named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Long Island TV
YouTube series featuring LiLi, a mobile visitor center, showcasing local attractions and hidden gems across Long Island
Long Island Tea Podcast
Weekly podcast providing insider tips, seasonal adventures, and destination stories hosted by Discover Long Island staff
Meetings & Groups
Service connecting event planners with venues, accommodations, and logistics for conferences and group travel
Sports Event Planning
Program supporting the planning and recruitment of youth, amateur, and professional sporting events to Long Island
Weddings
Free concierge service assisting couples in finding wedding venues, vendors, accommodations, and transportation on Long Island
You BeLong
Video and storytelling campaign highlighting personal connections to Long Island, promoting community and visitor engagement
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 1 activity
- Business and individual relocation supportProvides resources and support for business and individual relocation to Long Island as part of broader economic development and destination promotion efforts.
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Digital Communications and Content Management 1 activity
- Digital and media content productionProduces a YouTube video series (Long Island TV), a weekly podcast highlighting local events and insights, and award-winning campaigns such as the "You BeLONG" video, achieving an audience reach of over 10 million across 11 social media channels and digital platforms.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Event promotion and calendar managementProduces and maintains a calendar of events and distributes a biweekly e-newsletter featuring exclusive information on signature events, seasonal activities, and destination recommendations to inform visitors and residents about happenings across Long Island.
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Organized Running and Triathlon Events 1 activity
- Sporting events hosting and promotionHosts and promotes professional, amateur, and youth sporting events—including major championships such as the U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, Iron Man Race, and Hamptons Classic Horse Show—and provides a platform for event organizers to submit RFPs and promotes Long Island as a sports destination via a PlayEasy profile.
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Regional Tourism Promotion 1 activity
- Tourism and destination marketing for Long IslandActs as the official destination marketing organization for Long Island, promoting the region to tourists, meeting planners, and event organizers to support economic development through tourism, conventions, trade shows, and sporting events.
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Visitor Information and Trip Planning Services 1 activity
- Traveler information and trip planning resourcesProvides trip planning tools including an Inspiration Guide, seasonal recreational activity guides (beaches, water parks, museums, theaters), and a mobile visitor center (LiLi, a converted ice cream truck) that connects travelers with local experts and highlights destinations across Long Island.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Wedding planning and venue coordination servicesOffers free wedding planning assistance to couples, including help identifying venues, securing guest accommodations, and arranging transportation and other services on Long Island.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.13M
Contributions & grants$777K13%
Program service revenue$5.25M86%
Investment income$90K1%
Other revenue$8K
expenses
Total expenses$5.50M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$2.16M
Grants paid out$307K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.71M
Cash$1.23M
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.36M
Net assets$5.35M
Liquid reserves2.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +27.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristen Reynolds | President & CEO | 40 | $297K |
| Sharon Wyman | COO | 40 | $127K |
board members · 23
- Bryan Deluca — Board Member
- Bryan Grimaldi — Board Member
- Cara Longworth — Board Member
- Daniel Lloyd — Board Member
- David Widmer — Board Member
- Dorothy Roberts — Board Member
- Gail Lamberta — Board Member
- George Gorman Jr — Board Member
- Gus Montesantos — Treasurer
- Jerol Bailey — Board Member
- Kevin Molloy County Rep — Board Member
- Kristen Reyes-Porciello — Board Member
- Laura Mercogliano — Board Member
- Leo Daunt — Board Member
- Marc Weinstein — Vice CHAIR
- Matthew Cohen — Board Member
- Michael Bonakdar — Board Member
- Michael Nenner — Secretary
- Mike Santeramo — Board Member
- Mitchell Pally — Chairman
- Savita Arora — Board Member
- Shelley LaRose-Arken — Board Member
- Steve Kirschbaum — Board Member
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Long Island Rail Road Partner — Collaborates on promoting car-free itineraries using rail access to tourist destinations across Long Island.
- Long Island Wine Country Partner — Corporate partner promoted on Discover Long Island's website and social channels.
- MTA Long Island Rail Road Partner — Corporate partner promoted on Discover Long Island's website and social channels.
- National Grid Partner — Corporate partner promoted on Discover Long Island's website and social channels.
- New York State Economic Development Government — Partner organization providing regional economic development resources for Long Island.
- News 12 Partner — East End media partnership for promoting Long Island.
- PSEG LI Partner — Corporate partner promoted on Discover Long Island's website and social channels.
- PlayEasy Partner — Partner platform used to promote Long Island as a destination for sporting events and to support event planning.
- PlayEasy Partner — Partner platform used to promote Long Island as a destination for sporting events.
- Proactive Partner — Corporate partner promoted on Discover Long Island's website and social channels.
- Sands Casino Partner — Corporate partner promoted on Discover Long Island's website and social channels.
- Spotify Partner — Hosts a Long Island-themed playlist linked through Discover Long Island's promotional content.
- Suffolk County IDA Partner — Collaborates to provide financial incentives for business development and retention.
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.
- Destination Marketing through Authentic Local Storytellingmethodology: local_insider_storytellingBy showcasing local, off-the-beaten-path experiences through resident perspectives and narrative formats like podcasts and video series, we increase visitor engagement and visitation because authentic storytelling fosters emotional connection and a sense of insider access to the destination.
- Research-Informed Partnership Marketing Modelmethodology: research-driven_marketingBy integrating consumer research and trend analysis into a membership-based partnership model, we align regional marketing efforts with visitor behavior, increasing business visibility and visitation because data-driven promotion enhances relevance and coordination across stakeholders.
- Seasonal and Thematic Destination Positioningmethodology: seasonal-tourism-promotionBy promoting Long Island’s seasonal recreational opportunities, scenic waterfronts, and specialized infrastructure (e.g., sports, weddings), we attract targeted visitor segments because aligning marketing with time-bound and interest-based demand increases conversion and destination utilization.