It is exciting, as I complete my first full year as Oncenter President and CEO, to reflect on all that has been accomplished and look forward to what is in store for 2008.

During 2007, we saw extremely positive changes within the Oncenter Complex. Most visible of these, especially to those of us who work here, are the capital improvements that are underway. We have new ribbon lights in the War Memorial Arena, a beautifully renovated Convention Center ballroom, and new ovens, which improve the products we serve our guests.

The Convention Center itself has been renamed and is now officially the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter. I am pleased to have worked with Nicholas J. Pirro for more than 16 years, since before we opened our doors, and appreciate his support for our mission.

The Oncenter sales department has been generating new opportunities for convention and trade shows coming to Syracuse. The positive energy initiated from my work as a member of the Governor's Tourism Advisory Council and as a board member of the New York State Tourism Association has assisted our efforts to develop tourism in Upstate New York, especially at the Oncenter.

Changes within the Oncenter staff are also allowing us to move further along in our continuing quest to move from good to great. The resources and creative energy, which those changes have brought, can be felt far beyond the new positions and restructured positions, and have had a upbeat impact on the face we present to the community.

These positive results would not have been possible without the continuing efforts and success of our department heads, supported by the entire Oncenter team. And our entire operation would not have been able to achieve its success without the Oncenter board of directors, which has provided me with outstanding support and backing throughout the past year.

For 2008, I predict Oncenter will have a banner year. I've already met with Joanie Mahoney and look forward to working with her and her staff on her visions for Oncenter.

We've already been working with Wilmorite and Westin executives on plans for the much-anticipated Convention Center hotel. The addition to what we have to offer conventions and trade shows should have an almost immediate impact, once ground is broken for the new hotel.

It's going to be a great year!

The Oncenter Complex, a multi-venue exhibition, convention and entertainment facility in Syracuse, N.Y., received a 2007 Prime Site Award of Excellence from the Facilities Media Group for venue excellence. Award winners were selected by a panel of industry experts based on the physical and structural dynamics of a building, the venue staff, and the level of technology of its sound, lighting, and staging.

"The Oncenter Complex is honored to receive the Prime Site Award," said David M. Marnell, Sr., president and CEO at the Oncenter Complex. "We are proud to offer a high level of service, exceptional staff, quality food and beverage options, and flexible meeting spaces. We are continuously upgrading our facilities and enhancing our services in order to ensure that the Oncenter remains a premiere convention destination."

The Facilities Prime Site Awards are given to the top entertainment, sports and special event venues, including arenas, civic centers, coliseums, auditoriums, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, amphitheaters, university venues, fairgrounds and special event venues.

The only other facilities in New York State to receive this award were Madison Square Garden, New York City Center, and Times Union Center, which is located in Albany, N.Y.

In 2007, the Oncenter Complex completed a redesign of its grand ballroom, officially renamed the convention center to the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter in honor of the retiring Onondaga County Executive, and continued to become a leader in the meeting and convention industry in terms of implementing green practices, using eco-friendly products and planning environmental conferences. In addition, the Complex installed the Electrolux air-o-system®, a kitchen system developed by Electrolux Professional North America that is also used at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. In 2009, The Westin Syracuse Hotel is scheduled to open adjacent to the Convention Center.

New colors, new carpets, new chairs and new wall fixtures all helped transform the Grand Ballroom in the Convention Center at Oncenter into a beautiful, breath-taking space. The dramatic changes were unveiled in January at a 15th Anniversary celebration.

Oncenter's Manager of Design Development Linda McBride worked with designers Cody & Wolff, Inc. of Fayetteville to create a renewal for the art deco feel of the current ballroom. "It was time," said Sandra Baker, Oncenter's Director of Sales and Marketing, especially as the improvements will be in place for the opening of the Westin Hotel, which will be built, adjoining the complex. It is the first major renovation for the ballroom since the Convention Center opened 15 years ago.

One dramatic difference is the new carpeting, designed specifically for the space. This is not a solid color, but medallions to enhance the new colors on walls, pillars, and ceiling, and complement the room's look.

Grand ballroom details:

• The walls are glazed in a vivid bronzed coral that adds a warmth and a glow to the interior space that is both enveloping and welcoming.
• The enhanced ceiling colors offer an additional ambience allowing the ceiling plane to be an integrated aspect of the design concept.
• The carpeting was custom designed by Cody & Wolff incorporating the Oncenter logo colors, teal and mauve, further enhanced by the addition of coral, apple green and ecru in order to increase the adaptability of this space to many functions.
• The custom sconce lighting, which was also designed by Cody & Wolff, and scaled to the room, reflects the traditional heritage that is found in the Regency period while the beveled edged mirrors, in turn, reflect the images and activities that animate and enliven the events that will take place in this marvelous space.
• The ballroom chairs are open fretwork in a metallic gold finish that mimics the ceiling panels that harbor the golden chandeliers that were part of the original space. The lattice backs of the chairs repeat the trellis design that is apparent in the carpeting.

The trellis motif, which is seen in many elaborate garden designs, allows the ballroom to easily convert into its own garden theme, either a formal one or a more casual garden atmosphere, hence further increasing the adaptability of this space.

"The redesigned ballroom at the Oncenter Complex is exquisite," said David M. Marnell, Sr., president and chief executive officer of the Oncenter Complex. "We are thrilled with the outcome and confident our guests will be pleased with the new look and the overall welcoming atmosphere."

County and Oncenter officials held the official unveiling of the newly designated Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter at a rededication ceremony in December.

The Oncenter Complex board of directors voted unanimously in August for a motion renaming the center for Mr. Pirro, who left office as Onondaga County Executive at the end of 2007.

J. Daniel Pluff, Chair of Oncenter's Board of Directors, cited the commitment and support Mr. Pirro has shown toward the Oncenter Complex throughout his tenure as county executive. "He was instrumental in ensuring the building of the convention center 15 years ago and has been a driving force behind the Oncenter's new four-star Westin Syracuse Hotel, which will break ground later this year," Mr. Pluff said.

"The renaming of the convention center is indeed a fitting tribute to Nick Pirro's ongoing commitment to this facility and the economic impact the Oncenter Complex has on our entire community," said David M. Marnell, Oncenter President and CEO.

In addition to placing Mr. Pirro's name on the exterior structure of the building, a portrait of the county executive was unveiled in the lobby of the convention center.

The Oncenter Complex recently announced several promotions. Sandra Baker was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing, Danielle Goss was promoted to director of event services and Eric Schuster was promoted to vice president of operations.

Baker previously served as the director of sales and marketing at the Oncenter Complex and has been responsible for the rebranding of the Complex and focusing on new convention business. The Oncenter Complex sales team is responsible for sales in all three of its facilities: the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center, the War Memorial Arena and the John H. Mulroy Civic Center Theaters. Prior to joining the Oncenter, Baker was an Onondaga County Legislator for the 1st District and a national sales and marketing consultant. She is a member of the Association for Convention Marketing Executives (ACME), the Greater Syracuse Hospitality and Tourism Association (GSHTA), and the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM). Baker has three children in college and resides in Baldwinsville with her husband, Mark.

"Sandy Baker has made significant improvements for the Oncenter Complex this past year by building new relationships as well as bridging old ones," said David M. Marnell, Sr., president and CEO of the Oncenter Complex. "The Oncenter's branding has been enhanced with collateral updates, new advertising and increased communication. The changes she has implemented over the last year have been outstanding."

Goss has been with the Oncenter Complex for four years as manager of event operations. Every event that is scheduled at the Oncenter Complex is assigned an event coordinator. Goss oversees that program and personally works on major events, including the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Club games. Last year, she completed the Public Assembly Facility Management School (PAFMS), a professional education program funded by the International Association of Assembly Managers Inc. (IAAM). She is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia. Goss is originally from Fulton and currently lives in Syracuse.

"I am delighted to have promoted Danielle Goss to director of event services. Danielle exemplifies what it takes to be an event coordinator at the Oncenter. Her position takes an enormous amount of time and effort. Each event has numerous details and must run smoothly. Danielle has been instrumental in helping us win the Inner Circle Award from Association Meetings magazine nine years in a row," said Marnell.

Schuster was previously the Oncenter's director of operations since 2000. He has been in the convention, special events and public facilities business for over 17 years.  He currently serves on the Professional Development Committee and the Sustainability Task Force for the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM). In 1997 he was awarded the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation and graduated from the Public Assembly Facility Management School (PAFMS) in 2002. He is also a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association of CNY. He has been active in several veterans' organizations including the American Legion and Onondaga County's Veterans Day Committee. Schuster and his wife, Janet, have one son and reside in Manlius, N.Y.

"Eric Schuster started with our company in the finance department, moved to event operations and sales, then back to director of operations. He has a vast knowledge of the industry and has been a wonderful asset to our Oncenter team," said Marnell.

Visitors and fans are experiencing the delights of new ribbon lighting along the interior of the War Memorial at Oncenter's auditorium. The lighting, which can display moving or static graphics, was introduced at the Syracuse Crunch opening game and has been in near-constant use at hockey games ever since.

The ribbon lighting, announced to fans when Oncenter and the Crunch extended their agreement last year, can be used to help excite crowds at all events at the facility. It was installed at a cost of more than $600,000.

An official ribbon lighting "lighting" ceremony was held in October with Onondaga County Executive Nicholas J. Pirro, Syracuse Crunch General Manager and CFO Vance Lederman, and Oncenter President and CEO David M. Marnell Sr. on hand to help initiate the new War Memorial feature.