By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-911683.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo's preservation leaders and officials from the National Trust for Historic Preservation began mapping out plans Wednesday for the organization's conference in Buffalo next year.
Four years ago the National Trust announced it would hold its prestigious conference in Buffalo for the first time. That set off a lot of excitement and work getting ready for the mammoth event. The week-long event in October 2011 is expected to draw about 2,000 preservationists and architects from across the country.
Catherine Schweitzer is board chair for Preservation Buffalo Niagara and a local organizer for the event. She said they toured with National Trust officials Wednesday and will again Thursday to show them that the city will be ready.
Schweitzer said the upcoming conference has been a catalyst to begin or complete many preservation projects in the region. She said National Trust officials promise to tout that to a national audience.
And local promoters will be working to make the most of the positive spotlight on the region.
Ed Healy is vice president of marketing for the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitor's Bureau. He said the conference is better than any advertising they could buy.
About 300 people attended a planning session with National Trust officials Wednesday night to help generate ideas and map out logistics to ensure the conference is a success.