| In this issue | | This month’s calendar highlights
NYS YMCA Swimming
March 15 – March 19
1,200 attendees
United States Flag and Touch Football League
March 23 – March 25
600 attendees
NYS Bar Association
March 29 – March 31
150 attendees
NYS Association of Fire Chiefs
March 29 – March 31
100 attendees
Pepsi Cola Invitational
March 29 – April 1
2,500 attendees
American Association of Airport Executives
April 13 – April 19
800 attendees
NYS Association for the Education of Young Children
April 18 – 22
2,000 attendees
NYSUT (New York State United Teachers)
April 26 – April 29
2,800 attendees View the complete Visit Buffalo Niagara Calendar. | | | | CONTACT US
Visit Buffalo Niagara
617 Main Street
Suite 200
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 852-0511
visitbuffaloniagara.com
Are you interested in having Visit Buffalo Niagara speak to your group about the economic impact of tourism in WNY?
Please change my email address |  | | WNY Hotel Numbers on the rise | | Smith Travel Research numbers show that in 2011, Buffalo and Erie County reported a 66.1% hotel occupancy rate, up 2.4% from 2010. Average daily rate also has increased from $87.98 in 2010 to $90.96 in 2011, an increase of 3.4% over the same period in 2010. Hotel occupancy and ADR are considered key economic factors in the hospitality industry. These numbers and current trends have caught the attention of a number of developers who will be renovating existing properties or building new to accommodate the demand.
Recent announcements of new hotel development include Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn and the Hotel Lafayette coming online in downtown Buffalo; in the suburbs a Town Place Suites by Marriott and a 105-hotel room multi-use building on Main Street in Amherst. Completed hotel renovations include the Adams Mark Hotel, Hyatt Regency Buffalo and Comfort Inn and Suites.
Erie County currently has approximately 9,000 hotel rooms, including an estimated 1,800 in downtown Buffalo. | | Everyone into the pool! | |  Between January and March, Downtown Buffalo’s Erie Community College Burt Flickinger Center will host eight swim events. This includes championships for the A-10 Athletic Conference, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the SUNY Athletic Conference. The New York State YMCA Swim Championships, this year’s largest meet, boasts 1,200 attendees, 1,600 room nights and almost $1 million in economic impact. All told, in 2012, swim events will attract 7,260 attendees using 8,960 room nights, and generate $5.6 million in economic impact. | |  Weird or What? | |  (February 17th, 2012) University of Buffalo vampire folklore expert John Edgar Browning was interviewed at Skinnersville Cemetery in Amherst for an upcoming episode of William Shatner’s “Weird or What”. Look for Dr. Browning's segment to air nationally on the Discovery Channel and on Canada’s History Network. The Buffalo Niagara Film Office facilitated the location and permits for this shoot. |  Congratualtions Kathy Snyder Egan | Congratulations to Kathy Snyder Eagan, President, Beaver Hollow who was recently recognized by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International as one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing as part of its annual Adrian Awards.
The recognition is awarded to the top 25 in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, whom the judges deem exemplary in several areas, including: creativity and innovation; cutting edge sales or marketing campaigns, triumph in challenging situations; and successful sales efforts. | | Nominations for Travel and Tourism Beacon Awards due March 30 |  Erie County will honor the best and brightest in the tourism industry at its second annual Travel and Tourism Beacon Awards luncheon May 10 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. The Beacon Awards highlight stellar work in travel and tourism and the winners set examples that others in the industry can follow.
VBN is also excited to announce its first inductee into the Greater Buffalo Ambassador Hall of Fame, honoring a current or former Buffalo Niagara resident that is distinguished in their profession and has used their notoriety to continually boost Buffalo. This is an event you won’t want to miss! Tickets to the luncheon are $15; table sponsorships are also available. Contact Cindy Kincaide to purchase tickets or to ask questions. | Follow us on  |  |  |  |   | |
