Syracuse Chamber Business Show returns to State Fairgrounds

SYRACUSE - A large venue located on one floor enticed the Syracuse Chamber Business Show planners to move the annual business event back to the New York State Fairgrounds this year, Chamber officials say.

We had an excellent response from members for both the Oncenter and New York State Fairgrounds

as venues for the business show. In 2008, our decision to go back to the Fairgrounds is based strictly on venue size, says Beth Savicki, marketingcommunications specialist for the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. Having all exhibitors, food, entertainment, and seminars on one level is the best scenario this year and the Fairgrounds is able to accommodate all that.

The 16th annual Syracuse Chamber Business Show presented by Time Warner Cable Business Class will be held Thursday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Toyota Exhibit Center. Free parking and shuttles are available at the State Fairgrounds, says Karen M. Villi, events coordinator with the Syracuse Chamber.

Villi formerly planned the Chamber Business Show as show director with CenterStage Events, Inc., .an event-planning company formerly based in Camillus. When CenterStage closed last year, the Syracuse Chamber hired Villi to plan the show. She has directed the show since its inception in 1992.

Planning the show internally gives Villi more access to the Chamber's tools, departments, and communication, Savicki says.

As of press time, 250 Central New York businesses had signed up for exhibitor booths. At this time last year, The Central New York Business Journal reported that more than 300 businesses registered. And in 2006, the event drew 325 exhibitors.

About 6,300 people are expected to attend the show. Attendees include the Central New York business community, consumers, and area high-school students. The event is open to the public.

The Syracuse Chamber Business Show gives business owners and managers the opportunity to network with one another.

"[The show] came out of the desire to encourage businesses to work together. We've built onto that over the years," Villi says.

Savicki contends that companies say they join the Chamber for access to net-working and visibility.

This event speaks to both of those benefits, Savicki says.

Looking ahead, the Chamber has not yet decided where to hold the Business Show in 2009.

"The location for the 2009 show is still up in the air. We will survey exhibitors and attendees and base our decision on that feedback," Savicki says.