The Oneida Indian Nation has completed its Turning Stone Evolution project, a $400 million investment that transforms Turning Stone Resort Casino into New York’s largest meetings and conventions resort.
Oxford Economics estimates the project will create a one-time economic impact of $616 million while supporting thousands of construction jobs and creating permanent new positions at Turning Stone Enterprises. More than 60 New York businesses were awarded contracts connected with the project.
The completed resort now includes four hotels with a combined 1,046 rooms, 26 restaurants and 225,000 square feet of event space. It also offers indoor parking for 3,200 vehicles, alongside access to five golf courses, spas, gaming, dining, entertainment and nightlife.
A main part of the expansion is The Grand Expo, designed in partnership with architecture firm Gensler. Delivered ahead of schedule, the development doubles Turning Stone’s event capacity and includes a 30,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, nine breakout and meeting rooms, two of which have outdoor patios, as well as the new White Pine Café.
The venue also includes pillarless event areas, high ceilings, natural light and a 24,000-square-foot landscaped outdoor courtyard. The Grand Expo has been designed to accommodate executive meetings, conventions, trade shows, corporate events, weddings and other celebrations.
A new South Parking Center serving the facility provides 1,492 parking spaces, wayfinding technology and direct connectivity to The Grand Expo.
The opening follows the July launch of The Crescent, a new 258-room luxury hotel, and Salt, its signature fine-dining restaurant. The Crescent is directly connected to The Grand Expo, allowing meeting and convention guests to move between accommodations, event facilities, restaurants, entertainment and other areas of the resort without leaving the property. The configuration is also intended to support multi-day events within the resort.
Turning Stone's The Crescent
“With the completion of the Turning Stone Evolution and the opening of The Grand Expo, we have fulfilled our most ambitious vision yet for the resort, our enterprises and Central New York,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter.
“This historic investment to make Turning Stone New York’s largest meetings and conventions resort destination will transform tourism and economic development in the region for decades to come, allowing us to continue diversifying our enterprises, attract larger events and compete with the country’s top business and leisure travel destinations.”
Turning Stone Resort Casino marked the completion of the Turning Stone Evolution and the opening of The Grand Expo with a gala on Saturday, August 29. Members of the Oneida Indian Nation, elected officials, business and tourism leaders, and other guests attended the event, which concluded with a drone and fireworks show.