CenterState CEO unveils big changes to annual business show

SYRACUSE  —  Organizers of CenterState CEO’s annual business show are making several moves this year — on the map, on the calendar, and in planning and promoting the event.

CenterState has decided to hold the show, which is in its 20th year, on Oct. 25. That is about seven months later than it has been held in past years.

It also chose to return the show to the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse. The event has not been held downtown since 2007, and has been at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes in recent years.

“We wanted to bring something bigger and better to the business community,” says CenterState Vice President of Chamber Services Jane Amico. “[Bringing the show downtown] really provides some great access in a venue that is really conducive to trade shows.”

This will mark the first time the show has ever taken place in the fall, Amico says. Last year, the show was held March 24. But the October date is a better fit for businesses, according to Amico.

“Companies are making their critical business decisions in the fall,” she says. “It’s the time that we have heard back from our members is the best time.”

CenterState CEO is a private, not-for-profit business-leadership and economic-development organization that covers 12 counties and represents more than 2,000 members. 

The location and date aren’t the only changes for this year’s show, which CenterState is calling the Time Warner Cable Business Class CenterState Business Showcase. CenterState is also revamping the showcase to improve its quality and increase its regional presence, Amico says.

The organization is partnering with Syracuse–based Galaxy Communications to upgrade the show. Galaxy is a radio-station owner that also has an events division, called Galaxy Events. That division helps put on events such as Onondaga County’s Lights on the Lake and also owns Taste of Syracuse. 

Galaxy Events will help find sponsorships for the business showcase and build its marketing. Galaxy Communications owns 14 radio stations in Syracuse, Oswego, and Utica, and it will advertise the business showcase on those stations, according to its president and CEO, Edward Levine. 

Galaxy Events is also bringing some major speakers to October’s show, Levine says. They include former Syracuse University running back Floyd Little, who owned automobile dealerships after he retired from football, and Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. co-founder Jerry Greenfield.

The show’s roster of speakers is not yet complete. Galaxy plans to add more speakers who play a major role in the business world, Levine says.

“It’s going to take a decidedly national profile with an emphasis on what’s happening locally and regionally in upstate New York,” he says. “Our goal is not to have it be the best business show ever in Syracuse. Our goal is to have it be one of the better business shows in the United States.”

Galaxy is taking financial responsibility for improvements such as bringing in the speakers, according to Levine. He said the company’s commitment is “well into six figures” but did not disclose a specific amount.

“Obviously the speakers come with a price tag, and trying to upgrade the show, there’s going to be increased expenses,” he says.

CenterState CEO and Galaxy have signed a two-year contract to work together on the business showcase for two years. A ticket to attend this year’s show will cost $5, and CenterState expects this year’s event to attract more than 8,000 attendees.

Prices for exhibitors are not changing from last year, Amico says. Last year, exhibitors who were CenterState members paid between $575 and $725, depending on their number of employees. Non-members paid $675 to $825. Anyone who wants to reserve exhibit space can do so at CenterState’s website, www.centerstateceo.com.

SYRACUSE  —  Organizers of CenterState CEO’s annual business show are making several moves this year — on the map, on the calendar, and in planning and promoting the event.

CenterState has decided to hold the show, which is in its 20th year, on Oct. 25. That is about seven months later than it has been held in past years.

It also chose to return the show to the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse. The event has not been held downtown since 2007, and has been at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes in recent years.

“We wanted to bring something bigger and better to the business community,” says CenterState Vice President of Chamber Services Jane Amico. “[Bringing the show downtown] really provides some great access in a venue that is really conducive to trade shows.”

This will mark the first time the show has ever taken place in the fall, Amico says. Last year, the show was held March 24. But the October date is a better fit for businesses, according to Amico.

“Companies are making their critical business decisions in the fall,” she says. “It’s the time that we have heard back from our members is the best time.”

CenterState CEO is a private, not-for-profit business-leadership and economic-development organization that covers 12 counties and represents more than 2,000 members. 

The location and date aren’t the only changes for this year’s show, which CenterState is calling the Time Warner Cable Business Class CenterState Business Showcase. CenterState is also revamping the showcase to improve its quality and increase its regional presence, Amico says.

The organization is partnering with Syracuse–based Galaxy Communications to upgrade the show. Galaxy is a radio-station owner that also has an events division, called Galaxy Events. That division helps put on events such as Onondaga County’s Lights on the Lake and also owns Taste of Syracuse. 

Galaxy Events will help find sponsorships for the business showcase and build its marketing. Galaxy Communications owns 14 radio stations in Syracuse, Oswego, and Utica, and it will advertise the business showcase on those stations, according to its president and CEO, Edward Levine. 

Galaxy Events is also bringing some major speakers to October’s show, Levine says. They include former Syracuse University running back Floyd Little, who owned automobile dealerships after he retired from football, and Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. co-founder Jerry Greenfield.

The show’s roster of speakers is not yet complete. Galaxy plans to add more speakers who play a major role in the business world, Levine says.

“It’s going to take a decidedly national profile with an emphasis on what’s happening locally and regionally in upstate New York,” he says. “Our goal is not to have it be the best business show ever in Syracuse. Our goal is to have it be one of the better business shows in the United States.”

Galaxy is taking financial responsibility for improvements such as bringing in the speakers, according to Levine. He said the company’s commitment is “well into six figures” but did not disclose a specific amount.

“Obviously the speakers come with a price tag, and trying to upgrade the show, there’s going to be increased expenses,” he says.

CenterState CEO and Galaxy have signed a two-year contract to work together on the business showcase for two years. A ticket to attend this year’s show will cost $5, and CenterState expects this year’s event to attract more than 8,000 attendees.

Prices for exhibitors are not changing from last year, Amico says. Last year, exhibitors who were CenterState members paid between $575 and $725, depending on their number of employees. Non-members paid $675 to $825. Anyone who wants to reserve exhibit space can do so at CenterState’s website, www.centerstateceo.com.