About
Where Unforgettable Events Come to Life
SKY Armory: Where Memorable Events Begin
SKY Armory didn't start with a building. It started with twenty years of planning other people's events in other people's spaces and quietly taking notes on everything that could be better.
In 1996, Nicole Samolis left a career in retail management to launch The Events Company, a third-party event planning firm serving clients across Central New York, the broader United States, and even Mexico. For nearly two decades, Nicole and her team planned weddings, corporate gatherings, and celebrations of every kind, working out of barns, tents, ballrooms, and venues of all shapes and sizes. They got very good at making spaces work. They also got very clear on what was missing.
As Nicole traveled to other cities and experienced truly distinctive venues, an idea took shape. Why not build the venue they had always wished existed? One designed by planners, for clients, with every operational frustration already solved before the first guest walked through the door.
The planner-first philosophy that drove the concept never changed. When you host an event at SKY Armory, you're not working with a venue coordinator who manages the room. You're working with an event planner who manages the experience. The food is made from scratch. The wines are served in the appropriate glass. The details are handled by people who have spent careers caring about exactly this kind of thing.
You Get a Team, Not Just a Venue
Our Social Mission
SKY Armory operates in a city it genuinely cares about. Syracuse ranks among the highest levels of extreme poverty of any major metropolitan area in the country, and the team at SKY Armory has made a deliberate commitment to being part of the solution.
That commitment shows up in hiring. SKY Armory targets 30% of its workforce from underserved neighborhoods and communities facing economic hardship. Many positions require no formal training and are learned on the job, which allows the team to hire for what matters most: attitude. Every new team member they recruit has a desire to work hard, a natural inclination toward hospitality, and a willingness to grow.
SKY Armory also actively supports organizations working to end poverty in Syracuse, believing that a thriving hospitality business and a thriving community are not separate goals.
Our Green Initiative
SKY Armory takes its environmental responsibility seriously, and has built sustainable practices into daily operations across the board.
1.
Conservation
2.
Local Sourcing
SKY Armory works with local and regional farmers for sustainable food products and purchases goods and services from local and woman-owned businesses wherever possible. Supporting the local economy is as much a part of the mission as supporting the community.
3.
Waste Reduction
The Event Specialists Helping Turn Your Vision Into Reality
Meet Our Team
Nicole Samolis
Owner & Visionary
Nicole Samolis with husband and business partner Kevin founded SKY Armory with a vision to redefine the event experience in Syracuse. With decades of wedding and event planning expertise, she created a venue that combines exceptional hospitality, outstanding cuisine, thoughtful design, and seamless service under one roof.
She believes that great food, exceptional service, beautiful design, and personalized experiences are the foundation of a successful event. Together with her team, she continues to innovate and elevate the guest experience for weddings, corporate gatherings, galas, and special celebrations.
Playtime for Nicole means being outdoors. It's sipping wine on the patio with friends, rowing with her Syracuse Chargers crewmates, hiking and canoeing in the Adirondacks and spending time in sunny California with her son and and daughter-in-law and soon-to-arrive granddaughter.
Kevin Samolis
CFO
As CFO of SKY Armory, Kevin Samolis oversees accounting, human resources, and facility operations while helping ensure every event runs seamlessly behind the scenes. Whether he's managing payroll, maintaining the building, or supporting the culinary team during busy weekends, Kevin is always ready to step in wherever he's needed.
Working alongside Owner Nicole Samolis and the SKY team, Kevin helps bring every celebration to life through thoughtful planning and careful execution. He believes preparation is the key to a successful event and encourages couples to ask questions early and trust the planning process.
From maintaining the venue to supporting the team behind the scenes, Kevin's dedication helps create the seamless, stress-free experience that defines every SKY Armory celebration.
Lisa Gasque
Senior Event Planner
For more than five years, Lisa has been a trusted member of the SKY Armory team, guiding couples through every step of the wedding planning process. Her calm approach, thoughtful guidance, and attention to detail help make planning feel organized, enjoyable, and stress-free.
From the first consultation to the wedding day, Lisa brings each couple's vision to life by coordinating timelines, managing vendors, and ensuring every detail is perfectly in place. With years of experience and a genuine passion for creating unforgettable celebrations, she gives couples the confidence to relax and fully enjoy their special day.
Christine Laniewski
Head Chef
Meet Christine Laniewski, Head Chef at SKY Armory.
Originally from Sandy, Utah, Chef Christine built the foundation of her career in locally owned, independent scratch kitchens. An honors graduate in Culinary Arts, she also holds specialized certifications in hospitality management and other areas of the industry.
Alongside her partner and biggest supporter, Jonathan, Christine owned and operated a boutique catering company specializing in custom event planning and elevated food service. The two later spent several years traveling and working at seasonal destination resorts throughout Washington and along the Oregon coast.
After moving to New York, Christine served as Banquet Sous Chef at Turning Stone Resort Casino, where she specialized in weddings, charitable galas, and events of all kinds. She has also shared her culinary knowledge through specialized, hands-on cooking classes.
Now at SKY Armory, Chef Christine leads our culinary team in creating fresh, from-scratch menus and memorable dining experiences for weddings, corporate gatherings, and special celebrations.
Angela
Lead Florist
With more than 40 years of experience in the floral industry, Angela brings exceptional knowledge, creativity, and passion to every wedding and event at SKY Armory. After discovering traditional schooling wasn't the right fit, she found her calling through the mentorship of a talented florist who inspired a lifelong career in floral design.
For the past four years, Angela has been an integral part of the SKY Armory team, guiding couples through personalized design meetings, sourcing blooms, creating custom floral arrangements, and working closely with the design team to bring each vision to life.
As a full-service florist, Angela designs everything from personal flowers and ceremony installations to reception florals, tablescapes, and room décor. Her artistic eye and attention to detail ensure every celebration feels cohesive, elegant, and uniquely tailored to each couple.
The SKY Armory Team
Hospitality, Culinary & Event Professionals
Behind every successful SKY Armory event is a talented team of hospitality professionals, culinary experts, designers, coordinators, and service staff working together to create extraordinary experiences. Their collaborative approach ensures that every detail from décor and catering to guest service and event execution, is handled with precision and care.
Dedicated to excellence, the SKY Armory team takes pride in delivering personalized service and memorable experiences for every client.
You Get a Team, Not Just a Venue
Join Our Team
SKY Armory is always looking for talented, hospitality-minded people to join the team. Whether you're pursuing a career in the events industry or looking for flexible part-time work, there's a place for you here.
Current openings include positions in culinary, banquet and catering captains, servers and bartenders, dishwashers and housekeeping, and facility maintenance. Shifts are available in four, six, and eight-hour increments to fit a range of schedules.
To apply, email your completed application to [email protected] or complete the contact form below.
We hire for attitude. If you work hard, genuinely enjoy helping people, and want to be part of a team that takes hospitality seriously, we want to hear from you.
Contact Us For More Information
Plan Your Special Occasion at SKY Armory
Complete the form below to connect with the SKY Armory team. CLICK HERE to schedule a personalized tour.
