SYRACUSE — The Central New York Sales & Marketing Executives (CNYSME) has selected Laura Serway — owner of Laci’s Tapas Bar of Syracuse — as the 44th recipient of its annual Crystal Ball Award. CNYSME will honor Serway during the Crystal Ball and Sales & Marketing Excellence Awards presentation and celebration on April 22, 2020 […]
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SYRACUSE — The Central New York Sales & Marketing Executives (CNYSME) has selected Laura Serway — owner of Laci’s Tapas Bar of Syracuse — as the 44th recipient of its annual Crystal Ball Award.
CNYSME will honor Serway during the Crystal Ball and Sales & Marketing Excellence Awards presentation and celebration on April 22, 2020 at Pascale @ Drumlins.
CNYSME describes Serway as a “serial entrepreneurial executive” with more than 35 years of experience managing and training consultative sales, marketing, communication, and business development personnel at the local, and corporate level for media companies.
The CNYSME decision to present her this award surprised Serway.
“I felt extremely humbled and shocked as well because I’m not currently in the media business any longer, although I’m very involved on a day-to-day basis in the philanthropic world but most certainly in the expertise and relationships that I’ve acquired over the years have granted me the opportunity to continue to work with quite a few of my past colleagues in the industry,” says Serway. She spoke with CNYBJ on Oct. 21.
CNYSME annually awards the Crystal Ball to a local businessperson or group of business people “in recognition of their contributions to the sales and marketing profession and for their endeavors in the areas of community development and support.”
Serway has provided her motivational management style to dozens of local nonprofits including, AccessCNY, Salvation Army, Vera House, WISE Women’s Business Center, American Heart Association, Women United, and Priscilla Mahar Animal Welfare Foundation.
Laci’s Tapas Bar has also donated more than $125,000 to nine different nonprofits in Onondaga County, CNYSME said.
Founded in 1935, CNYSME says it is the only organization focused exclusively on the needs of sales and marketing professionals in Central New York. Its mission is to help members grow their businesses by offering workshops, training sessions, networking opportunities, and scholarships to those planning a career in the industry.
Crystal Ball Award: Criteria, recent past winners
The criteria for Crystal Ball recognition includes holding a position as CEO, president, or director of a Central New York business; a person who visibly impacts the progress and prosperity of Central New York; a leader who “demonstrates commitment to superior quality and professionalism;” a person who “fosters excellence” in their industry; local involvement in community and civic organizations; and “demonstrates and practices an appreciation” of the sales and marketing industry, per CNYSME.
“Laura is a champion of all things Central New York, as well as sales and marketing,” Rachel Henderson-Kelly, president of CNYSME, said in a statement. “Her innovative and entrepreneurial spirit have led her to such great successes, and her volunteer work displays the passion she has for this community. CNYSME is proud to present her with this great honor.”
Serway will join a list of past Crystal Ball winners that includes the 2019 recipient, Mark Re, VP & regional manager of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services; the 2018 honoree, Kimberly Boynton, president and CEO of Crouse Health; the 2017 winner, Phil VanHorne, chairman and CEO of BlueRock Energy, Inc.; the 2016 recipient, Allen Naples, senior VP and regional president of M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB); and the 2015 honoree, Robert Daino, then-president and CEO of WCNY, the area’s public broadcaster.
Other past winners include Howard Dolgon, owner, president, CEO, and team governor of the Syracuse Crunch minor league hockey team in 2014; Peter Belyea, president of CXtec and TERACAI in 2013; Debbie Sydow, former president of Onondaga Community College in 2012; John Stage, founder and CEO of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in 2011; Peter Coleman, the publican of Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub in 2010; and Edward (Ed) Levine, president and CEO of Galaxy Communications in Syracuse in 2009, according to the CNYSME website.
“I look at that list of individuals, and again, to be the 44th recipient is just extremely overwhelming for me. I’m exceptionally humbled,” says Serway.