Industry Influencer Series: Economic Impact of Saratoga County Tourism

Registration has been closed. 
We will welcome Walk-Ins with $25 Cash at the Door.

Presented by the Saratoga County Chamber in Partnership
with Discover Saratoga & Saratoga Springs City Center

Join us for the second installment of the Industry Influencers Series in 2025, an exclusive benefit for members of the Saratoga County Chamber and also for Discover Saratoga members! 

This engaging panel discussion will feature prominent leaders from Saratoga's most iconic institutions, offering invaluable insights into the region's tourism landscape and future growth opportunities.

Panelists Include:

• David O'Rourke, CEO of NYRA (New York Racing Association)

• Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center)

• Matt Cudemo, Director of Hotel Operations at the Saratoga Casino Hotel
• Teddy Foster, Director of Universal Preservation Hall 
• Ryan McMahon, Saratoga Springs City Center

Our esteemed panelists will share their expertise on trends, challenges, and strategies shaping Saratoga's thriving tourism industry. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how these key organizations contribute to the area's economic vitality and how businesses can align with upcoming initiatives.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders, expand your professional network, and stay informed about the future of Saratoga tourism.

Saratoga County Chamber members can register online with their login.  If you are a member of only Discover Saratoga, please visit their site at www.DiscoverSaratoga.Org.  

About Our Panelists:


Matthew Cudemo, Saratoga Casino Hotel
Matt Cudemo has over 20 years of experience in the hotel industry. He has extensive knowledge in revenue and yield management and a passion for employee training to ensure strong retention and satisfaction among his team.
Mr. Cudemo joined Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC in 2017 and oversees hotel operations for the company. This includes the AAA 4-Diamond hotel at Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY and the Best Western Signature Hotel affiliated with Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel in Natchez, MS.
Under his leadership, both hotel occupancy rates and overall revenue have increased at each property and he has developed a staff of dedicated and enthusiastic team members. In addition, Saratoga Casino Hotel received the prestigious AAA 4-Diamond Award - one of only three hotels in NY Capital District, and he also introduced a hotel rewards program
Throughout his career, Mr. Cudemo has held progressively responsible roles at Choice Hotels, Hilton and Marriot brands. Just prior to joining Saratoga Casino Hotel, Mr. Cudemo was the General Manager at Courtyard By Marriot in Clifton Park, New York where he was recognized for increasing guest satisfaction scores high enough to rank the hotel number four out of nearly 1,000 hotels. He also has experience opening three hotels in the Capital District.
Mr. Cudemo is a graduate of Schenectady County Community College with a Hospitality and Tourism Management degree (A.A.S.).


Teddy Foster, Universal Preservation Hall
Teddy is the Director at Universal Preservation Hall (UPH). She joined UPH as a member of the
Board of Trustees in September, 2006. In 2009, she was elected President and remained in that
position until July, 2015.
In 2015, she formalized a partnership with Proctors Collaborative to bring UPH into their
business plan as an affiliate. To further this mission, Teddy was hired by Proctors as Campaign
Director for UPH and led the way through a successful $14 million capital campaign which was
needed to complete the restoration of the historic building. UPH?s Grand Opening was on
February 29, 2020.
Teddy is a graduate of Skidmore College. She has been honored as one of Saratoga Today's
Women of Influence; and as one of the Saratoga Twenty by Saratoga Living Magazine. She is a
past member of the Discover Saratoga Board, and the Leadership Saratoga Advisory Board.
Currently, Teddy is a member of the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association Board of
Directors.
Contact: tfoster@atuph.org


Ryan McMahon, Saratoga Springs City Center
Ryan joined the staff of the City Center in 2011 as the Operations Manager before taking over as Executive Director in 2017. Before moving to Saratoga Springs he spent twelve years in New York City working as a Broadway and off-Broadway Production Manager as the Director of the Times Center. Over his career, Ryan has emphasized developing less seasoned staff members and providing opportunities for advancement. He understands the important economic development role that City Center plays in Saratoga Springs and looks forward to continuing its tradition of excellence.   When not at work Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife Colleen and their young daughters and traveling as a family.



David O'Rourke, New York Racing Association
David O’Rourke joined The New York Racing Association (NYRA) as
director of Financial Planning in 2008 and was named vice president for
Corporate Development in 2010. In 2013, he was appointed chief revenue
officer and senior vice president. In that position, O’Rourke was
responsible for NYRA’s business development strategies across a range of
disciplines including industry relations, simulcast markets and contracts,
television strategy, advance deposit wagering (ADW) operations, and
capital projects.
Prior to joining NYRA, O’Rourke was a member of the Zolfo Cooper and
Capstone Advisory Group Corporate Restructuring Practices, specializing in
multiple operational and financial reorganization efforts in the real estate
development, gaming, auto manufacturing, retailing, and shipping
industries. He also served as vice president of operations at Datek Online
and was instrumental in helping the company develop into the world’s
fourth largest online brokerage.
O’Rourke is a member of the NYRA board of directors. He serves on the
board of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the Thoroughbred
Racing Associations of America, and the Management Committee of
Equibase. He is also a board director of the Racing Medication and Testing
Consortium (RMTC), and serves on the RMTC Executive Committee and
Finance Committees. 


Elizabeth Sobol, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Elizabeth Sobol is a highly accomplished and respected figure in the performing arts and music industry, currently serving as the President and CEO of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) since 2016. 
She is responsible for leading the renowned venue into its sixth decade.
She has implemented initiatives connecting art and nature, such as the "Out of this World Festival".
She fosters collaborations within the local arts and business communities. She is passionate about music of all genres, from classical to pop, hip-hop, and jazz.  She is an avid reader with broad interests, including poetry, literary novels, physics, Eastern philosophy, and neuroscience.