A Cornell University food security conference held in October brought around 700 people from more than 60 countries to Ithaca to confront the global challenges of providing reliable and healthy food to a booming human population. Impacts from the event are sure to pay dividends over many years, but the event has earned a more immediate recognition: accolades from the Tompkins County Legislature for its role in spurring the local economy.
On Dec. 15, the legislature presented conference organizers with one of two annual Tompkins Tourism Partner Awards that recognize the economic impact conferences and meetings have on Ithaca and Tompkins County.
The award honored Chris Barrett, the Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor and the David J. Nolan Director of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Anna Hammond from International Programs and Craig Ryan, events planner and producer in Cornell’s Dyson School, for their work organizing the Second International Conference on Global Food Security. The conference, co-chaired by Barrett and Cheryl Palm of Columbia University, focused on identifying innovative methods arising from research in a wide range of disciplines, including agriculture, nutrition, environmental sciences, government policy and social sciences. Held Oct. 11-14 at Cornell, the conference was responsible for at least 500 hotel room night stays and generated tens of thousands of dollars in revenue for shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
“Our small team is extremely honored for this special recognition,” said Hammond, event coordinator in IP-CALS. “We believe it was very beneficial for Cornell University and the city of Ithaca to host such a diverse international community of scientists, researchers, policy makers, journalist and other stakeholders.”
Mary Rachun from the Ithaca Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau also shared in the award dedicated to the food security conference. The Tompkins County Department of Planning credited her work developing, coordinating and planning of transportation for the event.
Legislators presented the awardees with a framed certificate honoring their work at their Dec. 15 legislative session. In the spring, engraved stone pavers commemorating the awards will be installed at the Stewart Park Trailhead of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail.
The other Tourism Partner award went to Diane Hicks-Hughes, aquatics director for the Lansing Central School District, for her work with the New York State High School Girls’ Swimming and Diving Championships held at Ithaca College in November.
Legislature Chairman Mike Lane, D-Dryden in a statement acknowledged the impacts of both events for the Tompkins County economy, saying they “helped generate thousands of dollars in visitor spending and many businesses have prospered due to their events. They are fine examples of what it means to be a Tourism Partner.”
