All of us at the Oncenter Complex have seen changes as we continue to take this wonderful facility from "good" to "great".

One of those changes is the new look and method of delivery of our news to you. Several years ago, the Oncenter had a very traditional newsletter - one of the paper and ink variety. That gradually faded away, and we discovered it left a hole in our team's information exchange.

With this issue, we introduce a new format, and a new method of communication. This e-newsletter allows us to bring you information much more quickly. It also proves a state of the art two-way exchange. If there is something you feel is noteworthy, drop us a note and we'll try to have it included in a future issue.

The "look" of this newsletter also reflects the new design, which we have been developing for the Oncenter, and I am very excited about the changes.

You might not notice a huge difference, but the fresh, more contemporary logo fits well into our plans for branding our three buildings, both locally and to a much wider audience.

We have much to be proud of, from awards to compliments from our guests, and we're looking forward to sharing that news, and news of even more successes. Moving around in this e-newsletter you'll find information about our latest Inner Circle Award, staff changes, Crouse Hinds Theatre Center performances, and more.

With construction on our new neighbor, The Westin Syracuse, slated to begin this Fall, there will be much news about that project as well. We look forward to this great addition to what we have to offer.

Sign up for your own copy of this e-newsletter so we keep you informed of what's new at Oncenter and all we have in store for the future.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Oncenter Complex, a multi-venue exhibition, convention and entertainment facility, received the Inner Circle Award for being one of the Top 15 convention centers in the nation. It is the ninth consecutive year that the Complex has received this honor from Associated Meetings, a magazine published for association executive directors and meeting planners. The Oncenter was the only convention center in New York State to be chosen for this honor in 2007.

The Inner Circle Awards represent the best of the best within the hospitality industry for association meetings. For each of the past nine years, readers of Association Meetings magazine have voted on the awards, which recognize the top-rated convention and visitors' bureaus, tourist boards and convention centers in the country.

"The Oncenter Complex is honored to receive the Inner Circle Award for the ninth consecutive year," 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 fantastic meeting spaces. As we continue to expand, we remain dedicated to upgrading our facilities and enhancing our services in order to ensure that the Oncenter remains a premiere convention destination."

With great pride, County Executive Nicholas J. Pirro congratulates the Oncenter staff for receiving the prestigious Inner Circle Award. He said, "As we move forward with the groundbreaking for the new convention center hotel - The Westin Syracuse - this award adds to our ability to bring both previous and new conventions to Syracuse and Onondaga County."

Last year, over 850,000 people attended events at the Oncenter Complex, according to Sandra Baker, Director of Sales and Marketing. "We want our customers to feel special from the moment they walk in our doors. We pride ourselves in our beautiful facilities, but even more importantly on our service, and that's what the Inner Circle Award is based on, the experience of the customer," said Baker.

The 2007 Inner Circle Award Winners - Convention Centers:
- Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, N.C.
- COBO Center, Detroit
- Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill.
- George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston
- Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, Va.
- Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome, Indianapolis
- Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky.
- Las Vegas Convention Center
- McCormick Place, Chicago
- Oncenter Complex, Syracuse, N.Y.
- Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.
- Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia
- Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.
- San Diego Convention Center
- Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

A combination of ticketed and free events is planned for the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament's upcoming visit to the Oncenter Complex. Skilled horses and skillful riders will be the stars from Wednesday, October 31 to Sunday, November 4.

Starting October 31 with competitions, clinics, presentations, and (more)

A combination of ticketed and free events is planned for the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament's upcoming visit to the Oncenter Complex. Skilled horses and skillful riders will be the stars from Wednesday, October 31 to Sunday, November 4.

Each day will include competitions, clinics, and presentations. The tournament, presented by Equips Magazine, is expected to draw more than 250 competitive riders and about 350 horses.

Of special interest is the Budweiser World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse on Saturday, with its $75,000 in prize money. Spectators are expected to cheer on local favorite Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, who will be in competition. The event culminates with the Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup on Sunday, November 4.

This is the fifth year for the Syracuse Invitational, and each year the event has attracted larger and larger audiences according to Kristin Barrett-Anderson, a member of the organizing committee. Events at the Convention Center are free, including many specifically for younger audiences. On October 31, a Halloween Extravaganza including competition, arena tour, costume parade, even trick or treating among exhibitors, is expected to be a great success.

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 1, the Budweiser Clydesdales will greet the public during a Have a Bud with the Buds event, billed as a time to "come have a draft with everyone's favorite draft horses."

A complete schedules and information about all events can be found at http://www.syracuseinvitational.com/Main.asp, with tickets available from the Oncenter Box Office at 315-435-2121.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Oncenter Complex, a multi-venue exhibition, convention and entertainment facility, recently began a series of capital improvements, which will conclude with the opening of the Westin Syracuse Convention Center Hotel in 2009. The first step included the purchase of combi-therm ovens and chillers. The Electrolux air-o-system was installed to improve the already high-quality of food served at the Oncenter in order to attract regional and national business to the complex and help promote tourism and economic growth in Central New York.

For the past eight years, the Oncenter has received the Inner Circle Award from Associated Meetings for being one of the top-15 convention and visitors bureaus, tourist boards and convention centers in the country.

In 2007, the Complex has already served meals to over a half a million guests including numerous business and social events for local, regional and national organizations.

"The Oncenter is dedicated to becoming a premiere convention destination," said David M. Marnell, Sr., President and CEO at the Oncenter Complex. "We are committed to upgrading our facilities and enhancing our services. In particular, the new oven/chiller system will aid our executive chef, Gerald J. Bolton, and his staff in preparing exceptional meals for large groups and events. We look forward to the meeting and convention opportunities that will result from this significant upgrade."

The air-o-system, developed by Electrolux Professional North America, is an investment of over $180,000 that elevates the Oncenter above its regional competitors in terms of culinary capabilities. The state-of-the-art kitchen system, which is also used at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., combines the air-o-steam® combi oven and the air-o-chill blast chiller/freezer to achieve a completely integrated cook and chill process.

The Oncenter purchased three full-size, 20 rack systems, which includes three ovens and two freezers. The combi ovens have the ability to cook in three modes - convection, steam and a combination of the two - and are available for gas or electric requirements.

"The upgrades have optimized the workflow in the kitchen, increased food shelf life and reduced cooking time by nearly 50 percent in many cases," said Jim Stocker, Director of Food and Beverage at the Oncenter Complex. "We can now offer a fresher, more consistent product to our guests."

One of the most notable features of the system is that it allows for operator control over the humidity levels of the oven cavity, thus controlling the humidity of the food. While roasting meats at a lower temperature than in a convection oven, the combi ovens adds moisture to the product and do not dry out the external surface of the meat. The steam optimizes the flavor profile and results in a tender product with less shrinkage and less waste.

Bolton, a member of the Syracuse Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, says that the taste and texture of many other food products will improve as well.

"Crème brule, for example, typically has to bake in a water bath," said Bolton. "With a combi oven, you can set the humidity level to 70-75 percent and bake it right on the tray at a low temperature. The consistency of the steam is much better for the dessert than the dry heat from a convection oven.

"Additional capabilities range from baking our own breads to freezing steaks in a blast chiller at 32 degrees below zero without fear of ice crystallization. The ovens can also act as oil-less fryers for French fries or Chicken Cordon Bleu."

Each of three new ovens at the Oncenter has the capability of storing up to 100 programmed recipes, which will eliminate guess work and result in more consistency from one serving to the next. In addition, it will decrease energy usage.

"In the past, we turned on all of the ovens during the morning so they would be ready for an event later in the day," said Bolton. "The new ovens heat up almost instantaneously and automatically go into stand-by mode once the cooking is completed."

The air-o-system also uses new technology to help operators monitor Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) compliance. The Oncenter's system is connected to a network that uses the Electrolux Intelligent Kitchen System (EIKS) to monitor and record activity according to HACCP guidelines. This can be done from an on-site or off-site computer and serves as a mechanism to help monitor and comply with health and safety standards.

"The Oncenter Complex is on the cutting edge of culinary equipment in this region," said John Babila, Vice President at Electrolux Professional North America. "We are pleased to partner with the facility as it invests in capital improvements that will drastically transform the meeting and convention capabilities in Syracuse, N.Y."

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The International Association of Assembly Managers Inc. (IAAM) has reappointed Eric R. Schuster, CMP, director of facilities and operations at the Oncenter Complex, to its Professional Development Committee (PDC). The IAAM is a global organization, which provides leadership, networking and educational opportunities for individuals involved in the management, operation and support of public assembly facilities. Schuster will continue to serve as chair of the New Program/Product Development subcommittee for the PDC.

The PDC provides IAAM's board of education with information regarding member needs in education and professional development. The committee also helps select educational topics and programs for IAAM's annual conference. In addition, the PDC assists in reviewing and prioritizing grant applications for educational programs.

As chair of the New Program/Product Development subcommittee, Schuster is responsible for identifying and developing educational programs on green cleaning initiatives and other important topics in the public assembly industry.

"As a member of the PDC, it's great to have the opportunity to be involved in the discussion and development of educational programs that will benefit members of the public assembly industry and the Oncenter Complex," Schuster said.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Danielle Goss, manager of event operations at the Oncenter Complex, recently completed the first year of Public Assembly Facility Management School (PAFMS) at Oglebay, a professional education program funded by the International Association of Assembly Managers Inc. (IAAM). The IAAM is a global organization, which provides leadership, networking and educational opportunities for individuals involved in the management, operation and support of public assembly facilities. The school is held at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling, W. Va.

PAFMS allows IAAM members to develop into more experienced and knowledgeable public assembly professionals. Participants receive one week of intensive instruction for two consecutive years covering topics such as event production, facility law and professional ethics.

"This is a great program for public assembly managers," Goss says. "It teaches invaluable lessons on management relations, emergency preparedness and financial management."

PAFMS participants have the opportunity to earn credits toward becoming an IAAM Certified Facilities Executive (CFE). Graduates of PAFMS also have the option to continue on to the PAFMS Graduate Institute, an advanced educational program, which helps develop current managers by expanding their management and leadership skills.