Ulster County Tourism is launching a new community conversation series aimed at gathering public input on the future of the county’s tourism industry.
The initiative, called “Coffee with the Director,” will bring Tourism Director Lisa Berger to municipalities across the county for informal discussions with residents, business owners, elected officials and tourism stakeholders. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27.
According to the county, the gatherings are intended to create an open forum for discussing what is working well in local communities, the challenges businesses and residents face, and what support may be needed to strengthen the visitor economy.
“Our tourism economy belongs to everyone — the business owners who show up every day, the residents who share their home with visitors, and the elected leaders who help shape how our communities grow,” Berger said in a statement. “I want to hear from all of them — not through a survey, not through a report, but in person, over coffee, in their own communities. That’s what this series is about.”
Jen Metzger said tourism remains one of the county’s major economic drivers and encouraged residents and local leaders to participate.
“Tourism is one of Ulster County’s strongest economic engines, and it works best when the people that live and work here have the opportunity to shape our tourism strategy in meaningful ways,” Metzger said. “I encourage residents, business owners, and local leaders to meet with Tourism Director Lisa Berger for coffee and share what you’re seeing on the ground and how we can make sure tourism delivers the kinds of benefits you want to see in your communities.”
County officials said topics may include business conditions affecting hospitality and tourism operators, gaps in county services or infrastructure, opportunities for collaboration and long-term priorities for sustainable tourism development.
The meetings are free and open to the public. Each session will last about 90 minutes, and county officials said notes from the discussions will be compiled into a public summary at the end of the series.
The first scheduled meetings are:
- Wednesday, May 27, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Underground Café
- Tuesday, June 2, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at The Big Cheese
- Thursday, June 11, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Brooklyn Sour
- Friday, June 26, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Fermata Café
- Wednesday, July 1, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Bread Alone
Additional meeting dates and locations will be announced through Visit Ulster County NY.