Guide to Meeting & Event Planning in

New York State

Learn why you should host your next meeting, event or conference in New York State.

Why New York State for Your Next Meeting or Event?

Better in Buffalo
Northstar's downloadable white paper, "The Off-Season Advantage", profiles 10 U.S. cities -- Buffalo, N.Y. included -- and their off-season group offerings. Get all the insight on the benefit of planning a "slow-month" meeting by accessing your copy here.

The Empire State offers some of Mother Nature's best work, be it the verdant Catskills and Adirondack mountains, the scenic Niagara region, the breathtaking Hudson Valley or many other scenic locales. Wherever you choose, New York State is a soul-stirring setting for meetings and incentives.  

Rochester

Event Venues, Additions & Renovations

• Connected via skybridge to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, the Hyatt Regency Rochester has completed an $18.5 million revamp. The 343-room property now offers renovated guest rooms, the city's first Morton's steakhouse, 20,000 square feet of function space, an outdoor terrace and scenic views of the Genesee River.

• The former Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside has been rebranded the Rochester Riverside Hotel. The 460-room property features casual dining, a heated outdoor pool, a fitness center and approximately 30,000 square feet of meeting space, all steps away from the convention center.

• The Arbor at the Port event center has opened on Rochester's Lake Ontario waterfront. The 5,400-square-foot facility can accommodate up to 250 dinner guests.   

• The Penthouse at One East Avenue is an expansive rooftop space overlooking downtown Rochester. Large picture windows reveal surrounding  historic architecture and natural beauty. The space can accommodate up to 250 people for a reception, 144 seated or 125 with a dance floor. (585) 775-2013

Convention Center: Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center; exhibit space, 100,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 25; (585) 232-7200

Transportation: Greater Rochester International Airport, 10 miles from downtown. Transfer cost to downtown: $20-$25 by taxi, $15 via Uber and Lyft

Taxes: Room tax, 6%; sales tax, 6%; total tax on hotel rooms, 14%

Rochester's 10 Best Restaurants

A visit to this New York destination should include a stop at one of these top restaurants.

  1. Pane Vino - Italian
  2. Rooney's Restaurant - International
  3. Ristorante Lucano - Italian
  4. Black & Blue Steak & Crab - Steakhouse
  5. Tournedos Steakhouse - Steakhouse
  6. Texas de Brazil - Brazilian
  7. Next Door - Sushi, American
  8. Char - American Steakhouse
  9. Michael's Valley Grill - American
  10. Avvino - American

Contact: Visit Rochester, (800) 677-7282

Saratoga

Event Venues, Additions & Renovations

• Saratoga Springs' historic Gideon Putnam hotel and conference center has reopened following repairs in the wake of a water-main break. The resort now offers 124 renovated guest rooms (including 22 suites), restaurant dining and perks that include a spa, access to three golf courses, and approximately 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space. 

New In Westchester
A 143-room Hilton Garden Inn will soon debut in Dobbs Ferry, adjacent to the Rivertowns Square shopping village. Features will include a full-service restaurant, a fitness center, an indoor saltwater pool and 1,520 square feet of event space.

Boundless Adventures has opened a new "aerial adventure park" in Purchase, offering rope climbs, zip lines, balance beams and more.

• In downtown Saratoga Springs, the Adelphi Hospitality Group has reopened the 32-room Adelphi Hotel following a five-year renovation and revitalization. Opened in 1877, the property includes reconfigured and updated guest rooms, a restoration of the 11-foot ceilings and grand staircase in the entry, plus a revamped speakeasy-inspired bar and a 1,200-square foot glass-wall conservatory that houses the new Blue Hen restaurant. The iconic hotel also debuted an 8,000-square-foot spa. 

• Discover Saratoga has launched DiscoverSaratoga.org. The new site is an all-in-one location for visitors, meeting and event planners, and locals, offering improved navigation and more visuals relating to Saratoga attractions, lodging and more.

• The 42-room Downtowner, formerly the Saratoga Downtowner, has reopened following a renovation crafted by new owners Lark Hotels. The chic property offers "loft-like" accommodations, an indoor common space, free-to-use iPads and complimentary small-plate breakfasts. 

• The historic Saratoga Race Course has been named one of the world's greatest sporting venues by Sports Illustrated.  The facility can accommodate up to 50,000 people. Having opened in 1863, it is the oldest thoroughbred horse-racing track in America.

• The 50-room Longfellows Hotel, Restaurant and Conference Center in Saratoga Springs has grown from a humble 1915 dairy farm into a popular regional meeting facility. The property hosts everything from intimate 50-person board meetings to full-scale outdoor tented events for up to 500 people. Longfellows Restaurant features intimate dining rooms on four levels. (518) 587-0108

Convention Center: Saratoga Springs City Center; exhibit space, 12,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 6; (518) 584-0027

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