Buffalo’s meetings and conventions business continues to increase. Historic buildings are being reborn, and large ballroom space has been added to the central business district where the primary convention facility has undergone a makeover.

In Niagara Falls, Ontario, meetings capacity has been elevated by its one-year-old convention center, the region’s largest. And across the river, Niagara Falls, N.Y., has seen the further revitalization of its Old Falls Street downtown area.

The region has something else to commemorate. “Celebrating 200 years of Peace” is the tagline of the War of 1812 Bicentennial. Special events will be held through 2014, spearheaded by the Niagara 1812 Legacy Council (www.visit1812.com).

Buffalo
Buffalo is located on Lake Erie’s eastern shore at the mouth of the Niagara River just 25 miles from the falls.

Last year was another record-setting year in future group hotel room nights booked by Visit Buffalo Niagara, with 165,644, up from 150,439 in 2010.

“With the continued investment in attractions and hotel properties, we hope to carry this momentum through 2012,” says Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, formerly the Buffalo Niagara CVB. In May of last year, the “Queen City” launched a new rebranding campaign with the slogan, “Buffalo. For Real.”

“Now, more than ever, Buffalo Niagara offers something you can’t find everywhere: an authentic city experience without the big city hassles and pricing,” she says. “Planners will find the newly renovated Buffalo Niagara Convention Center surrounded by more than 1,600 new or renovated hotel rooms, along with incredible attractions and great nightlife.”