Verona, NY, Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oneida Indian Nation Homelands – The Oneida Indian Nation has completed the historic $400 million Turning Stone Evolution project, transforming Turning Stone Resort Casino into New York’s largest meetings and conventions resort. Across the Turning Stone resort, guests now have access to four hotels, 1,046 hotel rooms, 26 restaurants, 225,000 square feet of event space, indoor parking for 3,200 vehicles, and seamless connectivity to the resort’s world-class amenities – including five golf courses, spas, gaming, dining, entertainment, and nightlife.
Designed in partnership with renowned architecture firm Gensler, The Grand Expo represents the most significant expansion of Turning Stone’s meetings and events capabilities in the resort’s history. Arriving ahead of schedule, The Grand Expo doubles Turning Stone’s event space with a 30,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom, nine breakout and meeting rooms (two with outdoor patios), the new White Pine Café, expansive pillarless spaces, towering ceilings, natural light, and a breathtaking 24,000 square foot landscaped outdoor courtyard. A new state-of-the-art South Parking Center includes 1,492 parking spaces, wayfinding technology, and seamless connectivity to The Grand Expo. Designed to provide maximum flexibility for event planners, The Grand Expo can accommodate everything from intimate executive gatherings to large-scale conventions, trade shows, corporate events, weddings, and celebrations.
The opening of The Grand Expo follows the July arrival of The Crescent, Turning Stone’s new 258-room luxury hotel, and Salt, its signature fine-dining restaurant. The Crescent connects directly to The Grand Expo, allowing convention and meeting guests to move easily between accommodations, meetings, dining, entertainment, and other resort experiences without leaving the property and providing the opportunity for guests and event planners to craft complete multi-day experiences within a single destination.
The Turning Stone Evolution represents a historic investment in Turning Stone Enterprises and Upstate New York. According to Oxford Economics, the $400 million project created a one-time economic impact of $616 million, supported thousands of construction jobs, and created permanent new jobs at Turning Stone Enterprises. More than 60 New York business were awarded contracts to work on bringing this transformation to life.
“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 celebrated the completion of the Turning Stone Evolution and opening of The Grand Expo on Saturday, August 29 with a gala attended by members of the Oneida Indian Nation, elected officials, business and tourism leaders, and other distinguished guests, culminating in a drone and fireworks show at the end of the evening.
For more information about meetings and events at Turning Stone, visit Turning Stone Convention Center | Meetings & Events. For photos of The Grand Expo and The Turning Stone Evolution, click here.
About Turning Stone Enterprises
Turning Stone Enterprises is the parent organization for all business operations of the Oneida Indian Nation. One of the largest employers in Central New York with more than 5,200 team members, Turning Stone Enterprises’ portfolio of hospitality, gaming and recreational destinations includes Turning Stone Resort Casino, YBR Casino & Sports Book, Point Place Casino Hotel, The Lake House at Sylvan Beach, The Cove at Sylvan Beach, Maple Leaf Market and SavOn convenience stores, an RV park, two marinas, a hunting preserve and salmon-fishing destination and Wáhta’ Maple Farm. Collectively, these properties offer guests from across the region and around the world five award-winning hotels, nearly 30 signature restaurants and dining venues, two spas, five golf courses, Las Vegas-style casino gaming, a state-of-the-art sports betting lounge, two concert venues and several nightlife venues.
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Media Contacts: Joel Barkin Vice President for Strategic Communications and Community Engagement 315.361.8173 jbarkin@oneida-nation.org Kathleen Shaffer Head of Public Relations Turning Stone Enterprises 315.569.8193 kathleen.shaffer@turningstone.com
