The iconic cataracts of Niagara Falls were formed 10,000 years ago as the massive glaciers of the last ice age slowly retreated.
These days, development in the region moves much faster. A cascade of recent new and upgraded properties, including a large new convention center, is luring bigger and more diverse meetings, while dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities also keep pace with planners’ needs.
The cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, N.Y., both offer more and better conference facilities and group opportunities than ever before, thriving green sensibilities and burgeoning dining and outdoor recreation scenes. They’re two different angles from which to see some of the best views in the world.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
In just under a year, the new 280,000-square-foot Niagara Convention and Civic Centre will open its doors and revolutionize the Niagara Falls convention market. The city is already encountering great enthusiasm from meeting planners, and it’s easy to see why.
"Planners are responding very positively about the ability to now bring large groups to the falls," says Kerry Painter, president of the Niagara Convention and Civic Centre. "Delegates have always had a desire to be here, and of course eager attendees are the goal of a successful planner, however, the group-size ability was limited until now. The facility has made an effort through marketing studies and round tables to address planners’ needs and desires. To that end, the facility is LEED Silver-designed and will operate sustainably as a standard."
Even the menus at the new center will be something to write home about, according to Painter.
"Food Network chef Anna Olson is our endorsing chef," Painter says. "She’ll be designing seasonal menus to highlight locally grown ‘sense of place’ culinary experiences. We hear attendees want to remember the place they visited, and inspired local food and wines along with the falls bring that memory home."
Besides its green design and field-to-table menu with wine pairings, the center will offer 80,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 17,000-square-foot ballroom, a 1,000-seat theater and more than 26,000 square feet of meeting rooms. There are more than 5,500 guest rooms within walking distance of the new center, and the city boasts a total of more than 16,000 guest rooms.
Meanwhile, Niagara Falls conference facilities have poured millions into recent upgrades to create a refreshed and expanded portfolio in keeping with the city’s new ability to draw larger meetings.
Sheraton Fallsview Hotel and Conference Centre, which sits in front of the new Niagara Convention and Civic Centre and features 40,000 square feet of function space, recently completed a multimillion-dollar guest room and lobby renovation.
Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview recently completed the first phase of a multimillion-dollar transformation. The property, which will be the tallest hotel tower in Canada, currently offers 1,000 guest units. When the expansion opens in spring 2012, it will include 40,000 square feet of meeting space.
Additionally, Sheraton on the Falls plans to complete improvements to its 670 guest rooms in 2011.
Following a major redevelopment, Table Rock Center offers more amazing meeting venues than ever before at the brink of Horseshoe Falls.
Other top conference facilities include Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel & Spa, with 432 guest units and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space overlooking the falls. The Marriott is adjacent to Fallsview Casino Resort, with 28,000 square feet of meeting space.
With a stellar wine-growing region and fertile farms in its backyard, Niagara Falls is the perfect place to focus on group dining events.
"Delectable international cuisine is the cornerstone of Niagara Falls dining, and the prolific Niagara wine region lends a regional flair to the diverse options," Painter says. "From elegant falls-view dining and wine bars to casual pubs and grills, no matter what your taste, you’ll find it in Niagara."
It’s easy to plan a splendid evening for groups in Niagara’s revitalized downtown, complete with dining and entertainment. Development organization Downtown Niagara Falls can work with planners to create a customized experience for groups of nearly any size.
"We have an abundance of restaurants, boutique stores, art galleries, spas and attractions with which to entertain visiting groups," says Karen Mariano, director of sales and marketing for Downtown Niagara Falls. "Dine-around opportunities, progressive dinner tours and even progressive art and retail tours are possibilities. We could even entertain the idea of closing up the street to traffic if the event is large enough."
Dinner theater is alive and well in Niagara Falls. One option is The Buttery, a favorite attraction from Niagara-on-the-Lake relocated in 2009 to Queen Street. An evening there features a five-course medieval banquet and a performance by King Henry and his court. For a melodious evening of dinner and entertainment, Oh Canada Eh? dinner show is a musical celebration of all things Canadian. Another exciting dinner show is Greg Frewin Theatre, a Las Vegas-style magic revue featuring live tigers.
Unique downtown conference facilities include Seneca Theatre, which was built in 1945, closed for many years, and received a complete restoration in 2009.
A tour of the famous falls is an integral experience for groups. Niagara Parks offers a selection of group packages for falls and wine tours and admission to other top attractions, plus discount cards for delegate welcome bags. The organization also provides eye-catching falls images for event materials.
It’s been known for its water, not its grass, but this is changing as the area becomes an increasingly popular golfing destination.
"Niagara is fast becoming a top choice for golfers who demand excellent courses and a variety of challenges," says Joanne St-Pierre, citywide director of sales at Niagara Falls Tourism. "Niagara is on par with the world, offering an incredible selection of quality golf courses sure to please the most discriminating golfer. With more than 40 championship golf courses and one of the longest playing seasons in Canada, we can also work with our golf partners to assist you in planning your golf event for your delegates."
Looking forward, planners can expect Niagara Falls, Ontario, to be a growing center for green meetings and group activities with a strong emphasis on natural beauty and outdoor resources.
"Creating a healthy, sustainable future for the Niagara Region is a top priority for our government, businesses and residents," St-Pierre says. "Niagara is privileged to offer the natural wonder of the falls, the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment, our world renowned gardens and parks and so much more. Being surrounded by all this natural beauty leads to a perfect setting for a sustainable meeting. Niagara is committed to a green future with developments such as the LEED-certified Silver level convention center."
Niagara Falls, New York
Across the border, the slightly smaller city of Niagara Falls, N.Y., is nestled at the foot of the falls themselves. Besides the spectacular views, meetings here offer affordability and convenient transportation.
"Our core convention hotels are all within walking distance of our major meeting venues, restaurants, attractions and the world-famous falls," says Elizabeth Davis, director of sales at Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation (NTCC). "This cuts down, if not eliminates, the need for transportation. This definitely helps those organizations who are watching their budgets. Our rich history, affordable hotels and again, the walkability factor, make us a huge hit in the military reunion and the New York State association markets."
The latest news in the destination is a soon-to-launch program combining philanthropy with environmental awareness.
"NTCC is very excited about an upcoming new green initiative program for meetings," Davis says. "In appreciation of our convention business and as the Niagara USA hospitality partners’ response to both being green and socially responsible, the NTCC and some of our convention hotels are partnering with our local Community Missions organization. It will combine environmental education with charitable giving and enable groups to do good just by meeting in Niagara USA."
Conference Center Niagara Falls is the city’s largest conference facility, with 116,000 square feet of function space.
Large conference facilities include Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel, with 486 guest rooms and more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space, and Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls, with 391 guest rooms and 17,000 square feet of meeting space. Fallside Hotel and Convention Center offers 200 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Giacomo, a 38-room boutique hotel housed in a building listed as a Historic Landmark, opened in December. The Art Deco property features European decor and butler service.
Groups shouldn’t miss Niagara Falls State Park, home of the famous Maid of the Mist boat as well as the Cave of the Winds tour, and, of course, the park’s majestic namesake. The park is walkable from nearly every meeting venue.
The historic Rapids Theatre, a 1920s movie house on Main Street, reopened in late 2009 after a $1.8 million renovation. The venue now offers 19,000 square feet of flexible space.
Bargain hunters take note: Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA is full of better deals than ever after a $20 million renovation and expansion last year. There are now more than 150 designer stores with outlet pricing.
The nearby communities of Lockport, North Tonawanda and Lewiston are also popular sightseeing destinations. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, operating out of Lewiston, offers thrilling trips for groups. Lewiston also offers the upscale boutique Barton Hill Hotel and Spa, which has three meeting rooms.
"I think our future is quite bright," Davis says. "We have new hotels coming on-line and some older hotels are going through complete renovations and should be back on the market in the next few years. Meeting planners and attendees as well are becoming more and more aware that Niagara USA has more to offer than just the majesty of the falls."
Kelly Crumrin is a frequent contributor to Meetings East.
