CenterState CEO Celebrates 15th Anniversary at 2025 Annual Meeting

Businesses of the Year Winners Announced: VIP Structures, Home Sweet Home Cleaning and Gardening LLC, Oswego County Federal Credit Union, Upstate Medical University and L. Stacks Construction Co. LLC

Annabel R. Chang of Waymo, the world's leading autonomous driving technology company, delivered remarks

Read the Annual Report | Watch Videos from the Event
Meet the Business of the Year Winners
Read or Watch Rob Simpson's Remarks

More than 750 people gathered at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse to celebrate the business community at CenterState CEO’s 2025 Annual Meeting. Through the theme Metamorphic, the event highlighted how pressures from the current cycle of change create a moment of transformation and opportunity to emerge as something stronger. The event also marked the organization’s 15th anniversary.

In his message, CenterState CEO President Robert Simpson talked about the opportunities and challenges our community is faced with as it undergoes a process of significant change, and the key role that innovation plays in accelerating new possibilities for the future.

"Central New York is on a path toward profound transformation. Like a rock that has undergone Metamorphic change, our region is built on a solid foundation, which prepares us to respond to challenges, face new pressures and embrace change,” said Simpson. “Today, amid a new level of success and opportunity, the scale and impact of change and disruption has also accelerated. In fact, the CNY economy is expected to grow more in the next three years than in the past 16 years combined. This is a moment of growth that must be met. The region has faced intense, near-crippling pressures before. Strategically channeling this economic energy, good and bad, in a manner consistent with our values and that looks beyond our immediate horizon at a brighter future will remain the defining challenge for current and future generations of Central New York leaders."

The event included remarks from this year’s featured speaker, Annabel R. Chang, director and head of state policy and government relations at Waymo, the world's leading autonomous driving technology company. In conversation with Simpson at the event, Chang discussed the importance of transparency, collaboration and earning public trust during periods of change, rapidly evolving technologies and industries, and shifting economic and societal conditions.

“Waymo’s fully autonomous driving technology is providing hundreds of thousands of paid passenger trips every week, reducing serious collisions and expanding access to mobility in cities across the country,” said Chang. “Waymo continues to move eastward, with plans to operate in Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., but more is needed in Albany before New Yorkers can realize the benefits of fully autonomous driving. It’s exciting to see CenterState CEO and regional partners build on their vision to make the Empire State a welcoming destination for innovative technologies.”

CenterState CEO also announced the new name of its expanded business incubator located in downtown Syracuse: CenterState’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub. Formerly The Tech Garden, INSPYRE is the largest entrepreneurship hub in New York state following its recent expansion. INSPYRE celebrates Syracuse’s legacy of innovation. No longer primarily focused on seeding tech-based startups, the INSPYRE Innovation Hub will be a space where founders of all industries, sizes and stages of growth can find support. INSPYRE invites everyone to push boundaries and shape what’s next. Read more.

“I am so excited to reintroduce the community to the INSPYRE Innovation Hub and share this building’s next chapter with the entrepreneurs who are making our region more vibrant,” said Simpson. “This state-of-the-art facility is a symbol of CenterState CEO’s commitment to helping the business community thrive as Central New York begins a transformational period of rapid growth. INSPYRE will offer targeted programs, tailored services, events and access to funding and networks that empower entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, from inception to scaling and beyond.”

Business of the Year Winners

CenterState CEO also announced its Business of the Year Award winners at the event, recognizing the outstanding achievements of regional businesses and organizations in five categories. This year’s winners are:

VIP Structures - More than 50 Employees
Additional finalists: Hidden Level, Inc. and Lotte Biologics USA, LLC

Home Sweet Home Cleaning and Gardening LLC - Fewer than 50 Employees
Additional finalists: Chimera Integrations and ConsciousHR

Oswego County Federal Credit Union - Nonprofit
Additional finalists: Loretto and YMCA of Central New York

Upstate Medical University - Community Involvement
Additional finalists: AmeriCU Credit Union and Equitable

L Stacks Construction Co. LLC - Minority-owned Business, presented in partnership with the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance
Additional finalists: Champions Martial Arts Inc. and Cuse Culture Media Group

Visit CenterState CEO's YouTube page to watch videos from the event, including Business of the Year recognitions and remarks from the event’s speakers. Download CenterState CEO’s 2024-2025 Annual Report.