Economy

Buffalo's Convention Center Blues

Buffalo's aging convention center is struggling. What should become of it now?
Courtesy: Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Even for a city used to more than its fair share of rejection, this had to sting. After a recent visit, the National Association of Sports Commissions decided Buffalo's convention center was too "dated" to host its 700 attendees. In a letter, Director of Meetings and Events Beth Hecquet wrote:

That's a big blow, particularly because the county invested $7 million to upgrade the center just two years ago. At the time, officials spoke of "rebranding" the space, installing a digital signboard outside, updating the kitchen, and ditching the "orange chairs and '70s walls."