SYRACUSE, NY – (Feb. 24, 2016) – As the restoration of the historic former Hotel Syracuse enters its next stages, the Marriott Syracuse Downtown is ready to step into its role as the official headquarters hotel for Onondaga County Convention Center, also known as The Oncenter Convention Center. Starting today, the hotel will begin to take long-term reservations for events at The Oncenter occurring in June of 2016 and later. The hotel, managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts, a nationally renowned operator, is also preparing to earn accreditation from the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC), which sets quality standards for meeting and conference centers worldwide.
“The county of Onondaga and the State of New York has supported us throughout the entire restoration process, and now we’re preparing to give back,” said Ed Riley, hotel owner and leader of the restoration. “As the headquarters hotel for The Oncenter, we’ll be able to provide visitors to our city with a premier, must-experience hotel in downtown Syracuse that has modern facilities for large corporate and social events.”
In December 2014, the Marriott Syracuse Downtown was chosen unanimously by Onondaga County legislators to be the official headquarters hotel of The Oncenter. Since then, the hotel restoration has centered on modernizing the structure while preserving its unique historic architecture. IACC accreditation is a major part of the restoration plan.
“Our partnership with the Marriott Syracuse Downtown allows us to provide even greater options for meetings planners and large associations and groups coming to Syracuse,” said Kelly Carr, general manager of the Oncenter. “Between the Oncenter and Marriott Syracuse Downtown, we will now be able host larger local, regional and national conventions, tradeshows and meetings.”
“The IACC guidelines are followed by the best meeting facilities in the world,” said Paul McNeil, general manager for the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. “We’re fulfilling these requirements with skilled staff members, state-of-the-art high-tech services ranging from high-speed wireless Internet to built-in video systems for presentations and videoconferences, carefully calibrated acoustics and lighting, over 41,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, in addition to what is located in The Oncenter, and dedicated food and beverage service.”
The addition of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown as the official headquarters hotel of The Oncenter will add much-needed accommodations to the downtown area and draw even more convention business to Syracuse.
“Marriott Syracuse Downtown is going to be a great advantage to our city and to the Oncenter,” said David Holder, president of Visit Syracuse, the Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re going to be able to offer what other cities can’t: luxury accommodations in a state-of-the-art historic hotel – and within one block of the Oncenter.”
For more information or to inquire about long-term reservations, please visit www.marriottsyracusedowntown.com or call (315) 474-2424.
