Dear Business Owner,                 
 
   We would like to introduce you to the Central Adirondack Association (CAA).
 
   The CAA was founded in 1929 by a group of local business owners who thought that some organized events might help increase tourism in our region. From this beginning, the CAA has evolved into an organization of 270 business owners that manages 15 events with a combined budget of $185,000 annually: events such as Black Fly Challenge, Christmas on Main Street, Moose River Festival, Classic Car Show, Snodeo, Sno-Cross, Yukon raffle, and Winter Carnival. In addition, the CAA donates another $20,000 to other area organizations and events, such as Antique Boat Show, Arts Center/Old Forge, CAP 21, Fox Family Blue Grass Festival, Inlet and Old Forge Summer Concerts, Inlet Frozen Fire and Lights, Kinderwood, and 90 Mile Canoe Classic.
 
   For every dollar we invest to increase tourism in our region, visitors spend an additional seven dollars on accommodations, meals, and retail establishments. By any measure, this is a terrific return on our investment! The best part of this story is that all of us benefit from this direct investment into our region.
 
Here are some additional benefits we offer our members:
 
·   Health Insurance The CAA offers affordable health insurance plans through Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Support Services Alliance (SSA). Through SSA, we also offer other forms of business insurance as well as other business services.
 
·   Marketing The CAA publishes the Central Adirondack Vacation Planner (CAVP), an annual planning guide for visitors coming to our region. A 20% advertising discount is provided to all members. We attend tourism shows, including the New York State Fair, and the Big East Show. Member brochures are circulated at these shows. We are currently developing a website which will be a resource for members as well as visitors to our region.  And, beginning in the spring of 2006, members will be able to purchase low cost websites to promote their businesses online.
 
·     Economic Development In partnership with Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, the CAA has an economic development office whose mission is to assist member businesses with the challenges and opportunities of managing their businesses.
 
   The CAA meets the first Wednesday of each month. We welcome you to attend any of our meetings, to volunteer at any of our events, or to join us at our social functions: Annual Meeting, Spring Banquet, and Fall Clam Bake.
 
   We accomplish a lot and we have a lot of fun. For all we are able to do to boost tourism dollars spent in our region, perhaps the most rewarding part of our work is the benefit it provides to our community. With your participation and support, we can do even more. Please consider becoming a member of the CAA. You will enrich your life and you will enrich your community.
 
Sincerely,

Nick Bankert, President  
Bruce Condie, Executive Director