Journey Gunderson, executive director of the Lucy Desi Museum & Center for Comedy and the National Comedy Center, Inc., joined Governor Andrew Cuomo during New York State’s Second Tourism Summit held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on May 14. Gunderson, seated second from the right in this photo, was invited to join the Governor’s table and speak on events in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, including the comedy festival and plans for the first National Comedy Center. Hundreds of tourism officials and business leaders gathered at the Summit to discuss bringing tourists to every corner of New York State. The Governor announced the state’s commitment of $45 million to promote statewide tourism, create jobs, and attract even more visitors to the Empire State. This 50 percent increase in state funding over the last year gives New York one of the largest state-funded tourism programs in the nation. The Governor also unveiled a new tourism advertising campaign featuring Ed Burns, Steve Buscemi, Billy Joel, Robert De Niro, Michael Strahan, Meryl Streep and Vanessa Williams. Thurman Thomas, seated far left in the photo, serves as vice chair of the NYS Tourism Advisory Council.