St Lawrence Chamber of Commerce

06/17/2026

Congratulations to Basswood Lodgen Rensselaer Falls, recipient of the 2026 Best Destination Marketing STLC Tourism Excellence Award!

Through national media exposure, industry partnerships, professional retriever training programs, and a strong presence within the outdoor recreation market, Basswood Lodge has helped introduce new audiences to St. Lawrence County and the North Country experience.

Presented annually at the STLC Tourism Dinner, the Best Destination Marketing Award recognizes tourism businesses that successfully promote both their own operation and the destination as a whole.

Congratulations to Nick McNamara and the entire Basswood Lodge team on this well-deserved recognition. 🏆

Read the full award presentation remarks in the comments below. 👇

06/16/2026

Congratulations to Applewood Orchards in Rensselaer Falls, recipient of the 2026 Best to the Guest STLC Tourism Excellence Award!

Through seasonal attractions, special events, and a commitment to hospitality, Applewood has become a destination that keeps people coming back year after year. Their dedication to creating memorable experiences has made a positive impact on both residents and visitors.

Presented annually at the STLC Tourism Dinner, the Best to the Guest Award recognizes tourism businesses that go above and beyond to create exceptional guest experiences.

Congratulations to the entire Applewood team on this well-deserved honor. 🍎🏆

Read the full award presentation remarks in the comments below.👇

06/15/2026

🌱🤝 Rooted in Collaborative Competition.

Last week's STLC Tourism Dinner was more than an awards ceremony. It was an evening dedicated to the ideas, partnerships, and projects helping shape the future of tourism in St. Lawrence County.

Hosted in the newly renovated event space at the Ogdensburg International Airport, the program featured presentations from destination stewardship consultant Josiah Brown, Trails Coordinator Deb Christy, Arts Council Executive Director Erica Kelso, and County Historian Nancy LaFaver. Guests also learned about local America 250 initiatives, celebrated our 2026 Tourism Excellence Award recipients, and were among the first to see a new collection of Visit St. Lawrence County artwork created by local artist Catherine LaPointe-Vollmer of Lionheart Graphics.

Most importantly, the evening brought together people from across the county who share a common goal: creating a stronger, more competitive, and more vibrant St. Lawrence County.

There was far more packed into the evening than we can fit into a single Facebook post. Our Tourism Team has put together a full recap featuring speaker highlights, award winners, the artwork reveal, and key takeaways from the evening.

🏆 Applewood Orchards - 2026 Best to the Guest
🏆 Basswood Lodge – 2026 Best Destination Marketing

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, sponsored, volunteered, and helped make the evening possible. The enthusiasm, engagement, and support throughout the night were a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when we work together.

📖 Read the full recap:
https://business.visitstlc.com/news/details/collaboration-destination-development-focus-of-2026-stlc-tourism-dinner

06/12/2026

We're incredibly proud to see one of our Chamber members helping bring this exciting tourism project to life. As St. Lawrence County's Tourism Promotion Agent, our tourism team partnered with Chamber member Catherine LaPointe-Vollmer of Lionheart Graphics on a new creative initiative that celebrates the unique identity of the North Country.

Check out the full announcement from Visit St. Lawrence County below, and stay tuned for the official merchandise release on June 15! 👇🎨

🎨 NEW EXCLUSIVE STLC ARTWORK UNVEILED

The landscapes, waterways, and places that make St. Lawrence County special have been reimagined through a new series of original artwork by local artist Catherine LaPointe-Vollmer of Lionheart Graphics.

Inspired by the St. Lawrence Seaway, the River Valley, and the Adirondack Foothills, the collection captures the scenery, character, and sense of place that define the North Country.

Created exclusively for Visit St. Lawrence County, the artwork will be featured in a collection of merchandise that allows visitors and residents alike to take a piece of the North Country home with them.

Merchandise including posters, stickers, magnets, and postcards will be available for purchase starting Monday, June 15th at the STLC Visitor Center in Canton. More details coming soon!

06/12/2026

LAST CALL!!!
Don't miss this FREE afternoon networking and learning event designed just for owner-led businesses in the North Country!

Business Owners: Ready for More Profit and Less Stress?
If you are already working as hard as you can but still feel like your business is running you, working harder isn't the answer. There is a better way to scale, and it doesn't involve the 24/7 hustle.
Synergy Solutions, a fractional finance and exit planning firm, announces its new membership with the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and will introduce itself to the North Country business community at a free networking event on Saturday, June 13 at 1:30 PM at Esther’s Coffee House, 20 Andrews Street, Massena, NY.

📈 “More Profit. Less Stress.”
Founder Ryan McGarghan will walk you through the exact financial clarity, operating rhythms, and leadership shifts that help owners drive more profit, free up their time, and build a business that runs the way it should. Expect real frameworks, real numbers, and real stories from owners who have made the shift.
Come grab a coffee, network with fellow local leaders, and ask Ryan your questions in a relaxed, casual setting.

🗓️ When: Saturday, June 13 at 1:30 PM
📍 Where: Esther’s Coffee House (20 Andrews Street, Massena, NY)
💵 Cost: FREE! (Coffee and light snacks provided)
👉 RSVP appreciated but walk-ins are still welcome. Register at: https://business.visitstlc.com/events/details/business-mixer-at-esther-s-coffee-house-more-profit-less-stress-20813

We are also proud to use this event to celebrate Synergy Solutions and Esther’s Coffee House as new members of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce!
Huge thank you to all our incredible event sponsors: St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, ALIGN., Structural Wood Corporation, Upstate Doors, Kindle & Forge, the “From Burnt Out to Bought Out” Podcast, New Testament Church, and Esther’s Coffee House.

06/08/2026

What a great weekend!

06/08/2026

A good time was had by all!

CANTON — The 62nd annual Canton Dairy Festival parade was milking the fun June 6, as hundreds lined downtown streets for a celebration of all things dairy. There were about a dozen floats and …

06/06/2026

☀️🌧️ GREEN LIGHT FOR DAIRY FEST! The 1 p.m. Parade is officially a GO!

It’s 10 a.m. on Saturday, and we have our final weather determination: All Dairy Festival Days activities are moving forward exactly as scheduled today, including our giant 1 p.m. Parade!

While we might see some light rain and passing showers throughout the day, thunderstorms are absolutely not a threat. In true North Country style, a little drizzle isn't going to dampen our spirits—so grab your ponchos, bring your umbrellas, and come celebrate with us!

🎉 What a Night!
We kicked things off last night in spectacular fashion on the Village Green:

The Big Wheel Races were incredibly spirited, featuring nearly 40 young racers tearing up the track in front of an awesome hometown crowd! 🏁

The Block Dance kept the energy soaring with a massive crowd of dancers grooving to the fantastic sounds of Steelin' Country and the Adirondack Playboys. 🎸🎻

A Surprise Highlight: The crowd was treated to a spectacular special guest appearance by fire dancer Jon Lynch, who absolutely lit up the night! 🔥✨

📅 Today's Schedule (Saturday, June 6)
The fun doesn't stop. Head downtown to enjoy the final day of the festival:

All Day: Vendor booths, food trucks, and kids' activities on the Village Green.

The Main Event: The FFA Alumni Chicken Barbecue! A true festival staple, the FFA Alumni have been serving up their famous chicken at Dairy Fest for more than 30 years. Make sure to grab a dinner and support a wonderful tradition! 🍗🔥

1:00 PM: The Annual Dairy Festival Days Parade! (Line up along the route and show our community entries some major love!)

Thank you to everyone who made last night so magical. Let's keep that incredible momentum rolling today. See you at the parade! 🥛🍦🎉

06/03/2026

Registration for the 9th Annual STLC Tourism Dinner closes at the end of the day today.

Join tourism partners, businesses, attractions, and community leaders from across the county as we celebrate the people and partnerships helping shape our visitor economy.

Featured program highlights:
• Destination Stewardship Update with Josiah Brown
• Trails, Arts, Heritage & America 250 insights from Deb Christy, Erica Kelso, and Nancy LaFaver

2026 STLC Tourism Excellence Awards:
🏆 Best to the Guest: Applewood Orchards
🏆 Best Destination Marketing: Basswood Lodge

We'll also unveil the new St. Lawrence County poster series created in partnership Lionheart Graphics!

📍 Thursday, June 11
📍 Ogdensburg International Airport Great Room

Registration closes tonight:
VisitSTLC.com/tourism-dinner

06/01/2026

Dairy Festival Starts Friday!