SCVB Wins Prestigious Pinnacle Award

The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) was officially presented with a prestigious 2009 Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award— the most credible and esteemed symbol of excellence among meeting planners and meeting destinations – at a celebratory press conference held at the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

Deputy County Executive Bill Fisher, Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce President Darlene Kerr, Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau President David Holder, Successful Meetings magazine International Advertising Director Diane Di Maggio, and Syracuse Nationals Director Bob O’Connor gather for a group photo with the official Pinnacle Award.

Diane DiMaggio, an executive with Successful Meetings magazine, participated in the event and presented a plaque to Deputy County Executive Bill Fisher and SCVB President David Holder.

This is the seventh year the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau has earned the esteemed award and the Syracuse CVB is the only CVB in New York state to receive the coveted award in 2009.

The Pinnacle Award recognizes cities that have done an outstanding job servicing their meetings, incentive travel programs, trade shows and conventions during the previous year – and is actually voted on by Successful Meetings magazine readers who are meeting planners, themselves.

Readers of Successful Meetings magazine -- corporate and association executives with meeting planning responsibilities – registered to become Pinnacle Reviewers via online ballots and gave feedback based on their professional experiences worldwide. Reviews are based on a scale of 1-10 (10 being best) across the following four categories:

Area Group Amenities,
Quality/Availability of Information,
Quality/Variety of Services & Facilities,
Service/Responsiveness of Staff

The 2009 Pinnacle Award Winners were listed in the August Pinnacle Registry in print and are online at www.successfulmeetings.com/pinnacle.

Syracuse Nationals Director Bob O’Connor speaks kindly about his ten years of experience working with the Syracuse CVB to promote and grow the Syracuse Nationals.

“With all of the hospitality choices that meeting and event planners have these days, any property that wins a Pinnacle Award is obviously in the highest tier of quality in the hospitality field,” said Vince Alonzo, Successful Meetings’ editorial director. “And the best part is that it is planners themselves who are making this distinction, thus giving a credible stamp of approval that others can use when deciding where to host a meeting, incentive, convention, or trade show.”

“Tourism, which includes meetings and conventions, is big business in Onondaga County,” said Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau President David Holder. “Seven consecutive years of earning a Pinnacle Award is a true testament to the superior services provided by the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as the positive impact the CVB has on the Greater Syracuse economy.”

Year to date, in 2009, the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau booked 34,265 room nights, resulting in an estimated economic impact of over $40 million and counting. Plus, convention delegates spend approximately $266 a day for lodging, food, gas, shopping, and entertainment.

The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau is working harder than ever to bring in more convention business, to keep this valuable economic engine going. Groups have plenty of choices of cities to hold their conventions, and it is a testament to the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau that they continue to choose Syracuse!

SCVB President David Holder calls the staff of the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau on stage to be commended for their devotion to excellence and superior service.

Local meeting planners from seven organizations participate in the celebration to symbolize the seventh consecutive Pinnacle Award.

SCVB Snapshot

A visually enhanced edition of the Syracuse Convention & Visitor Bureau’s Mid-Year Report was sent to industry partners and public officials. The report showcases the positive impact the SCVB has on the status of tourism in Onondaga County. If you are interested in viewing the Mid-Year report, please e-mail Linda Woodrow at LWoodrow@VisitSyracuse.org.

The group celebrates a successful U.S. Snowshoe Association press conference. From L to R: Jeff Mickle, SCVB; Chary Griffin, USSSA athlete; Candace Bosworth, USSSA executive director; David Holder, SCVB; Michael Bucek, USSSA marketing director; Jon Cooley, Onondaga County Parks; and Brian Kelley, Highland Forest Park.

Many members of the Syracuse media community attended the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau’s press conference to officially announce the booking of another national sporting event coming to Onondaga County in 2010. The United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA) will bring the 2010 PowerSox U.S. National Snowshoe Championships to Highland Forest Park, March 5-7, 2010. The park’s well-known Skyline Lodge will serve as the primary venue for the weekend’s events. The championship returns to New York, the state of the USSSA’s origin, to celebrate USSSA’s Tenth Annual National Championship. More than 300 winter sports enthusiasts from across the country and Canada are expected to take to the trails of Highland Forest Park over the course of the two-day national championship events, resulting in an estimated $292,000 economic impact, according to the SCVB.

The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau organized a media tour for Ottawa, Ontario “Parent Blogger” Andrea Tomkins and family. The SCVB met with Andrea during a summer media blitz in Canada. Andrea and her family enjoyed a fun-filled fall weekend in Syracuse and took advantage of many local attractions, made possible by several industry partners including: Syracuse University Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center, Everson Museum of Art, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, The Museum of Science and Technology, Carousel Center, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Andrea’s blog describing her trip to Syracuse is available at www.quietfish.com/notebook. If your business is interested in participating in future media tours, please contact Danica Bryant at DBryant@VisitSyracuse.org.
The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau participated in Fort Drum’s Winter Tourism Fair. Information was provided to soldiers and their families on things to see and do in the Greater Syracuse area.
In the month of October 2009, 20 groups were serviced by the SCVB for events that drew nearly 18,000 delegates and $13.2 million in estimated travel spending.
The SCVB sales and services team held a Town Hall meeting for hotel sales partners to discuss sales strategies and plan tradeshows and sales missions for 2010.
The SCVB worked closely with the Syracuse Center of Excellence in support of the international conference, Healthy Buildings 2009 (HB2009). HB2009 attracted over 1,000 attendees from locations all over globe.
Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament returns to Syracuse for the sixth year and takes place at the Oncenter Complex from October 28 – November 3. The SCVB plays a pivotal role servicing the event.
SCVB Sales Manager Rachel Alcaro was joined by representatives from the Doubletree Hotel, Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool, Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center and Oncenter Complex, at Rejuvenate, a tradeshow for faith-based meeting planners and destinations. The Syracuse team was able to meet with many potential clients.
SCVB Vice President of Sales and Services Tracey Kegebein and Director of Sports Development Jeff Mickle traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to attend the Travel Events and Management in Sports (TEAMS) tradeshow. There, the pair was able to meet and network with over 300 sporting event suppliers and destinations.

VisitSyracuse.org Activity

September 2009 – 13,815 visitors to the Web site
September 2008 – 12,688 visitors to the Web site
532 followers on Twitter
4,253 fans on Facebook

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