Rochester
Situated on Lake Ontario, Rochester is a gem waiting to be discovered. The city’s rich history includes Erie Canal cruises, the George Eastman Museum and fascinating tours at the Susan B. Anthony House. Among the numerous festivals, June’s nine-day Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival draws 200,000 visitors and features more than 200 shows and 1,500 performers. The Eastman Conservatory of Music also offers many performances.
“We like to think of ourselves as the cultural capital of upstate New York,” said Rachel Laber, director of communications and public relations at Visit Rochester. “And for outdoor activities, the Finger Lakes are only 45 minutes away.”
Downtown, the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center houses 100,000 square feet of meeting space and lies steps away from the vibrant East End Cultural District. An enclosed walkway connects the 338-room Hyatt Regency Rochester and the 460-room Rochester Radisson Riverside to the convention center. A total of 1,000 rooms are situated within minutes of the center. The Genesee Brew House beer garden can be rented for up to 100 people, and Casa Larga Vineyards and Winery hosts banquets for up to 250 guests. The Strong Museum, one of the nation’s top children’s museums, hosts meetings, receptions and dinners.
Albany
Albany’s historic cornucopia appeals to varied interests. Striking 18th- and 19th-century manors host tours, historical presentations, meeting space and special events. The New York State Museum, founded in 1791, is the nation’s second-oldest museum. The last remaining “Destroyer Escort,” officially called the USS Slater DE 766, offers tours. Albany’s architectural marvel — the New York State Capitol and Empire State Plaza — features an impressive modern-art collection and ice skating rink. Between sessions, attendees can cruise the Hudson River or meander the Albany Craft Beverage Trail.
“Whether groups want a venue with state-of-the-art technology or a charming manor house perched above the Hudson River, Albany can accommodate,” said Michele Vennard, president and CEO of the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Albany Capital Center will open March 2017 with 82,000 square feet of multipurpose, meeting and prefunction space; it will be the largest meeting space in upstate New York. It’s part of the Capitol Complex that includes the Empire State Convention Center, the Egg Performing Arts Center and the newly upgraded Times Union Center, all connected by an enhanced walkway. The new Renaissance Albany will be connected to the center by way of an enclosed walkway. Off-site venues include the Ten Broeck Mansion with its beautiful gardens, the USS Slater and the NYS Museum.
