State AOH Convention To Boost Local Businesses

The Pearl River Hilton sold out well in advance of this week's New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians Convention.

That may make the hotel the most direct financial benificiary of the event, but it is far from the only one.

"People will be staying here and other hotels with the overflow, but those are not the only sites people will be taking advantage of in Rockland County," said Pearl River Hilton General Manager William Maloney. "I'm sure the restaurants, bars and shops in Pearl River will benefit. We're excited about that. What's good for them is good for us."

The convention could provide long-term as well as short-term financial benefits for Pearl River, Orangetown and the surrounding area with the influx of approximately 600 visitors and the potential for return business.

"It is a tremendous economic boon," said Orangetown Supervisor Paul Whalen. "What it's doing is bringing a lot of economic development into the town, allowing the town to showcase its Irish heritage, which is important to the town. Anything that enhances the cultural experience like this is very, very valuable to the community."

Taking full advantage of the opportunity is why the Pearl River Chamber of Commerce and the Rockland County Department of Tourism helped the AOH put together A Lark in the Park, a free concert starting 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Pearl River's Central Avenue Field.

"The Hibernians were looking to do one public event and draw conventioneers into town," said Patrick Holt, vice president of the Pearl River Chamber of Commerce. "It gives the community the opportunity to enjoy this week and the convention.

"We're excited. To have so many conventioneers in town, plus the communty, Central Avenue Field will be as packed as it was for July 4."

The Rockland County Department of Tourism has also been helping promote the event through its email blasts.

"I met with (Rockland County AOH President) Vince Tyer a couple of months ago on this," said Rockland County Tourism Director C.J. Miller. "We were planning what kind of showcase event they could put on to put Pearl River in the spotlight and get people into Pearl River. People will go for the restaurants and the stores. There is a lot to do there."

Many local businesses such as T.F. Noonan's and The Horse & Jockey Restaurant will be bringing in live music, as will the Pearl River Hibernian House. Many local restaurants are also running specials this week for the convention.

"The Chamber members are excited to welcome the conventioneers with open arms," Holt said. "That evening, we're looking forward to people staying in town. We will have live music at three or four bars in town. It will be a great night even after the concert is over.

"I think it's great, especially at a slow time of year. We're supportive of the Irish organizations in town all year. We're proud to show off our music and charitable groups in town. We want to get people out to the bars and restaurants and specialty stores."

The event also provides the opportunity for Pearl River to show it can be a destination for future conventions and other types of events.

"Pearl River will become a destination point for people in the AOH," Miller said. "These (visitors) are very active. They are going to remember. We're going to make a good impression in Pearl River. I think this will help Pearl River become a destination spot."

"Most of these events are held in Syracuse or Albany," Holt said. "The first time you do it, yo hope you do it well enough to get it again. Hopefully we do a good job of it."