LAKE PLACID, ADIRONDACKS USA -- To most people outside the meetings and groups industry, the words "convention" and "conference" seem interchangeable, but to the community of Lake Placid, the distinction could translate into increased business.

A convention center typically evokes an image of a large hall that will hold a grand scale trade show or car show. The Conference Center at Lake Placid is named specifically to reflect and promote a different product.

The new Conference Center at Lake Placid was designed with the community's room stock and amenities, its location in the Adirondacks and contemporary meeting market needs in mind. Technologically savvy and environmentally sound, the new Center will offer over 90,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibition space, with a total of 12 breakout rooms available for concurrent sessions, state of the art audio visual technology, a ballroom and a full service production kitchen. The Center's naturally lit space and views of its Adirondack surroundings will stimulate creativity, dynamic meetings, professional growth, and encourage competitive play.

The sales strategy for the Conference Center, including booking space and marketing, is being conducted cooperatively by the Lake Placid CVB and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). The team is thrilled to have the several differentiators to utilize in their marketing efforts to sell space to the group market, which is often booked years in advance. Representatives from both organizations presented an update of both construction and sales and marketing progress to date on Monday.

"Our new Conference Center is a facility that offers flexible meeting space with comfortable seating, soundproof walls and all of the audio visual technological equipment and connections necessary to conduct a contemporary business meeting," said Arlene Day, Director of Sales and Service at the Lake Placid CVB. "That opens up a whole new market for our destination."

"Lake Placid now offers the best of both worlds, as we can still accommodate groups who are looking for a traditional convention center," said Denny Allen, Olympic Center Manager at ORDA. "The Herb Brooks 1980 Arena and the Jack Shea 1932 Arena are connected to the Conference Center, and each offers 20,000 square feet of space for a variety of large scale trade shows, food and beverage functions, and events."

"Everyone that we talk to is very excited about the new facility," said Tracey Ridenour, Director of Sales and Marketing at the CVB. "Notably, the elegant ballroom, which is now the largest room of its type in Lake Placid, the full service kitchen and the expected LEED certification are all great advantages for us in our marketing efforts."

The Conference Center at Lake Placid is a green building, constructed with its sheltered Adirondack setting, and the health and comfort of its guests in mind. Construction techniques adhere to the criteria set forth by the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consortium) and incorporate optimized energy performance, renewable, recycled materials and natural daylight. The center anticipates GOLD LEED certification upon completion.

"The new Conference Center is one of the important ingredients to allow us to further increase the number of weatherproof events that we host in the mid-week periods and shoulder seasons, outside of the traditional travel periods," said James McKenna, Lake Placid CVB CEO. "This will support our destination's efforts to achieve an eleven-month economy."

The facility is paid for with funds set aside by Governor Pataki before he left office. "The community will have the newest, most state-of-the-art facility, with absolutely no debt load to the community," said Ted Blazer, ORDA CEO.

The sales team coordinates hotel bids and proposals, assists groups and attendees in inventing custom programs for meetings and activities, develops comprehensive itineraries and spousal programs and offers centralized accounting and a convenient online reservations system.

For more information about the Conference Center, visit www.lakeplacid.com/meetings, and for ongoing sales effort updates and the current conference schedule, visit the CVB's local marketing partner resource, www.lakeplacidcvb.com.

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