Guide to Meeting & Event Planning in Buffalo, NY

Hotels	152
Total Sleeping Rooms	8,500
Committable Sleeping Rooms*	486
Committable Meeting Rooms*	25
Largest Exhibit Space	64,410 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom	16,200 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $100
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $56
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $319
*Maximum for a single hotel

Buffalo, NY Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to Cvent’s Meeting and Event Planning Guide to Buffalo, a city guide for meeting professionals. This Northeast city is within a 500-mile radius of 39 percent of the U.S. population, not to mention such big Canadian destinations as Toronto. Guests can easily reach the city by air, as the Buffalo Niagara International Airport sees about 110 nonstop flights each day with service to 22 cities. Upon arrival, downtown Buffalo and its attractions await just a 10-minute bus or taxi ride away.

In the heart of downtown, the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center welcomes attendees of meetings large and small. Offering more than 110,000 square feet of flexible meeting and events space, the two-level center features a 64,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, 21 meeting rooms and a 12,367-square-foot ballroom. With audio-visual capabilities and full-service catering, the convention center can accommodate meetings of up to 7,000 people, giving it tremendous versatility for Buffalo event planning.

Surrounding the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center are a wealth of performing arts locations, restaurants, other Buffalo event venues and attractions that both delight meeting attendees during their free time and double as unique locations for events. The over 5,000 modern and contemporary art pieces at the world-renowned Albright-Knox Art Gallery are a stunning background for black-tie galas. Or, host a cocktail reception of up to 200 guests at the sweeping balcony and atrium of the Buffalo Museum of Science. For a truly unforgettable experience, organize a group boat tour of Niagara Falls on the popular Maid of the Mist.

Buffalo’s waterfront, known as Canalside, is undergoing a $1.4-billion restoration and development. The first phase has already been completed and is situated on the historic Erie Canal terminus. The project will include a new entertainment, dining and museums as well as beautiful public spaces to be enjoyed year-round.

Buffalo's major industries include food manufacturing, technology and light manufacturing. The city serves as headquarters for such corporations as M&T Bank Corporation, Gibraltar Industries, Labatt USA and Sorrento. Higher learning also holds a strong presence in the city, as Buffalo is home to three State University of New York institutions, including Buffalo State College, the University of Buffalo and Erie Community College.

About Buffalo, NY / Additional Info

Located on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River, Buffalo's lifeblood has always centered on the water. The city began as a trading center on Buffalo Creek, but quickly skyrocketed to a position as a transportation and industrial mecca upon the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. The advent of steel manufacturing further strengthened the economy. In fact, Buffalo was home to one of the largest steel-making operations in the world.

The city's accessibility and prosperous economy attracted immigrants in droves, helping it to become the 8th largest city in the country by 1900. Today large populations of Irish, Polish, German, Italian, Greek, Arab, African and Indian residents inhabit the city's 32 distinct neighborhoods. Guests can immerse themselves in Irish pride at the annual St. Patrick's Day parade held in the predominantly Irish American South Buffalo. Visitors to North Buffalo's Little Italy can fill up at Italian restaurants and authentic bakeries or celebrate the annual Italian Heritage Festival, one of the five largest street festivals in the United States.

Guests find it easy to traverse these eclectic communities thanks to the city's radial street and grid system that branches out from downtown like bicycle spokes. Buffalo's more than 20 parks offer plenty of green space throughout. In fact, three-fourths of the city's parks are part of the Olmsted Park and Parkway system, designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The system was Olmsted's first attempt in America to craft a coordinated system of parks and parkways. Pack a picnic or take a walk at Riverside Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park or one of the several others included in this system.

Visitors can find many other ways to explore the majestic outdoors in Buffalo. Perhaps the most popular attraction is the world-famous Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest such park in the United States. Guests can enjoy this awe-inspiring wonder at the overlooks at Terrapin Park, or get up close to the rushing waters on the Maid of the Mist boat tour. Back on land, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens feature a 156-acre park with displays such as the All-American Annuals Flower Garden and the Shrub Garden.

Aside from its natural beauty, Buffalo's man-made attractions include more Frank Lloyd Wright buildings than any other city except Chicago. Visit the Darwin D. Martin House, a great example of Wright's Prairie House style and one of his six residential designs in the city. The renowned Buffalo City Hall is a 32-story Art Deco masterpiece featuring beautiful lobby murals, skylights and sculptures. Guests can climb up the building's Observation Tower to catch breathtaking views of city below.

Visitors love to end a day of sightseeing in Buffalo with a meal of local favorites. Thanks to its diverse population, the city's fine restaurants offer everything from Polish specialties to American favorites. From grabbing a slice of pizza (a unique blend of New York City thin crust and Chicago deep dish styles) to enjoying an elegant meal of Atlantic salmon at trendy Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant, guests can certainly find something to suit their tastes in Buffalo.

Of course no trip is complete without sampling the city's eponymous Buffalo wings. Internationally renowned, Anchor Bar was the first to serve this now-popular snack in 1964. Order a plate of mild, medium or spicy wings, served with celery and blue cheese, to indulge in this city trademark. Whether breaking a sweat on one of the famous hot wing sauces or cooling off under the mist of the Niagara Falls, guests are sure to be happily surprised at the treasures waiting in this gorgeous city.

Buffalo, NY Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)
Convention Center(s):

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Hotel at Convention Center? Yes
Sleeping Rooms 1 Mile from Convention Center: 1,800

Airport(s):

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Destination Type(s):

Smoke-free Restaurants

Special Event Venues
75
Population
1,254,066
Restaurants
33
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
8.75%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Buffalo, NY

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Hamilton, ON	65 mi	1 hr 15 min	n/a	N/A
Rochester, NY	74 mi	1 hr 19 min	3 hr 26 min	USD $235+
Toronto, ON	100 mi	1 hr 47 min	2 hr 45 min	USD $270+
Cleveland, OH	193 mi	3 hr 11 min	1 hr	USD $229+
Pittsburgh, PA	220 mi	3 hr 37 min	2 hr 45 min	USD $200+
Albany, NY	288 mi	4 hr 38 min	3 hr 21 min	USD $230+
New York, NY	380 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 12 min	USD $120+

Buffalo, NY Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	31	33	42	55	66	76	81	79	71	60	47	36
Avg. Low (°F)	18	18	26	36	47	56	62	60	53	43	34	23
Rec. High (°F)	72	65	79	94	90	96	97	99	98	87	80	74
Rec. Low (°F)	-16	-20	-7	12	26	36	46	38	23	20	7	-10
Rainfall (in)	3.0	2.5	2.9	3.0	3.1	3.1	3.0	3.8	3.4	3.1	3.9	3.5

Buffalo is fortunate to be free of much of the severe weather that routinely besets other regions. For much of the year, Buffalo is blessed with a benign and hospitable climate. May is typically the most beautiful and comfortable of the spring months - a mix of sunny weather and beautiful blossoms.

Summers in Buffalo traditionally arrive in mid-June and are usually mild and pleasant with breezes from nearby Lake Erie keeping temperatures moderate and humidity low. This "Oasis Effect" makes Western New York's summer weather among the most spectacular in North America, as sunshine is plentiful and the average daytime temperature in July is a comfortable 80 degrees. In fact, temperatures in the 90s are rare. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has never recorded a reading above 100 degrees. Overall Buffalo experiences drier summers than most cities in the Northeast.

Autumn is breathtaking in Western New York. The pleasant temperatures, sunny days, and autumn colors stretch well into late October making this a favorite season for many.

The severity of Buffalo's winter weather is greatly exaggerated by the national media. While most large-scale winter storm systems usually pass by Buffalo, the region does experience "Lake Effect" snows. These snows generally occur just south of the city, a region locals refer to as "ski country." Outdoor activities are plentiful – ranging from downhill skiing to ice fishing, sledding and tobogganing – as day time temperatures often hover at or above freezing and there is usually snow to enjoy.

Buffalo, NY Airport Information

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

Approximate taxi fare: $32.84 USD

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is located just 10 minutes away from downtown Buffalo. The modern, light-filled airport sees more than five million passengers per year and offers 100 daily non-stop flights with service to 24 cities throughout the United States and Canada.

First opened in 1997, the airport boasts extensive amenities, including restaurants and shops throughout the terminal. Travelers may access wireless Internet for $7.95 per 24-hour period anywhere throughout the departure and baggage claim area. Both short-term and long-term parking can be found among a total of 7,300 spaces.

The airport is not only known for its efficient service, but also for its architecture. Approximately 27,000 square feet of glass exists in the 350-foot-wide lobby. When looked at from the air, the lobby is designed to look like a giant aircraft poised for take-off. The main concourse floor is graced with a 13,000-square-foot multi-colored tile artwork that depicts the history of the Buffalo Niagara region.

Airline carriers serving Buffalo Niagara International Airport

AirTran Airways
American Airlines/Business Express
Comair
Continental Airlines/Continental Express
Delta Airlines
JetBlue

Northwest Airlines/Mebasa
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines/United Express
US Airways/US Air Express
Vanguard Airlines

Buffalo, NY Train Information

Buffalo Amtrak Station

Located at 75 Exchange Street, the Buffalo Amtrak station serves both the Empire Service and Maple Leaf routes. Empire Service provides daily transportation from New York City to Niagara Falls, with additional stops in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. The Maple Leaf route provides daily service to Toronto, Buffalo, Albany and New York City. The Buffalo Amtrak station is open Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 4:15 PM.

Buffalo, NY Public Transportation

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)

Buses

Buffalo's public bus system services more than 60 local, express and shuttle bus routes among Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the surrounding areas of Lockport, Lackawanna, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. The bus fleet of 332 buses and four trolleys transports approximately 94,000 riders daily. The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is serviced by the 204 Downtown route with two stops located within a few blocks of the center. The weekday Airport-Downtown Express shuttle offers non-stop service from Buffalo's central business district to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport every 30 minutes.

Buses run daily from 5 AM to 2 AM. NFTA operates on a zone fare system. Youth fares for children ages 5-11 are $0.65 for one zone, $0.75 for two zones, $0.85 for three zones and $0.95 for four zones. Adult fares are $1.50 for one zone, $1.75 for two zones, $2 for three zones and $2.25 for four zones. Bus transfers are $0.15 for youths and $0.30 for adults. Children under 5 ride for free.

Monthly passes, which cover both bus and rail service, are $55 for one zone and $66 for four zones. An all-zone day pass is $3.50 per person and an all-zone weekend pass is $6 per person.

Light Rail

Buffalo's light rail system consists of 27 rail cars that service 15 stops on a 6.4-mile system from the HSBC Arena to the University of Buffalo. Approximately 5.2 miles of the line is underground, while the remaining 1.2 miles are aboveground. The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is serviced by the Court Street and Franklin Street stop, which is located just one block away from the center.

The rail system runs Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 12:50 AM, Saturday from 7:05 to 12:50 AM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 7 PM. Trains run as often as once every seven minutes and no less often than once every 20 minutes. Passengers ride free on the light rail's aboveground section, while the fare for the underground section is $0.65 for children ages 5-11 and $1.50 for adults. Children under 5 ride for free.

Monthly passes, which cover both bus and rail service, are $55 for one zone and $66 for four zones. An all-zone day pass is $3.50 per person and an all-zone weekend pass is $6 per person.

Rental Cars

Several rental car agencies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, National and Enterprise, are represented at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Agency counters are located on the lower level of the terminal, outside of the baggage claim area.

Taxis

Visitors to Buffalo can access several taxi companies at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport outside of the baggage claim area on the ground floor. Once in the city, guests can hail taxis throughout downtown. Visitors should expect to pay about $30 in taxi fare from the airport to downtown Buffalo.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Hamilton, ON	65 mi	1 hr 15 min	n/a	N/A
Rochester, NY	74 mi	1 hr 19 min	3 hr 26 min	USD $235+
Toronto, ON	100 mi	1 hr 47 min	2 hr 45 min	USD $270+
Cleveland, OH	193 mi	3 hr 11 min	1 hr	USD $229+
Pittsburgh, PA	220 mi	3 hr 37 min	2 hr 45 min	USD $200+
Albany, NY	288 mi	4 hr 38 min	3 hr 21 min	USD $230+
New York, NY	380 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 12 min	USD $120+