Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau
Address: 572 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: 800-234-4797 or 315-470-1908
Fax: 315-471-8545
Contact Name: Tracey Kegebein
Contact Email: tkegebein@VisitSyracuse.org
Website: VisitSyracuse.org
Description:
Mix Business and Pleasure When You Meet in Syracuse
How do you identify a native Syracusan? By their city’s nickname, The ’Cuse. This hip shortening of the ancient Roman name reflects the local atmosphere: friendly, fun, and relaxed.
At the crossroads of three major highways, and drivable from every metropolitan area in the Northeast and Great Lakes area, Syracuse is a convenient and charming central meeting point. Its vibrant, revitalized downtown flourishes among stately buildings from the 1800s. It is also an ideal launching point for excursions northeast to the Adirondack Mountains, south to the gorges of Ithaca, west to Niagara Falls and the wineries of the Finger Lakes region, and even north into Canada.
The city easily accommodates large meetings and conventions in two main facilities. The award-winning downtown Oncenter Complex comprises three distinctive spaces—the Convention Center (62,250 square feet of exhibit space and a 14,880 square-foot ballroom), the War Memorial (44,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall, 43,500 sq. ft. auditorium with seating for 8,000) and the Civic Center (three theaters with various seating capacities). The EmpireExpo Center, just ten minutes from downtown, is situated on 345 acres and offers over 300,000 square feet of meeting spaces and more than 20,000 free parking spaces.
A variety of accommodations are available in three major hotel clusters, including one cluster conveniently located downtown—within walking distance of meeting sites. Several of those hotels have recently undergone or are undergoing extensive, multi-million dollar renovations, upgrading services and amenities. More than 7,000 hotel rooms are available in the greater Syracuse area, with 4,000 committable to conventions.
As comfortable and relaxing as the hotels are, you won’t want to stay in your room! There is plenty to do throughout the Greater Syracuse area. Syracuse is an eminently walkable city, so be sure to bring sensible shoes and go exploring. A remarkable revitalization effort of the city’s historic districts has been underway for the past ten years with amazing results.
Franklin Square, which borders picturesque Onondaga Creek and its walking path (“Creekwalk”), began as a worn-down warehouse district. It now boasts rehabilitated multi-use structures grouped around a peaceful central green space. These brick, open-loft buildings are proving popular for both businesses and apartment-dwellers.
In the center of downtown physically and figuratively is Clinton Square. Its large reflecting pool and fountains attract lunchers spring through fall. Wintertime it transforms into a popular ice-skating rink, reminiscent of the days when skaters glided on the frozen Erie Canal which ran right through downtown. Clinton Square is also the venue of choice for many festivals and concerts throughout the year.
Armory Square is an upscale quarter. Full of business people by day, it truly wakes up at night as patrons stream into its taverns and restaurants. A variety of trendy boutiques are a favorite shopping spot for many.
Hanover Square is arguably the most enchanting slice of downtown. Set among beautifully designed buildings from the 1800s, there is almost a European feel about it. Specialty shops and pubs line the area. As the days grow longer, many people bring a bag lunch and people-watch as the cooling fountain cuts the noon heat. Warm summer nights bring concerts, dances under the stars, and merry-makers of all stripes.
You will never go hungry in Syracuse. Restaurants of every genre serve every taste—from award-wining barbeque (Dinosaur Bar-B-Que was named the number one barbeque joint in the country by Good Morning America viewers in May 2009) to Vietnamese (with homemade phô) to French to fusion to Mid-Eastern to Italian to Pan-American cuisine. With so many good choices, there is no reason to eat at the same place twice! And if you feel the need to exercise after dinner, there are many county and city parks open for all sorts of recreation.
If you have a car available, it is worth a couple minutes’ drive to see the North Side’s Little Italy, where new restaurants and shops are appearing in distinctive 19th-century buildings. Also visit the West Side’s bustling Tipperary Hill neighborhood, which began as home to the last century’s Irish immigrants. It is also home to the world’s only traffic light where the green light is over the red! (Wondering why? Ask a local.)
While you’re here, you’ll want to shop. There are specialty boutiques throughout the city, and national chains are located in Carousel Center and Shoppingtown Mall. Find barrels of bargains at the Christmas Tree Shops and L. L. Bean Outlet.
So why wait? Mix business and pleasure…Meet in Syracuse, NY!
For more information contact:
Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau
315-470-1910
800-234-4797
Total event space: 65,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall
Total hotel rooms: 6,500 total / 2,000 committable