b'coverspace, a 17,000-sq.-ft. ballroom andMarriott and Sheratonand most are& Marketing for SCCN. The city a 978-seat theatre, Buckley adds. Insituated with fabulous views of thecontains over 6,000 four-star hotel addition, the centre boasts multiplefamous falls.rooms, most within a short walking smaller breakout rooms adjacent to Experienced event plannersdistance from our centres front doors the larger areas and over 900 parkingknow just how perfectly suited very few similar buildings in Canada spots on site. Niagara is for business conferencescan make that claim. And the hotels Many of the top hoteliers areand post-meeting attractions, saysalone have anywhere from 30 to located in Niagarasuch as Hilton,Mark Crawford, Director of Sales40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.ATTRACTIONSAdding to the amenities are a range of incredible venuesWell-versed in the areas cultural history and pleasing nearby, such as the falls themselves, the surrounding trailsgeographic anomalies, Buckley says, Just a casual glance and recreational destinations. For example, the lush Niagaraat the geography in the Niagara region and youll quickly region is home to at least 125 wineries, many of whichunderstand some of the reasons for its popularity. All of the feature restaurants and conference rooms as well. Roundingwater from the Great Lakes empties into two riversone things out are over 40 golf courses, spectacular cyclingnear Chicago into the Mississippi and the other into the along the Niagara Parkway and a new 5,000-seat performingNiagara River through Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. arts centre set to open in 2022. For theatre-goers, NiagaraAll the water from the five lakes flows into those two river also contains the second-largest repertory theatre in Canadasystems, and thats what cascades over the falls every minute at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Two casinos are also available forof every day, so our geography is critical to understanding those who want to blow off a little steamand money.the reasons for the city and regions success. Part of those The citys family and theme attractions have long agogeographic conditions are what created the fertile soils here been revamped and modernized, and are now very all necessary for growing flavourful grapes. We also enjoy up-marketsuch as the renown SkyWheel, a truly uniquea very temperate climate, [which is] absolutely ideal for wine sightseeing opportunity in the Clifton Hill area. Buckley adds,growing and, of course, living and meeting in this area.Niagara Falls remains a very attractive location for families and international travellers from all over the worldits no coincidence that some of the most popular leisure spots in North America are often the best business destinations. Think the Okanagan in B.C., or Las Vegas and Orlando in the U.S. Niagara is clearly in that same category.Both Buckley and Crawford work for the convention centre, but they also work hand-in-hand with Niagara Falls Tourism to help market and promote the area forbusiness events. GETTING THEREThe Niagara region benefits from multiple entry points. By air, the most common point of departure is typically Toronto Pearson International Airport, located about 90 minutes down the freeway. But dont overlook Hamilton International Airport, either, which is about 50 minutes away and well-connected by road. American air travellers can also access Niagara through the Buffalo Niagara International Airport in upstate New York, about 45 minutes away, and via the international border. Additionally, rail and transit is available through Ontarios GO Transit service.Photos courtesy of Niagara Falls Tourism.16 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca'