Make Connections

Events

CenterState CEO organizes a variety of events for the business community, providing an avenue to network with potential clients, vendors or business partners. Each year, more than 70 events facilitate personal and professional connections for thousands of attendees.

Tech Meetups

Syracuse Tech Meetups are sponsored by The Tech Garden and reach over 1,200 regional individuals interested in technology and entrepreneurship. Member businesses are encouraged to attend to make new connections or to share their expertise by creating a Tech Meetup. Topics range from workshops and learning opportunities to hackathons and lectures.  

Economic Champions

Each year, CenterState CEO recognizes local businesses as Economic Champions for their contributions to the economic growth of the CenterState New York region through capital expenditures, hiring of new employees, expansion or relocation due to growth, and for state or national recognition.

Businesses can be nominated as Economic Champions for their accomplishments by peers, employees and staff, or may nominate themselves. Whether they have added one employee or more, expanded operations at their present location or relocated, or used capital expenditures, these businesses have contributed to the economic development of the region.

All eligible nominated companies receive recognition at CenterState CEO's annual Economic Champion event.

CenterState CEO Ambassadors

Businesses in the area celebrating milestone anniversaries, expansions, grand openings or other exciting events can host a CenterState CEO Ambassador event. Ambassadors celebrate the business and publish photos in each newsletter. Volunteer to be a CenterState CEO Ambassador or book your Ambassador event by contacting ambassadors@centerstateceo.com.

Many members benefit from close contact with businesses and customers through our partnerships. 

Downtown Committee of Syracuse focuses on the issues facing business owners in the city of Syracuse. The Downtown Committee successfully partners with CenterState CEO and other community members to encourage growth in the city center through collaborative approaches focused on economic development priorities.

Central New York International Business Alliance (CNYIBA) - As an affiliate program of CenterState CEO, the CNYIBA provides experienced guidance and counseling to companies looking to expand international sales, connecting new-to-export companies with experienced export mentors, and provides export educational events and opportunities.

NUAIR - The NUAIR Alliance is headquartered in Syracuse an is a nonprofit coalition of private and public entities and academic institutions working together to operate and oversee Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) testing in New York, Massachusetts and Michigan. Through its partnership, CenterState CEO provides government relations, communications, and back-office support for the NUAIR mission, while working in concert to advance the economic development opportunities the UAS industry holds for the region.

SyracuseFirst brings together locally owned, independent businesses and organizations dedicated to building a sustainable community by encouraging citizens to "Think Local First." Events such as Tech Meets Taste and the Buy Local Bash draws hundreds of attendees and grow connections between local business owners and their customers.

Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (UMEA) - UMEA's mission is to harness the economic power of the minority community for the benefit of the Upstate and Central New York region, with a vision to create greater regional prosperity through enhanced minority economic opportunity. Through its alliance, UMEA and CenterState CEO offers members of each organization greater opportunity to connect, network and collaborate, while advancing shared goals to create a more inclusive economy.

Visit Syracuse - Visit Syracuse is an affiliate of CenterState CEO and Onondaga County’s official marketing organization, working to generate short-term and future income for businesses, employment for residents and tax revenue for local government.

Learn more about our partners and programs here.