ALBANY, N.Y. April 28, 2006 — The 525,000-member New York State United Teachers will bring its annual policy-making convention to Rochester next week, filling hotels and restaurants and generating an additional $5 million in economic activity for the city.
NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi said the union's 34th annual Representative Assembly, to be held May 4-6 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, will bring together all of the union's diverse constituencies. Teachers and other school employees — along with college faculty and professionals, health care professionals and retirees — will debate policy, set the union's legislative agenda and hear from candidates for governor and other elected positions.
Iannuzzi said nearly 2,500 delegates and alternates are expected, including 350 local union presidents who will attend a special 1 ½-day conference that begins Wednesday, May 3.
"Rochester is a great city for us. It's a plus for everyone when educators who live and earn their salaries in New York can help boost the economy in one of our upstate cities," Iannuzzi said.
The projected economic impact of $5 million takes into account the 4,500 room-nights booked at nine hotels by convention delegates, union leaders and NYSUT staff, as well as spending on meals, transportation, entertainment, souvenirs and shopping. The overall projection, using a formula from the state Department of Economic Development, includes the spin-off effect from delegates' spending.
"A convention the size of the New York State United Teachers is quite significant in its economic impact to our community," said Ed Hall, president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Visitors Association. "Besides attending meetings, we expect the delegates will dine in our restaurants, shop in our stores and visit the many museums and attractions in the area. We look forward to welcoming NYSUT members, hope that they enjoy their time in Rochester, and that they'll want to visit again soon," he added.
NYSUT, which generally alternates its convention sites among upstate, Washington , D.C., and New York City, previously visited Rochester in 1995 and 2001.
NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 525,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.