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THOUSAND ISLANDS REGIONAL TOURISM
ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY · EIN 161516181 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE S30 · Community Improvement · Small ($100K-$1M) · visit1000islands.com
revenue
$938K
expenses
$984K
net assets
$475K
employees
0
program ratio
97%
mission · from form 990

THE COUNCIL WAS FORMED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, PROMOTION, ENHANCEMENT AND RETENTION OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, AND ITS ASSOCIATED EMPLOYMENT BASE WITHIN THE CORPORATION'S REGION, FOR THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF THE REGION, AS AN AGENCY, TO CORRELATE THE EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OR AGENCIES, AND AFFECTED PRIVATE BUSINESS INTERESTS, AND TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFECT OF THEIR COMBINED EFFORTS AND RESPECTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT, RETENTION AND PROMOTION OF THE RECREATION AND TOURISM INDUSTRY THROUGH OUT THE REGION, THEREBY LESSENING THE BURDENS OF GOVERNMENT AND ACTING IN THE PUBLIC INTERESTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Regional tourism organization promoting the Thousand Islands area in Northern New York State and Southeastern Ontario for economic benefit through visitor development and retention. Focuses on marketing the region's natural, cultural, and recreational attractions including castles, wineries, boat tours, and state parks. Serves travelers seeking accessible outdoor and heritage experiences on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Accessible Tourism Guide
Provides verified accessibility information for hotels, attractions, tours, and transportation options in the Thousand Islands region to support inclusive travel planning.
Boatless in the 1000 Islands
Offers itineraries and resources for experiencing the region without private boat ownership, including state park access, rentals, and tour options.
Regional Events Calendar
Curates and promotes local festivals and events such as Rockin’ the Bay and the 1000 Islands Wine & Food Festival to attract seasonal visitors.
Visit 1000 Islands Website & Content Hub
Central platform providing travel guides, community spotlights, and curated itineraries to promote regional tourism.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Regional Tourism Promotion 5 activities
    • Convention and meeting venue promotion
      Markets and promotes meeting, conference, and convention venues in the Thousand Islands region, including waterfront resorts and national brand hotels, to attract business and group travel.
    • Destination marketing for weddings and special events
      Markets the 1000 Islands region as a destination for weddings, vow renewals, honeymoons, and milestone anniversaries, promoting scenic and memorable visitor experiences.
    • Regional events and cultural activities calendar
      Maintains and promotes a regional events calendar highlighting festivals and cultural activities, particularly during the warmer months, to support visitor engagement.
    • Regional tourism promotion and economic development
      Develops, promotes, and retains the tourism industry and associated employment base in the Thousand Islands region for economic benefit, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Jefferson County, New York, and coordinating international marketing efforts with destination marketing organizations in southeastern Ontario.
    • Scenic region promotion: the “Golden Crescent”
      Highlights the 30-mile Lake Ontario shoreline from Henderson Harbor to Chaumont, known as the “Golden Crescent,” promoting its natural scenery, historical landmarks, and family-friendly attractions to enhance visitor experience.
  • Outdoor Recreation Access Promotion 3 activities
    • Promotion of outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism
      Encourages visitation and physical activity by promoting walking, hiking, sunset viewing, fall foliage boat tours, winter recreation (skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding), and access to boat launches for anglers, particularly across ten signature preserves managed by the 1000 Islands Land Trust.
    • Promotion of scenic and themed boat tours
      Highlights daily sightseeing, dining, and themed boat tours offered by local operators including Clayton Island Tours and Uncle Sam Boat Tours, and promotes fall foliage viewing via boat tours on the St. Lawrence River operated by City Cruises Gananoque.
    • Promotion of state parks and historic sites
      Highlights New York State Parks as a gateway to waterfront campgrounds, marinas, boat rentals, and lighthouse sites, and promotes the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site for its interpretation of War of 1812 history.
  • Visitor Information and Trip Planning Services 2 activities
    • Promotion of family-friendly and affordable vacation experiences
      Markets affordable family vacations in the 1000 Islands region, highlighting river and lake towns, authentic experiences, and memorable activities for families.
    • Visitor travel information and trip planning services
      Provides practical visitor information including estimated travel times to the 1000 Islands International Bridge, accessibility details for hotels and attractions, and a comprehensive accessibility guide covering transportation, lodging, activities, and dining.
  • Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
    • Arts and cultural programming through the Thousand Islands Arts Center
      Operates the expanded Thousand Islands Arts Center, a 13,000-square-foot facility featuring gallery space, three ADA-compliant classrooms, and an enhanced annual schedule of art classes, workshops, exhibitions, youth camps, and special programs, including children's education in multiple art forms.
  • Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
    • Operation of the Handweaving Museum
      Operates the Handweaving Museum, a significant cultural resource preserving the history and craft of handweaving, featuring an extensive collection of textiles, tools, and archival materials.
  • Craft Beverage Tourism Trails 1 activity
    • Promotion of craft beverage tourism
      Highlights craft beverage venues including wineries, distilleries, and breweries accessible near state park locations in the 1000 Islands region to support visitor engagement and regional economic activity.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Advocacy and support for tourism infrastructure
      Supported the opening of a new terminal at Watertown International Airport in November 2025 with modern amenities, reflecting ongoing advocacy for regional tourism infrastructure improvements.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$938K
Contributions & grants$693K74%
Program service revenue$226K24%
Investment income$19K2%
Other revenue$155
expenses
Total expenses$984K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$36K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$551K
Cash$404K
Investments$0
Liabilities$77K
Net assets$475K
Liquid reserves4.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +15.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
COREY FRAM DIRECTOR OF TOURISM 40 $97K
board members · 9
  • JAMES CORBIN — CHAIRMAN
  • JODY PETTIT — VICE-CHAIRPERSON
  • MARK PRASUHN — DIRECTOR
  • MICHELLE CARON — DIRECTOR
  • PETER JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
  • PEYTON TAYLOR — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT HAGEMANN — DIRECTOR
  • RON THOMSON — SECRETARY/TREASURER
  • TIMOTHY STURICK — DIRECTOR
relationships · 42

Who they work with

  • 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours Partner — Partner providing helicopter tours for small groups, offering scenic aerial views and photo opportunities.
  • 1000 Islands Kayaking Partner — Partner offering guided kayaking tours to nearby islands from Joel Stone Heritage Park.
  • 1000 Islands Land Trust Partner — Promotes public access to ten signature nature preserves as part of active tourism and outdoor recreation offerings.
  • Alexandria Bay Partner — Partner community serving as a central home base for families, offering river swimming, parks, and family-style dining.
  • American Airlines Partner — Provides twice-daily jet service to Watertown International Airport from Philadelphia.
  • Antique Boat Museum Partner — Partner museum offering family activities such as riding antique speedboats and sailing St. Lawrence Skiffs with instructor support.
  • Antique Boat Museum Partner — Promoted as a museum in Clayton offering rowing skiffs and classic cruise experiences on the St. Lawrence River.
  • Boldt Castle Partner — Boldt Castle is featured as a visible landmark during sunset viewing from Scenic View Park in Alexandria Bay.
  • Boldt Castle Partner — Promoted as the region’s top attraction, accessible by boat tour or private vessel on Heart Island in Alexandria Bay.
  • Canada Border Services Agency Government — Provides contact information and directs travelers to Canada Border Services Agency for official customs and immigration information.
  • City Cruises Gananoque Partner — Collaborates to promote boating, dining, shopping, and fall foliage cruises as key tourist experiences in the 1000 Islands region.
  • Clayton Island Tours Partner — Partner providing glass-bottom boat tours with views of shipwrecks and underwater scenes, including a stop at Rock Island Lighthouse.
  • Clayton Island Tours Partner — Promoted as a provider of daily sightseeing, dining, and themed boat tours in the 1000 Islands.
  • County of Jefferson, New York Government — Largest financial supporter and source of occupancy tax funds; the TI Council contracts as the official tourism promotion agency for the county.
  • Federal Bridge Corporation Limited Partner — Operating partner of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority and financial supporter of the TI Council.
  • Indian River Lakes Conservancy (IRLC) Partner — Collaborates by promoting IRLC's public trails as part of regional tourism offerings.
  • Joel Stone Heritage Park Partner — Partner park in Gananoque, Ontario, offering a protected beach, art park, splash pad, and access to kayaking and boating history.
  • Lake Ontario Fishing Partner — Collaborates to provide a map of lake and river boat launches for anglers.
  • Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Partner — Collaborates to promote the marine sanctuary's historic shipwrecks as a regional tourism asset.
  • Minna Anthony Common Nature Center Partner — Partners to promote hiking trails within Wellesley Island State Park as part of regional tourism offerings.
  • New York State Department of Economic Development Government — Authorizes use of the "I LOVE NEW YORK" trademark for regional tourism promotion.
  • New York State Parks Partner — Collaborates to promote waterfront campgrounds, marinas, boat rentals, and historic sites in the 1000 Islands region.
  • New York State Parks Partner — Promotes state parks including Southwick Beach, Robert G. Wehle, Westcott Beach, Long Point, and Black Pond Wildlife Management Area as key recreational destinations.
  • Old McDonald’s Farm Partner — Partner farm attraction featuring over 1,000 animals, a petting zoo, farm tours, and homemade ice cream.
  • River Yoga Partner — Partners to promote yoga classes along the St. Lawrence River as part of wellness-focused tourism.
  • Robert G. Wehle State Park Partner — Highlights Robert G. Wehle State Park as a key location for viewing sunsets over Henderson Harbor.
  • Sackets Harbor Battlefield Partner — Partner historic site offering immersive family experiences at the Navy Yard and open grounds of the battlefield.
  • Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site Government — Promoted as a historic site interpreting the War of 1812, located on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario.
  • Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site Partner — Features Sackets Harbor Battlefield Park as a recommended site for sunset picnics and evening recreation.
  • Singer Castle Partner — Promoted as a four-story castle on Dark Island accessible via boat tours and private vessels, offering guided tours and overnight stays.
+ 12 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Binational Tourism Development
    methodology: international_partnership_model
    By aligning tourism promotion and development across U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions, we strengthen regional industry growth and visitor engagement because cross-border coordination enhances marketing reach, visitor experience continuity, and economic resilience in a geographically interdependent region.
  • Experiential and Cultural Tourism Integration
    methodology: cultural_tourism_for_year-round_visitiation
    By offering immersive, diverse, and culturally rich experiences—including historic sites, arts programming, and local cuisine—we extend visitation beyond seasonal peaks and attract deeper engagement because multifaceted, place-based experiences increase perceived value and encourage year-round travel.
  • Nature-Based and Accessible Tourism Promotion
    methodology: accessibility_transparency
    By highlighting regionally unique natural attractions and integrating public infrastructure with accessibility information, we broaden visitor access and engagement because inclusive, nature-centered experiences lower barriers to entry and appeal to diverse traveler needs, including wellness and family reconnecting.