to enjoy.”

The following is a taste of what consumers and trade will experience when they attend panel discussions and meet experts who will share their knowledge of the options available to culinary travelers interested in exploring New York State:

Trade Panel – A Focus on New York State Culinary Tourism
Friday, January 8, 2016 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Moderated by Greg Oats, Senior Editor at Skift

A panel of experts will share how to identify and customize a culinary experience for clients curated specifically for them. The panelists will highlight outstanding programs, attractions and initiatives taking place throughout the state.
Panelists include: Steve Bate, Executive Director Long Island Wine Council; Mary Kay Vrba, President and CEO Dutchess Tourism; Kelly Blazosky, President Oneida County Tourism; Nikita Jankowski, Communications Manager, Visit Syracuse; and Joseph Ganley, Marketing & Promotions Specialist, Taste NY – an initiative launched by Governor Cuomo in 2013 to promote New York’s food and beverage industries.

Consumer Panel – New York State Bounty: Traveling to Eat
Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Moderated by Kate Krader, Restaurant Editor at Food & Wine Magazine
Traveling to eat has never been better in New York State. A panel of experts will take consumers on a ‘culinary tour’ featuring farm to table restaurants, breweries, vineyards, cheese trails, farms and many more gastronomic experiences that can be found in every region of the state.
Panelists include: Kristen Jarnagin, President Long Island CVB; Lucille S. Munz, Director Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center; Kelly Blazosky, President Oneida County Tourism; Nikita Jankowski, Communications Manager, Visit Syracuse and Joseph Ganley, Marketing & Promotions Specialist, Taste NY.

Meet the Experts and Pavilion Stage Performances: Plan Your Next New York State Adventure

Saturday, January 9, 2016
11:30am – 11:45 a.m. Sullivan County Catskills presents Java Love on the Global Stage showing curious travelers what it takes to grow, process, roast and brew an amazing and memorable cup of coffee.
12:00 – 12:45 p.m. LGBT Travel in New York State with Ross Levi, Vice President Marketing Initiatives, Empire State Development.
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. The Wines of New York State with Steve Bate, Executive Director, Long Island Wine Council.
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. Traveling Through History in New York State with Mark Castiglione, Executive Director, Path Through History.
2:00-2:15 p.m. MTA Music Under New York member Muhamadou Salieu Suso performs Gambian music, continuing his family’s 1,000 year old tradition on the Global Beats Stage. salieususo.fourfour.com
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. Rails: Traveling Through New York State By Rail with Donna Haynes, Assistant Director Promotional Partnerships Metro-North and Tom Martinellie, Publisher Amtrak New York By Rail.
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Enjoying the Outdoors in New York State with Laurel Remus, Director of Public Affairs and Education New York State Office of Parks.

Sunday, January 10, 2016
11 – 11:15 a.m. MTA Music Under New York members The West Village Quartet performs works from the classical repertoire, founded in 1987 by David Burnett-Caines on the Global Beats Stage. westvillagequartet.wix.com/newyork
11:30am – 11:45 a.m. Weekend of Chamber Music presented by Sullivan County Catskills.
12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Experiencing the Parks of New York State with Wendy Gibson, Director of Marketing & Promotions, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Skiing in New York State with Scott Brandi, President, Ski Areas of New York, Inc.
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. The Culinary Experience of New York State with a Taste NY representative from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. Destinations and Adventures Along the Erie Canal & Canalway Trail with Bill Sweitzer, Marketing Director, New York State Canals.

On Stage with Julie Taboulie
Celebrity Chef Julie Taboulie will be on stage at the Taste of the World Kids Kitchen on Saturday, January 9 at 3:30pm to demonstrate signature local dishes highlighting local New York State products and will be available for an autograph signing at the visit Syracuse booth after her demonstration.

Show goers may take a stroll down the New York aisle, enter to win prizes and get updates from Lake George Chamber of Commerce, Capital Saratoga Tourism Region, Catskills Association for Tourism Services, Dutchess Tourism, Central New York, Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council, Westchester County Tourism & Film, Visit Syracuse, Sullivan County Catskills, GONorthFork, Riverhead Chamber of Commerce, Montauk Chamber of Commerce, Corning Museum of Glass, Metro North, MTA Long Island Railroad, Canal NY and Long Island CVB.

About New York State
New York State features 11 beautiful vacation regions. New York’s attractions span from landmarks such as Niagara Falls to the wine trails of Hudson Valley and treasures like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Whether it’s wide-ranging outdoor activities for the whole family like hiking, culinary wonders and farm-to-table fresh foods, snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding, or the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies, New York State offers diverse activities for all travelers. For more information, visit www.iloveny.com. Media can find press releases and more at

CONTACT:
Melanie Klausner
Finn Partners
(646) 307-6310
Melanie.klausner@finnpartners.com

Eric Scheffel
Empire State Development
(518) 292-5274
escheffel@esd.ny.gov