Page 15 - 2021 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

RETHINKING REVENUE
GENERATION: FILM PRODUCTION AT THE WESTCHESTER MARRIOTT
A popular, film-friendly location known for its diverse backdrops and “can-do” attitude, the Westchester Marriott now has taken an extra step. The hotel has been designated a Qualified Production Facility (QPF) by the New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development.
Filming at the hotel helps productions check off one of the boxes required to capture generous New York State tax credits. “The process was fairly simple,” says Michelle Barry, destination sales executive at the Westchester Marriott. “And now, with the designation, we’re getting calls from productions that are interested in shooting at our location.”
“Our property has enjoyed quite a bit of film activity over the years,” Barry says. “Filming is definitely an out-of-the-box revenue generator for a hotel, but the excitement and energy it brings to our property is undeniable. We get a real
thrill seeing one of our guest rooms in a scene during an episode of ‘The Blacklist’!”
Over the years, the Westchester Marriott has welcomed episodic television shows such as “The Blacklist,” cable hits like “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” and a host of commercial shoots. In addition to its 444 guest rooms, the Westchester Marriott boasts grand ballrooms, 23,000 square feet of meeting space, an indoor pool with a vaulted glass retractable roof, a graciously appointed lobby, a leafy terrace and an 800-space parking lot.
Barry notes that her team’s flexibility also supports their film boom. “When a production wants to shoot in our lobby, we’ve been able to identify the best timeframe so they can get their shot with minimal disruption to our guest flow,” she says. “We’ve also had crews come just for our parking lot, which has plenty of room for trailers and crews to set up a basecamp.”
The Westchester Marriott is also observing a range of health and safety protocols to keep crews, talent, and guests safe and healthy. Shared
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 13