In March, Empire State Development and I Love New York, the state’s tourism agency, hosted “New York Lessons at the Library” at Manhattan’s magnificent Morgan Library & Museum. Focused on New York’s vast trove of art, culture and historical sites, the evening included comments from Devin Lander, executive director of the Museum Association of New York.
Recognizing both the tourism agency and Governor Andrew Cuomo for their embrace of the importance of museums and culture to New York, Lander noted that with “more than 2,000 museums, we are the richest state in the country when it comes to culture and heritage.”
Fortuitously for this story, representatives from Visit Buffalo Niagara and the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation were among the regional partners in attendance.
As Buffalo, already an American pantheon of art and architecture, celebrates a once-in-a-lifetime renaissance, and Niagara Falls experiences its own development boom, groups will find two model centers of New York’s cultural wealth. With yet more discoveries in Niagara Falls, Canada, the region offers a ready curriculum for enriching agendas.
BUFFALO
Superlatives can scarcely describe the makeover of once rusty Buffalo, as the Queen City of the Great Lakes completes an unprecedented transformation that features nearly $1 billion in tourism-related developments.
“There has never been a better time to meet in Buffalo,” says Patrick Kaler, president & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara. “All this new development, including our revitalized waterfront, restored architectural treasures and new hotels, restaurants, craft breweries and distilleries, builds off Buffalo’s longtime strength as a center for visual and performing arts,” he continues. “From public art displays to numerous galleries and museums, Buffalo’s vibrant arts scene produces a creative energy that winds its way through the city and its meetings venues.”
Considered a hallmark of American architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex reaches a major restoration milestone this year with the completion late this summer of 15 years of work.
Meanwhile, downtown’s 3,000-seat Shea’s Performing Arts Center features touring Broadway shows for a fraction of Manhattan prices and is ideal for opening and closing plenary sessions. Along with a small theater for presentations and sculpture court for receptions, the renowned Albright-Knox Art Gallery offers tours of its preeminent modern art collection, which includes masterworks from Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. Both venues are within convenient reach of the Millennium Buffalo, a prime meetings hotel offering 301 beautifully renovated rooms and suites, 12,000 square feet of event space, complimentary Wi-Fi and other amenities just minutes from Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
Groups will find inviting reception space at the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum, which showcases Buffalo-made automobiles and memorabilia, and includes a 1927 Frank Lloyd Wright gas station finally completed in 2014.
Built in 1939 and designed by the famed Finnish father-and-son team of Eliel and Eero Saarinen, the acoustically perfect Kleinhans Music Hall is home to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and offers several elegant event spaces.
Founded in 1945, global food supplier Rich Products is an enduring Buffalo business success story. Located at the company’s headquarters, the Atrium at Rich’s is a purpose-built event venue for up to 600 guests featuring a three-story fireplace built with 20,000 reclaimed bricks from a 19th century Chicago warehouse.
“These and other extraordinary spaces leave lasting impressions on meetings attendees and serve as terrific off-site experiences for Buffalo conferees,” says Kaler.
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.
The past is helping to drive the future in historic, culturally rich Niagara, as John Percy, president & CEO of the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation, shared with me during the Morgan Library event.
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“As a bucket list destination, tour operators and meeting planners often experience increased attendance when bringing groups to our beautiful destination,” said Percy. “Home to the majestic Niagara Falls, our region teems with historical significance, showcased by the arts and cultural attractions.”
One ready example is Artpark. Located atop the picturesque Niagara River Gorge, this public space stages a full spectrum of entertainment, from live outdoor concerts to Broadway musicals.
Scheduled to complete a multimillion-dollar renovation this month, the Niagara Power Vista, visitor center for the Niagara Power Project, showcases how hydroelectric power transformed the region via 50-plus interactive exhibits.
Percy also recommended Old Fort Niagara, North America’s oldest continuously occupied military site.
“Spanning more than 300 years and site of several significant battles, the fort brings history to life with year-round programming for groups,” he said.
Inspiring, too, are tours of the permanent Freedom Crossing: The Underground Railroad of Greater Niagara exhibit at the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University.
The Rapids Theatre in downtown Niagara Falls is a restored 1929 theater now offering multipurpose space for up to 1,600 people. In nearby North Tonawanda, the Riviera Theatre & Performing Arts Center is a revitalized 1926 silent movie house featuring a mighty Wurlitzer organ and similarly hosting intimate and large-scale events.
“These unique places also provide the opportunity to host meetings and events in a setting certain to excite and intrigue attendees,” said Percy. “You will run out of time before you run out of things to do!”
NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO
An expanding cultural canvas awaits groups across the border in Canada, where Scotiabank Convention Centre offers 288,000 square feet of useable space within walking distance of the world-famous Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
“Niagara boasts a diverse arts and culture community, live entertainment, and a flourishing wine and culinary scene,” says Jody Larose, executive director for the Tourism Partnership of Niagara. “With venues such as the internationally recognized Shaw Festival Theatre enriching our community and the visitor experience, continuing investment in well-appointed facilities reaffirms Niagara’s commitment to fostering arts and culture across the region.”
Located in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, the preeminent Shaw Festival, running from April to October, celebrates its 55th anniversary this year with a custom adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Unique group options include behind-the-scenes tours, pre- and post- show discussions with theater ensembles, workshops and dining options at local wineries.
Other significant cultural coordinates include the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Opened last fall in downtown St. Catharines, this 95,000-square-foot academic and cultural complex features four state-of-the-art, event-capable performance venues, including 781-seat Partridge Hall and Robertson Theatre, with 108 telescopic seats.
Also in St. Catharines, the multipurpose Meridian Centre is Niagara’s largest entertainment venue. Opened in 2014, the 5,300-seat venue, with flexible space for more, can accommodate groups from 20 to 1,000 for a wide range of meetings and events.
