Hospitality leaders to be honored at celebratory dinner

The hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic, but Warren County tourism not only survived but thrived over the past two years. In March, the Warren County Board of Supervisors commended five leaders in the industry for their professional contributions during the public health emergency.

The hospitality leaders recognized by the Board of Supervisors and the business community are:

• Joanne Conley, Warren County Director of Tourism. Conley is retiring in May after 41 years of service to the county.

• Gina Mintzer, Executive Director, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau;

• Kathy Muncil, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fort William Henry Corp.;

• Amy Collins, Director of Tourism and Business Development for the City of Glens Falls, and

• Sara Mannix, founder, president, and chief executive officer of Mannix Marketing, Glens Falls.

“They contributed to our successful effort to introduce the Warren County/Lake George region to new summer guests,” says Gene Merlino, Lake Luzerne Town Supervisor and chair of the Board of Supervisors Tourism Committee. “Indeed, through their efforts, Warren County turned what could have been an economic disaster into a remarkable success for the benefit of the thousands of local individuals and families who rely on our visitors for their livelihoods.” Merlino noted that these professionals were instrumental in bringing Ice Castles to Lake George this winter. The attraction drew more than 80,000 visitors to the region.

The honorees will be celebrated at a community dinner on Friday, May 6, 2022, at the Fort William Henry Resort, 48 Canada Street, Lake George. The public is invited.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception in the Fort’s Tankard Tavern with dinner to follow in the White Lion dining room at 6:30 p.m. and a brief program at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person, of which $25 will go towards the Gene Merlino Scholarship Program at Hadley-Luzerne High School.

Tickets may be purchased online at https://fortwilliamhenry.hrpos.heartland.us/menu or by calling the Fort at (518)964-6628.

Featured photo: Hospitality leaders recognized at the Warren County Board of Supervisors March meeting. From left, Joanne Conley, Gina Mintzer, Kathy Muncil and Sara Mannix. Amy Collins is missing from the photo. Photo courtesy Warren County.