Formed in the 1920’s, the Central Adirondack Association (CAA) has a long history of bringing area businesses together.
The organization was formed after a small group of area business owners recognized a common interest between them—the need for a hard surface road between Eagle Bay and Old Forge.
Becoming an official organization in 1929, the CAA, per its website, has continued to ascribe to the philosophy that while vacationers will come to the area naturally and will like it as it is, there will be others who will need to be tempted.
Utilizing that philosophy the current CAA—which now includes the area from Forestport to Long Lake—hosts, sponsors, and partners with many events in the region each year.
In addition to the big events like Snodeo and Snofest, CAA is also responsible for putting on Winter Carnival and Christmas on Main Street.
This February the organization will add the Polar Bear Ski Club’s Kandahar Race at McCauley to their list of locally sponsored events.
One of the CAA’s major interests is partnering with community members and business owners in executing new events, said Laurie Barkauskas, the organization’s event coordinator. One such event will be a triathlon which is planned this summer for the last week of August.
Their mission, according to Barkauskas, is to bring more people to the area for the benefit of the region, with an emphasis on those “shoulder” times that occur outside of the typically busy summer and winter seasons.
“Our goal has always been to put on shoulder events because obviously we’re busy in July and August, and hopefully in January and February too. But our goal was always to extend—to bring events into June and September,” Barkauskas said.
Today, the CAA’s membership includes approximately 275 members and has a 25-person Board of Directors.
Jim Holt, owner of the Seventh Lake House and CAA member, believes that through partnership with Town of Webb Publicity Director Mike Farmer, sponsoring of events, and working with communities from throughout the region, the CAA is a great benefit to all area businesses and community members.
Current CAA President Nick Bankert agrees.
“We are unique because the area is a resort, and we’d like to coordinate with our neighboring towns, on a long range program for the resort business,” Bankert said.
The CAA welcomes any and all ideas from its members and non-members on new events that will potentially draw more people to the area, Bankert added.
The CAA’s annual board of directors meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 18 at the Seventh Lake House and all are welcome to attend.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour, appetizers, and a cash bar. The cost is $10 per person.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and will include the announcement of the 2012 budget.
The debut of the organization’s annual Vacation Planner and Guide and its new website, visitmyadirondacks.com, will also take place at the gathering.
