SYRACUSE, N.Y., January 8, 2009 --AAA Western and Central New York celebrated the Grand Opening of its new AAA DeWitt Travel and Insurance Center in DeWitt today. DeWitt Town Supervisor Edward Michalenko, Syracuse Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Robert Tackman, and AAA President/CEO Tom Chestnut participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Located at 3460 Erie Boulevard East, next to Barnes and Noble, this facility ushers in a new look and method of taking care of members’ travel needs. “This state-of-the-art AAA Travel and Insurance Center is easier to locate, offers better access for our clients, and overall is more conducive to serving the needs of more members,” said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. The retail facility was previously located at 3175 East Genesee Street in Syracuse.

The AAA DeWitt Travel and Insurance Center features the AAA.com Internet Café, flat screen plasma TV’s, and an area for home and automobile insurance transactions. Passport photos, luggage and other travel essentials are also available.

AAA will continue its Grand Opening with a week-long celebration, January 12th through 17th, featuring specials, discounts, and giveaways for members and travelers, including a grand prize New York City theater getaway for two with airfare, two-nights accommodations at the Hotel Edison, dinner at Tavern on the Green, and tickets to “Wicked.”

The phone number for the AAA DeWitt Travel and Insurance Center is (315) 446-3134. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

As Upstate New York's largest motoring and travel organization, AAA provides its 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited at www.AAA.com.

(Left to Right) Mary Pat Donaldson Northrup, AAA Board of Directors; Robert Tackman, Syracuse Chamber of Commerce Ambassador; Barbara Park, AAA District Manager; Tom Chestnut, AAA President/CEO; Jennine Lombardi, AAA Central Region Director of Travel; Dr. Edward Michalenko, DeWitt Town Supervisor; Jim Doolittle, AAA Board of Directors; and representatives from the Syracuse University Basketball Cheerleading Squad cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the new AAA Travel and Insurance Center in DeWitt.

Contact:
Shaun Seufert (716) 929-3600
Diana R. Dibble (315) 453-5904
Wally Smith (716) 626-3225