The Oncenter Complex will welcome back top equestrians from across the world to compete in the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in 2009, 2010, and 2011, according to Sandra L. Baker, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at the Oncenter Complex.

Since he founded the tournament in 2003, John Madden has seen a steady increase in both participating horses and public attendance.  With a sold out and record-breaking 2008, the show was attended by more than 12,000 patrons, and the economic impact on the region was larger than ever.

In 2008, the Syracuse Invitational hosted the ASPCA Maclay Championship for the fourth year, and added the 125th National Horse Show to its schedule.  These events will all return in 2009, to further enhance the tournament.  The event will also continue to include entertainment, shopping, and exhibitions, along with the best in competition.

The Oncenter Complex, in partnership with the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB), celebrates the official commitment from the tournament management team.

“We are thrilled to confirm that the 7th annual Syracuse Invitational will be held in our facility in 2009, and look forward to seeing this spectacular event returning in 2010 and 2011,” said Terri Toennies, President/CEO of the Oncenter Complex.

The Syracuse Invitational and National Horse Show will run October 28 to November 1, 2009.  Tickets will be available in September.

Pictured: John Madden, Director of the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, Inc., shakes hands with Sandra L. Baker, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at the Oncenter Complex, after signing the new contract. They are surrounded by members of the Syracuse Invitational management team (Connie Sawyer, Megan Maloney, Heather Kallas, and Allison Stevens) as well as Oncenter Complex representatives (Danielle Goss, and Linda Natoli).

The Oncenter Complex, a multi-venue exhibition, convention and entertainment facility in Syracuse, N.Y., consists of three sites.  The Complex is centrally located in the Northeast to attract both regional and national events that contribute to the economic and cultural development of Onondaga County.  The Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter is a 99,000-square-foot structure ideal for major conventions, meetings, banquets, consumer shows, trade shows, car shows, exhibitions and corporate awards dinners.  The space includes exhibition halls, a grand ballroom, and breakout meeting rooms.  Next door, the War Memorial Arena at Oncenter has the versatility to accommodate numerous large-scale events, including ice shows, family shows, car shows, concerts, sports events and conventions.  Finally, the John H. Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter is home to three beautiful, distinct theaters that host a diverse variety of events, from stage productions to business meetings.  The Oncenter Complex has received the Inner Circle Award, for being one of the top 15 convention centers in the nation, for ten consecutive years.  For more information, visit www.oncenter.org.