Results & Recognition

Finger Lakes Visitors Connection small staff brings over 75 years of tourism experience to the table. In addition, the board of directors, representing businesses across Ontario County bring a great variety of backgrounds and experiences to the table. The staff and the board have fostered their partnership with the industry to produce some pretty impressive results for Ontario County.

The bottom line measure of results is tourism growth – in terms of payroll, sales tax, jobs, and quality of life amenities. Our job is to create jobs with higher payroll values, to create sales tax, and to advocate for quality of life for our residents and visitors. Take a look at the charts in our Research & Resources section to see how well that has worked.

Tourism is big business with big benefits for Ontario County and its residents. Our organization follows its strategic plan and makes decisions which have produced results. These results are a reflection of our high quality staff and board members.

Finger Lakes Visitors Connection staff and board are often called upon to speak at travel industry professional conferences about the trends impacting tourism and about our successful marketing programs. These programs bring attention to our area and its vibrant travel and tourism economy.

To learn more about the professional recognitions that the organization and its staff members have received click on the names below. To see the professional profiles of the staff click here.

Valerie Knoblauch, President

Pat Charland, Vice President Marketing

Meg Colombo, e-Brand Manager

Sue Schmidt, CMP, Director of Sales

Sue Gelder and Peggy Boggan and Joey Norsen

Board Member Recognition and Affiliations