(Utica, NY- Feb. 7, 2014) A ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Oneida County Tourism’s new Welcome Center and 30th anniversary will take place Friday, Feb. 14 at 10:00 am in historic Union Station, 321 Main St., Utica.
County Executive Anthony Picente, Oneida County Tourism President Kelly Blazosky, Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pamela G. Matt, Esq., Chamber Ambassadors, members of the Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley and local dignitaries will be on hand for the celebration.
In cooperation with Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Oneida County Tourism recently opened a Welcome Center in historic Union Station to provide information services to visitors arriving and departing by train and bus, as well as the many visitors utilizing services provided by Union Station’s numerous businesses. Over 195,000 people visit Union Station each year for transportation services, tourism attractions and experiences such as the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Oneida County Public Market, Trackside Restaurant, and a variety of public services provided by state and county offices.
The Union Station Welcome Center is open Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. As part of this cooperative effort with the County, Oneida County Tourism will be open on Oneida County Public Market Saturdays 9:00 am to 1:00 pm to provide clerical support for the marketing manager and information for market vendors and visitors. The bureau’s Welcome Center at Exit 31 continues to welcome visitors entering Oneida County from the NYS Thruway seven days a week.
2014 marks a significant anniversary for Oneida County Tourism, the official tourism promotion agency (TPA) for Oneida County. Since incorporation as The Convention and Visitors Bureau for Oneida County, Inc. on Feb. 17, 1984 and lead by a forward thinking board of directors spearheaded by Christopher P. Destito, the bureau has actively promoted Oneida County as a premier Central New York destination to leisure, group, and business travelers for 30 years. In 2012, visitor spending in Oneida County totaled $1.2 Billion.
For more information visit www.OneidaCountyTourism.com.