The “Hometown Hero” program through the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau honors people who bring a group that might not come to Saratoga without their connection.

The seven recipients were: Kathy Marchione, Alan Mallanda, Bob Marois, Chris Reed, Joseph Berlant, Dave Merriman and Tim McGuigan.

According to the Convention and Tourism Bureau the seven “heroes” involvement in getting these meetings/conventions to the city brought more than 6,000 visitors and resulted in $6.2 million in direct spending on goods and services.

David Zunker, president of the Convention and Tourism Bureau, thanked the honorees for everything they’ve done, in bringing these conventions to town. He said Saratoga Springs is a premiere destination for many reasons and when local people sell the city to conventions they are involved in, helps the bureau’s staff.

Since the inception of the “Hometown Hero” program 23 years ago, 106 locals have been honored.

Zunker said this is the time of the year to look back, assess and give thanks for all that has happened.

“It is a real pleasure to represent a true destination like Saratoga Springs,” he said. “The hometown heroes are part of the reason we had a great 2007.”

Mayor Valarie Keehn thanked the “heroes” on behalf of the entire city.

“It’s a great pleasure to welcome visitors to our city,” Keehn said.

She said hearing how wonderful the city is from visitors is a great feeling and makes Saratoga Springs a success.

“The hometown heroes go above and beyond by bringing in conventions or events to Saratoga Springs,” Keehn said.

She said it shows the necessity and value of bringing conventions to town.

Reed said it was nice to be honored and be acknowledged for bringing the convention to town.

“I’m just doing my job,” he said.

Marois brought 500 members of the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association to the city in September. He said he was looking at bringing the New England chapter to Saratoga for a weekend reunion.

“In the course of that it came up to hold the national convention here,” Marois said. “The site committee fell in love with Saratoga Springs.”

The group stayed in the city for five days and four nights.

Marois said members told him they loved Saratoga Springs and the hometown Americana nature of the city. He said normally the annual convention is held in a large city like Syracuse, Rochester or Buffalo.

“The reunion has never been had in a small town, American city,” he said. “It was a nice change of pace for them.”

Reed, the regional director of New York State Middle School Association, said the annual conference travels around the state and doesn’t have a good host city in this region. He said the association was last held in Saratoga Springs in 1993, but after the latest stint here in October, members can’t wait to come back.

“It was a very successful conference,” Reed said. “They definitely want to come back in five years.”

Over the two-day convention more than 2,000 people came to Saratoga Springs.

“Saratoga sold itself to the NCVA,” Marois said.

The following are the 2007 Home Town Heroes:

Dave Merriman

Saratoga Youth Hockey Tournament

Winter 2007

Tim McGuiggan

Don Kauth Memorial Hockey Tournament

Winter 2007

Kathy Marchione

NYS Association of County Clerks

June 2007

160 attendees

Alan Mallanda

National Executive Directors Council of State Athletic Associations

July 2007

100 attendees

Bob Marois

Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association

September 2007

500 attendees

Chris Reed

NYS Middle School Association

October 2007

2,000 attendees

Joseph Berlant

World Fantasy Convention

October/November 2007

1,000 attendees