By Mark Scott
Niagara Falls, NY – Governor George Pataki dedicated the Conference Center Niagara Falls Wednesday. So far, more than 100 events have been booked for the 116,000 square foot facility.
Niagara Falls had been without a venue for conventions and conferences for the past two years, following the conversion of the old convention center into the Seneca Niagara Casino. Conference Center spokeswoman Barbara Rice says that put Niagara Falls at a competitive disadvantage.
"We were under the radar screen for two years," Rice said. "When professional meeting planners are looking at Niagara, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Saratoga and Manhattan, there is this rotation that goes throughout the state."
Governor Pataki said it's expected the new conference center will more than double the room nights that used to be booked at area hotels when the old convention center was operating. Rice said if the first month of operation is any indication, that's a realistic goal.
"Word of mouth is out there," Rice said. "People are talking about us. We are working hard to let people know that we are up and running and that these facilities are state-of-the-art."
The $19 million conference center was built on the site of the long-vacant Falls Street Faire complex.
Pataki announced Wednesday that another $500,000 in state funding has been approved to re-develop Third Street outside the conference center as a pedestrian-friendly business and entertainment district.