CenterState CEO to be presented with 2011 Chamber of the Year Award

ALBANY, NY (09/07/2011)(readMedia)-- The CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CEO)/CenterState Chamber of Commerce will receive a coveted Chamber of the Year Award, announced The Business Council of New York State, Inc. Each year, The Business Council presents Platinum, Gold and Silver Chamber Awards to outstanding chamber organizations and leadership teams.

The award ceremony will be held during the BCNYS Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

"CenterState CEO, under the leadership of Robert Simpson, emphasizes member growth and engagement, as well as regional economic development," said Heather Briccetti, acting-President and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. "Through a strategy that targets key industry sectors, innovation and entrepreneurship, and regional assets such as the area's high concentration of colleges and universities, CenterState CEO supports the well-being of its members and the entire community."

"We are honored to receive this prestigious award from The Business Council, particularly because we were nominated by our members," said Robert M. Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. "Our efforts over the past year have focused on evolving a new chamber model, combining critical business services with economic development. We strive to provide enhanced value for our members while benefitting the entire region. We're grateful for The Business Council's recognition of these efforts."

CenterState CEO, which has 2,000 members, was formed in 2010 by merging the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. CenterState CEO represents a twelve-county region, with Syracuse at its core. In addition to supporting its members with benefits and programs to promote their growth, CEO focuses on community development through affiliates focused on downtown Syracuse, the city's Northside neighborhood, and the University Hill neighborhood. CEO also works to develop new businesses throughout the region through its popular business incubator, The Tech Garden, and with innovative programs like Grants for Growth, CAP Awards, and the Creative Core $250,000 Emerging Business Competition, the largest privately-funded competition of its type in the nation.

The Chamber awards were created as part of The Business Council's Thirtieth Anniversary celebration in 2010. Nominations were accepted at the discretion of The Business Council and judged by an independently chosen panel. CenterState CEO encompasses all of the characteristics of an outstanding chamber. In addition to being a member of The Business Council for the past twelve consecutive months prior to the date of their nomination, CenterState CEO:

• Displays a positive social conscience and commitment to pro-business activities within their community and the state;
• Delivers a high level of programs and services in their community and is active in state and local business advocacy;
• Shows fiscal responsibility for their members and the community and has leadership whose talent, vision, expertise, dedication and performance defines them as outstanding Chamber leaders; and
• Has conducted business operations within New York State for the past twelve consecutive months prior to the date of their nomination.

The reservation deadline is fast approaching for The Business Council's Annual Meeting, which will be held from Sept. 21-23 at The Sagamore Resort on beautiful Lake George. Don't miss your chance to be there! Visit: www.bcnys.org/whatsnew/events/annualmeeting.htm

-30-