named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Events Calendar
Curated listing of annual festivals, concerts, sports events, and cultural happenings to attract tourism year-round.
Insider Blog
Content platform featuring local experiences, hidden gems, and seasonal activities to engage travelers.
Neighborhood Promotion
Marketing initiative highlighting distinct neighborhoods and towns including Armory Square, Skaneateles, and University Hill to drive regional visitation.
Visitor Guide
Comprehensive guide to Syracuse and Onondaga County attractions, accommodations, dining, and events distributed to potential visitors.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organizes and promotes regional events and festivalsPlans and publicizes dozens of annual events, festivals, and cultural experiences centered on food, music, and community, including programming around the Great New York State Fair and other key regional happenings in Onondaga County.
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Regional Tourism Promotion 1 activity
- Promotes tourism and visitor spending in Syracuse and Onondaga CountyDrives economic development by promoting Syracuse and Onondaga County as a destination for visitors, generating nearly $1.2 billion in annual direct visitor spending through marketing and visitor services.
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Visitor Information and Trip Planning Services 1 activity
- Provides visitor information and travel planning resourcesOffers curated itineraries, self-guided tours, and comprehensive guidance on attractions, accommodations, dining, cultural events, and recreational activities for visitors to Syracuse and the surrounding region, including Skaneateles.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Supports film production in Central New YorkFacilitates film industry activity by supporting the production of dozens of films in the Central New York region, contributing to local economic impact and visibility.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.76M
Contributions & grants$3.71M99%
Program service revenue$47K1%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$7K
expenses
Total expenses$3.73M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$1.61M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.15M
Cash$150K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.01M
Net assets$141K
Liquid reserves0.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +12.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DANNY LIEDKA | PRESIDENT | 40 | $211K |
| CAROL IACONE EATON | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $162K |
| ERIC VINAL | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $138K |
board members · 11
- DAVID AITKEN — DIRECTOR
- DAVID HOYNE — VICE CHAIR
- FRANK CALIVA — TREASUER
- FRANKLIN FRY — DIRECTOR
- ISABELLE HARRIS — DIRECTOR
- JASON TERRERI — DIRECTOR
- JULIE LAFAVE — DIRECTOR
- KATHY RAPP — CHAIR
- KYLE HARES — DIRECTOR
- PETER CASPER — DIRECTOR
- TONY MANGANO — DIRECTOR
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards Partner — Collaborates with Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards for fall-themed events including hayrides and orchard visits.
- Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards Partner — Featured attraction and tourism partner promoting agritourism in the Syracuse region.
- Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards Partner — Featured partner in fall itinerary for apple-picking and cider tasting.
- Beaver Lake Nature Center Partner — Featured partner in fall itinerary for hiking, paddling, and nature programs.
- Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub Partner — Partners with Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub for Green Beer Sunday and other St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- Critz Farms Partner — Features and promotes The Blueberry Jam festival hosted at Critz Farms in Cazenovia, NY.
- Cuse Culture Partner — Collaborates on community events such as The Reunion Fest in downtown Syracuse.
- Destiny USA Partner — Featured attraction and tourism partner offering shopping, dining, and entertainment in Syracuse.
- Empire State Development Government — Collaborates directly with Visit Syracuse in its role as Onondaga County’s official Tourism Promotion Agency.
- Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview Partner — Promotes summer concert events at the Empower FCU Amphitheater as part of regional music offerings.
- Erie Canal Museum Partner — Featured partner in fall itinerary for historical tours and canal education.
- Everson Museum of Art Partner — Featured cultural attraction and tourism partner in Syracuse.
- Everson Museum of Art Partner — Featured partner in fall itinerary for art exhibitions and seasonal events.
- Green Lakes State Park Partner — Featured partner in fall itinerary for glacial lake access and fall foliage viewing.
- I Love NY Government — Partners with Visit Syracuse through its designation as Onondaga County’s official Tourism Promotion Agency.
- Instagram Partner — Platform used to share travel inspiration for Skaneateles.
- JMA Wireless Dome Partner — Works with the JMA Wireless Dome to promote SU basketball and football games as part of seasonal visitation offerings.
- Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) Partner — Highlights the MOST as a destination that complements public art exploration in downtown Syracuse.
- New York State Fairgrounds Partner — Key venue and tourism partner hosting major annual events including the New York State Fair.
- Palace Theater Partner — Partners with the Palace Theater to host events such as the Salt City Horror Fest.
- Rosamond Gifford Zoo Partner — Co-promotes the Brew at the Zoo event held at the zoo’s premises.
- Rosamond Gifford Zoo Partner — Featured family attraction and tourism partner in Syracuse.
- Skaneateles Village Partner — Featured partner in fall itinerary for shopping and lakeside tourism.
- Springside Farm Partner — Featured partner in fall itinerary offering pumpkin patch, corn maze, and seasonal treats.
- St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview Partner — Collaborates with the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview for outdoor music events and performances by national recording artists.
- TikTok Partner — Platform used to share travel inspiration for Skaneateles.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Tourism as Economic Development Enginemethodology: economic-development-through-tourismBy promoting Syracuse as a destination for leisure, conventions, events, and film production, the organization stimulates regional economic growth because increased visitation drives spending, supports local businesses, and creates jobs.
- Year-Round Tourism Activationmethodology: four-season-tourismBy programming seasonal events and promoting four-season activities in culture, cuisine, and outdoors, the organization sustains visitor engagement throughout the year because continuous offerings reduce seasonality barriers and broaden appeal across traveler segments.