By Mark Polaski
New York State is often differentiated from “New York” which heralds the great City of New York, and accounts for nearly 40% of the states population. However the state offers a broad spectrum of surroundings, from rural farmlands to vineyards, to the most chic of urban environments.
Western New York State hosts Camp Findley in Clymer. Situated along Route 426 this site has over 140 acres, a beautiful waterfront, and a quarter mile of shoreline on Findley Lake. It provides facilities for groups to conduct their own retreats, meetings, worship services, and program activities.
To the northeast and central between Lake Erie and the southern border of the state is Silver Lake. Asbury Camp and Retreat Center is a premier retreat center that offers a variety of facilities. This site occupies over 60 acres and over a quarter mile of shoreline on Silver Lake, Ideal for more intimate programming.
Due east and in the heart of the Finger Lakes is Keuka College. Keuka gives quality service to events big and small. The campus office offers assistance with event planning, year round conference and meeting rooms, overnight summer accommodations, on-campus dining and catering services.
Casowasco Camp Conference and Retreat Center also resides in the Finger Lakes. This site has 200 wooded acres and a slice of shoreline. Casowasco is conveniently located between Syracuse, Rochester and Ithaca. 
To the north along Route 21 is Greig, bordering Whetstone Gulf State Park, home to Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center. With gorgeous views on three Adirondack Lakes and facilities for groups to conduct their own retreats, meetings, worship services, and programs, you can’t go wrong. Bordering Vermont and nestled along the western shore of Lake George is the Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center. Silver Bay offers a comprehensive approach to conferencing, providing a variety of accommodations, unique meeting spaces, and an array of programs to enrich the conference experience as well as activities that build a healthy spirit, mind, & body.
South along Interstate 86 not far from Binghamton is Windsor and the home of Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center. Sky Lake's rustic charm and comfortable surroundings await your arrival. Whether you come for a few hours or a few days these year-round facilities offer the perfect setting for a week-long retreat or a daylong conference.
East and south again is Lock Sheldrake and the Sullivan County Community College. Located on a beautiful 405-acre campus in the Catskill Mountains it is also within a two hour drive of the New York City metro area and provides close proximity to both interstate and international travel hubs.
Headed toward New York City and situated on a hillside overlooking picturesque Hudson River is Nyack College. Victorian and Tudor-style buildings reflect the charm of the area. Less than 30 miles from Manhattan and only ten minutes from Palisades Center Mall, historical Nyack Village is a great mid-point between the urban and the rural to host your event for up to 1000 participants.
Across the Hudson and in Long Island Sound along the north shore of Long Island is Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center. Innovation abounds at this elegant Long Island estate. Nestled on 55 inspiring acres just outside Manhattan, Glen Cove’s 29,500 square feet of meeting space provides ample room to create endless possibilities for meeting success, while 187 well-appointed guest rooms provide exceptional comfort.
Out toward the Atlantic Ocean along the sound is Stony Brook, right in the heart of the West Meadow Wetlands Reserve. Stony Brook University – Student Activities Center and Stony Brook Union offer 3 ballrooms, 2 auditoriums and dozens of meeting rooms to choose from, there will certainly be a perfect match for your event! The facilities can support event sizes ranging from an 8-person conference to a 600-person movie viewing and everything in between.
Inland is Long Island University/LIU post. The LIU Post Campus is an ideal setting for your next meeting. The campus is located 40 minutes from New York City, 30 minutes from LGA and JFK Airports. World-class beaches, restaurants and historic sites are minutes from the campus.
With so many venues available, New York State will be a great choice for your next event!