Senate Resolution No. 772
BY: Senator HELMING
HONORING Valerie Knoblauch upon the occasion of
her retirement after 41 years of distinguished
service to Ontario County as Director of Tourism on
May 31, 2025
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
longstanding traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Valerie Knoblauch upon the occasion of her retirement on May 31, 2025,
after 41 years of distinguished service to Ontario County as Director of
Tourism, more commonly known to the community as President & CEO of
Finger Lakes Visitors Connection; and
WHEREAS, For the past 41 years, Valerie Knoblauch has rendered
faithful and valuable service to the community, devoting her entire
career to promoting and growing the tourism industry in Ontario County
and advancing the Finger Lakes as a premier tourism destination,
supporting local businesses, jobs, and cultural offerings; and
WHEREAS, Valerie Knoblauch was hired as the first director of
tourism for Ontario County in 1984, bringing a love of the wine and
travel industries to the position, stemming in part from her previous
experience at Gold Seal Vineyards in Hammondsport, New York; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Valerie Knoblauch established
herself as a respected leader in tourism at the local, state, and
national levels; she has held numerous leadership roles, including
serving as a member of the Governor's Tourism Advisory Council for New
York State, chairing both the New York State Tourism Promotion Agency
Council and the New York State Travel and Vacation Association-prior to
their merger into the New York State Tourism Industry Association-and
leading the Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council as its chair; and
WHEREAS, Nationally, Valerie Knoblauch served as a board member of
US Travel - Travel Industry Association of America and as founding chair
of US Travel's National Council of Destination Organizations; and
WHEREAS, Valerie Knoblauch further served in various other
capacities, including as a New York Delegate to the White House
Conference on Travel and Tourism, and as a founding board member of
Women in Travel and Tourism; and
WHEREAS, Valerie Knoblauch has been a featured speaker nationally on
strategic planning, destination management, tourism as economic
development, community partnerships, and innovative marketing; and
WHEREAS, Due in large part to Valerie Knoblauch's contributions and
achievements, in 2023, traveler spending in Ontario County grew by
nearly 12 percent over the prior year-the second largest growth in the
Finger Lakes region-resulting in an economic impact of $341 million; and
WHEREAS, Valerie Knoblauch's influence extends to mentoring over 100
rising travel and tourism professionals over her career, cultivating the
next generation of leaders in the tourism and hospitality industry, and
holding adjunct faculty positions at Rochester Institute of Technology
Graduate School of Hospitality and Finger Lakes Community College; and
WHEREAS, Her community involvement reached beyond tourism as Valerie
Knoblauch was a longtime member of the Board of Education of the
Canandaigua City School District, the Finger Lakes Community College
Foundation Board of Directors, and the F.F. Thompson Health System
Continuing Care Center Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Among the many honors she has received throughout her
career, Valerie Knoblauch is a recipient of the esteemed 2023 New York
State Tourism Industry Association Excellence in Leadership Career and
Lifetime Achievement Award and the esteemed ATHENA Leadership Award from
the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Valerie Knoblauch received a Bachelor of Science degree in
English Education from the State University of New York at Oswego, a
Master of Business Administration degree from the Rochester Institute of
Technology, and a Certified Tour Professional (CTP) designation from the
National Tour Association; and
WHEREAS, In her well-deserved retirement, Valerie Knoblauch looks
forward to traveling with her husband, Kurt, especially to visit their
three sons and six grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Valerie Knoblauch's innumerable contributions over her
distinguished career have had a profound impact on growing the tourism
industry, enhancing the visitor experience, and improving the economic
vitality and quality of life in Ontario County; and
WHEREAS, Her enduring leadership and commitment have earned Valerie
Knoblauch the respect and admiration of her colleagues and peers,
locally, regionally, and statewide; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Valerie Knoblauch upon the occasion of her retirement after 41
years of distinguished service on May 31, 2025; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Valerie Knoblauch.
