SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Central New York Sales & Marketing Executives (CNYSME) is set to honor Ed Riley as the 45th recipient of its annual Crystal Ball Award.
Riley is the founder of Hotel Syracuse Restoration, LLC, the company that spearheaded the effort to renovate and revive the Hotel Syracuse into what is now the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.
The venue will also host the April 7 event in which CNYSME will present the award to Riley. It’ll be part of the annual Crystal Ball and Sales & Marketing Excellence Awards presentation and celebration.
The prestigious Crystal Ball is awarded annually by CNYSME to a local businessperson or group of businesspeople in recognition of their contributions to the sales and marketing profession and for their endeavors in the areas of community development and support.
The criteria for Crystal Ball recognition includes a person whose visibility impacts the progress and prosperity of Central New York; a leader who demonstrates commitment to superior quality and professionalism; a person who fosters excellence in his/her industry, local involvement in community and civic organizations, and demonstrates and practices an appreciation of the sales and marketing industry, according to a CNYSME news release.
“Ed Riley embodies all of these things and more,” Jaime Lawlor Wager, CNYSME president, said. “His passion for what he does and what he’s brought to Central New York is nothing less than inspirational and we’re excited to add him to the list of esteemed recipients.”
Central New York Sales & Marketing Executives was founded in 1935 and says it is the area’s “recognized voice” of the sales and marketing profession.
In 2014, Riley founded Hotel Syracuse Restoration, LLC and later Brine Wells Development, LLC. Then, he executed the purchase, restoration, and renovation of the closed and “deteriorating” historic Hotel Syracuse, which reopened as the Marriott Syracuse Downtown in 2016, CNYSME said.
About Riley
Riley, a Syracuse native, attended Christian Brothers Academy, Onondaga Community College (OCC), and Syracuse University School of Architecture.
He is a member of the board of directors of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc.; OCC Foundation; HumaneCNY; and the Rescue Mission.
Besides the Crystal Ball Award, Riley has received other awards for his efforts in the community and related to the restoration and reopening of the Hotel Syracuse. They include Outstanding Renovation and Adaptive Reuse award for Bentley Settle Building; OCC Faces Alumni of Distinction; Award for Excellence in Renovating the Hotel Syracuse from Downtown Committee; OHA Gold Metal; and AOH Hibernian.
Recent Crystal Ball Award honorees
Some recent CNYSME Crystal Ball recipients include Laura Serway in 2021; Mark Re of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in 2019; Kimberly Boynton, president and CEO of Crouse Health in 2018; Howard Dolgon, owner, president, CEO, and team governor of the Syracuse Crunch minor-league hockey team in 2014; and Peter Belyea, president of CXtec and TERACAI in 2013.