Buffalo Niagara Convention Center completes renovation

October 7, 2010

The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center (BNCC) welcomed approximately 300 guests to celebrate the completion of the center’s $7 million renovation.

“This beautiful new space provides a gateway to bring visitors into the heart of Buffalo, New York and leave them wanting to explore more of what Erie County has to offer,” said Barbara Miller-Williams, Erie County legislature chair.

Guests enjoyed breakfast, took tours of the center, listened to a performance by the Colored Musicians Club House Band, and heard speakers; Gary Praetzel, chairman of the board of directors, Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau (BNCVB); Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, president & CEO, BNCVB, and Paul Murphy, facility director, BNCC.

“The renovations to the BNCC are an important piece in the BNCVB’s broader effort to rebrand Buffalo as an attractive tourism and convention destination,” said Praetzel. “We will leverage this improved facility, recent upgrades to our region’s hotel stock and our community’s world-class attractions to bring visitors, and their dollars, to Buffalo and Erie County.”

The 110,000 square foot center was closed from June 14 to Sept. 10, as crews worked to upgrade the building, including the following renovations:
• A new main entrance and state-of-the-art electronic marquee.
• A top-to-bottom facelift for the main exhibit hall.
• Resurfaced floor
• Painted ceiling
• New flexible lighting
• Added sound baffles and acoustical treatments
• Renovated concession areas
• New wall coverings
• Updated signage
• Renovated show offices
• New carpet
• Re-designed kitchen with new equipment, and new chef’s table and tasting room

“My administration has made attracting tourists a top priority,” said Chris Collins, Erie County executive. “These renovations will help attract first rate conventions and events to Buffalo and Erie County. We are thrilled with the results of this investment of county dollars. The improvements to the convention center were long overdue and bring us up to date with what they’re offering at other convention centers around the nation.”

Funding for the renovation came from the Erie County, with the project team consisting of Michelle Mazzone and Jeff Zack of Erie County, and Richard Nardini and Thomas Zilka of BHNT Architects.