Groups do not want for inspiration in this Western New York meetings stronghold. That’s naturally ensured by magnificent Niagara Falls, and beneath its fading Rust Belt exteriors, Buffalo’s industrial-strength resiliency and rebirth.
As the former headway of the Erie Canal, this is where America’s might began in earnest, and it’s a motivating environment for groups.
Need to strategize or develop teamwork? In Lockport, just north of Buffalo, be inspired by the landmark “Flight of Five” quintet of locks (and name of a local winery) that once moved boats up and down a 49-foot cut in the Niagara Escarpment.
Creating new success models is the theme today, as the region invests in hotel growth, product enhancement, marketing and more to wow groups.
Buffalo
After serving as the “Gateway to the West” for much of the 19th century, this proud city is welcoming an ever-expanding range of visitors and groups.
“There has never been a better time to meet in Buffalo Niagara,” says Edward Healy, Buffalo Niagara CVB’s vice president of marketing. “Offering 110,000 total square feet of flexible meeting space, the newly-renovated Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is surrounded by more than 1,900 new or renovated hotel rooms,” Healy says.
With another 2,000 rooms coming online soon in Erie County, new properties include a 96-room Courtyard by Marriott, scheduled to open this summer, and the 205-room Marriott Buffalo Harbor Center Hotel, slated for next spring. Major infrastructure investments include the emerging $295 million Canalside redevelopment on Buffalo’s Inner Harbor and adjacent $170 million HarborCenter, a multiuse venue scheduled for completion next year.
The past figures prominently in Buffalo’s future.
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“With Erie Canal history of high interest, Canalside will enhance Buffalo’s position as a group tour destination,” Healy says. “We are also actively marketing Buffalo’s assets to preservation, historical and architectural groups, all of which appreciate our rich history and remarkable 21st century turnaround.”
With renovations nearly complete, two high-profile Frank Lloyd Wright house-museums, the Darwin Martin House Complex and Graycliff Estate, are part of an architectural trove that includes the Richardson-Olmsted Complex. Formerly the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, this 140-year-old National Historic Landmark’s multiuse rebirth includes a hotel, conference and event center slated to open in spring 2016.
International interest continues to build in Buffalo, thanks to the CVB’s increased marketing efforts and events such as Buffalo’s National Garden Festival and Garden Walk Buffalo, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year as the largest free garden tour in the nation.
“Having just hosted rounds two and three of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the region also excels at amateur athletic events, while downtown’s burgeoning Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus make Erie County ideal for hosting medical symposiums and research meetings,” Healy says.
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Revival remains the theme in Niagara USA, with hotel growth supporting turnaround in this historic destination some 20 miles northwest of Buffalo.
“Currently experiencing a renaissance in the region, we expect five more hotels in our walkable downtown area, which will expand our capabilities to serve even larger groups,” says John Percy, CEO and president of Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC).
With more than 4,000 rooms across various price points in Niagara County, groups presently have more than 1,000 committable rooms within walking distance of the IACC-certified Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls, and another 1,000 rooms 10 minutes away.
Development highlights include Canadian hotelier Merani Hospitality’s plans to build a 184-room hotel with an eight-story tower on the site of the defunct Fallside Hotel and Conference Center. Following a refresh of all 604 rooms and suites, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel has also completed a $26 million casino floor makeover, with the $2.9 million upgrade of its outdoor Seneca Square garden area slated to wrap this spring.
On the horizon are new properties from Hampton Inn and Wingate by Wyndham, with a proposed Fairfield Inn and Suites slated to open in 2015.
With enduring assets including Old Fort Niagara, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and Native American Museum of Art, new options include the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute and enhanced agritourism and Niagara Wine Trail options.
“Visiting a Wonder of the World is memorable, unique and economical for a variety of groups,” Percy says. “With so many things to do and experience in Niagara USA, NTCC is ready to assist with coordinating all aspects of planning and arrangements.”
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Niagara Falls, Ontario
Across the border, the message to planners is this: If you want an attendance-breaking or sold-out event, select Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Packed with iconic attractions and surrounded by world-class hotels, unique meeting venues and an award-winning culinary and wine region, Niagara Falls is among the world’s most exciting addresses, according to Vittoria Wikston, director of business development for Niagara Falls Tourism.
“The pretty bow on this package of offerings is, of course, the majestic Niagara Horseshoe Falls,” she says.
In its ongoing quest to position itself as a premier four-season group destination, innovative Niagara Falls continues to improve and develop its product set.
“When announcing Niagara Falls as your event destination, our goal is that your attendees can’t wait to come, spouses or companions beg to come along, and children don’t want to go home,” Wikston says. “Now that’s a successful event.”
Following the $15 million transformation of its Great Room and meeting space, Marriott Gateway on the Falls will complete a refresh of its 425 guest rooms and suites later this year, with its sister property, the 432-room Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview & Spa, now undergoing a similar process. Along with expanding its lobby space, Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites added Spyce Lounge as well as Mercato Market Cafe.
Understanding that no two events or budgets are the same, the destination prides itself on diverse offerings to accommodate groups of every size and nature.
“While specializing in Canadian and American corporate, SMERF and incentive travel business, the new Scotiabank Convention Centre has allowed Niagara Falls to concentrate on the domestic and international association market, attracting citywide events with up to 10,000 attendees,” Wikston says.
Complementing these gatherings, Niagara Falls implemented a fully integrated transportation system (WEGO) enabling attendees to explore the destination as they wish.
“As a natural enticement, Niagara Falls Tourism offers up to $10,000 with their in-kind sponsorship program for groups,” Wikston says. “Combined with Convention Development (CDF) financial offerings from Scotiabank Convention Centre, booking Niagara Falls is a smart financial choice as well.”
Longtime Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heilman frequently wears his foam Buffalo Wing hat while writing.
