Top 10 Reasons To Visit Saratoga!

Reason #1: Location

One of the best parts of holding your meeting, conference, or corporate retreat in Saratoga is getting away from it all… taking time to think outside the box, plan company strategies, implement some forward thinking for your organization or increase your production through better collaboration between your employees (also known as getting to know each other)!
 
Saratoga Springs is nestled in beautiful Upstate NY, just about three hours from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Montreal, Canada.  Located just off I-87, Saratoga is centrally located between the Adirondack Park just to the north, and the bustling Albany NY Capital District to the south. Transportation to and from is easily arranged via air, bus, train or automobile!

Planning your company meeting in Saratoga Springs NY allows you to enjoy all of the facilities, attractions, and services of more urban settings, with the privacy, comfort, and personal service that high-end resort communities offer.

Reason #2: Conference Facilities

Experienced meeting planners know what makes a successful meeting or conference come together: modern and fully equipped meeting and event venues, the latest technology for attendees, adequate and comfortable accommodations coupled with dining and lodging designed to suit every taste and company budget.  

Every company has a goal in mind for conference, meeting or retreat events. Whether your focus is education, networking and promotion, team building or sales, Saratoga Springs conference facilities have everything you need to make it happen. Whatever your goals are, we will do our best to provide you with what you need to meet them.

The Saratoga Springs City Center is in the works of planning a $16 million expansion! By 2010, there will be 32,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space with a second floor addition. The expansion will provide more flexibility to host larger groups and hold simultaneous activities of a single event. Located just off I-87, the Convention Center is within a 10-minute walk of the best Saratoga attractions, dining, shopping and entertainment!

Reason #3: History

The storied background of Saratoga is both dramatic and colorful! From the early lore of native Indians and healing waters, to the history-changing Battle of Saratoga during the Revolutionary War, to the captains of industry and moving picture stars that frequented Saratoga in the early days, there is plenty to explore here in the renowned Spa City! Meeting and convention visitors love to tour the battle grounds, browse area museums, and take a walking tour of the historic healing Saratoga mineral springs!

Reason #4: Racing

Horses and thoroughbred horse racing in Saratoga are a spectacular draw for Saratoga meeting and convention goers. Saratoga Racetrack itself is a historic venue, offering excitement, thrills, and the charm of a bygone era.  Saratoga Polo is a dynamic and unique event for the experienced and uninitiated alike. Visitors can take a horse and carriage ride, experience video gaming extraordinaire, and browse the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame! Saratoga meeting planners will find that there is something for everyone visiting Saratoga Springs for business - or pleasure!

Reason #5: Events & Entertainment

Finding events and entertainment for Saratoga conventions, meetings, group tours or reunions is easy - Saratoga Springs is a dynamic, fun environment where there is always something fun in the works!  No matter what time of year you are planning for your Saratoga meeting or convention, you’ll find events and festivities surrounding the arts, food, culture, racing, holiday celebrations, and a host of other attractions.

Meeting planners find that Saratoga events and attractions offer a full range of things to do comparable to larger urban areas, but in an elegant, old-world style setting!

Reason #6: Dining

Saratoga restaurants are renowned for their incredible cuisine and atmosphere! Looking for a fine Saratoga dining experience for your corporate board members or employees? Perhaps you prefer a more casual environment where you can relax over some excellent food and drinks, rehash the day’s business and get to know your co-workers a bit better….or maybe you just want to kick back and try some pub fare, a casual and deliciously superb deli menu, or opt to just give it up and indulge in some extraordinary desserts that are guaranteed to bring you right back here next year!

In Saratoga, even our restaurants have special events… Restaurant Week is a great opportunity for visitors to discover the best dining Saratoga has to offer, and ChowderFest is an annual culinary tradition not to be missed!

For meeting planners considering Saratoga, our many restaurants and fabulous dining are a huge part of what makes the Spa City the ideal destination for meetings, conventions, reunions and group tours. Venues for large banquets, casual or intimate dining, ethnic and standard fare are all available – and delicious!

Reason #7: Lodging

Saratoga lodging and hospitality is second to none. Meeting planners rely on Saratoga for a full choice of elegant hotels, exquisite bed and breakfasts, and comfortable, affordable lodging for every taste and corporate budget.

No matter what size group you are planning, Saratoga accommodations can accommodate, with on-site venues and off-site meeting facilities guaranteed to please. Our lodging is Saratoga is located near some of the best dining, attractions and conference facilities in Upstate NY.

The members of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau want your event to be simple to plan and execute from beginning to end…you can book a room online, or submit an RFP for more information and get the big picture on what’s available for your next meeting date.

Reason #8: Four Seasons of Fun

What’s the ideal time of year for your company meeting? Early summer before your season gets underway? Mid-winter when everything is quiet? Maybe early Fall before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season…or maybe you want to take part in all the excitement and electricity that the Saratoga racing season has to offer?

Meeting planners – pick your season! Whatever your schedule or company calendar says, you can plan your meeting in Saratoga Springs with the assurance that there is always something to do!  There are signature Saratoga events ranging from the spring Farmer’s Market, arts and jazz, to the ever-popular mid-winter ChowderFest, to the legendary excitement of the Saratoga racing season.

Reason #9: Arts & Culture

For after-hours distraction and appreciation, Saratoga continues to be a center for the arts and culture as it has for generations. This eclectic city has been home to some amazing residents, visitors and cultural icons…did you know that the Yaddo retreat hosted iconic figures such as Truman Capote, Georgia O’Keefe, Sylvia Plath and an impressive “Who’s Who”  array of early and contemporary artists?

Taking a break from your busy convention or meeting schedule presents countless opportunities for exploring the historic sites and museums of this great little city.  The National Museum of Dance is located here, as is the renowned Tang Museum at Skidmore College. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) hosts a number of distinguished music and dance venues along with pop culture concerts. You’ll want to be sure and bring home a bit of the Saratoga art scene with you once you visit the newly energized Beekman St. art district. Don't forget to attend SaratogaArtsFest! It's a four-day annual celebration of the arts scheduled in early June, which delivers the brilliance and energy of art in its many forms--music, dance, visual art, film, theatre, and literary art.

Reason #10: Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau

The Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau (SCTB) is your #1 resource for planning a fun and professional Saratoga meeting or conference, military or class reunion, wedding event or group tour. Meeting planners: request an RFP for more information on what we have to offer your company or corporate group, or call us today at 518-584-1531.