The Courtyard Erie Bayfront Hotel opened in June and has already made a significant impact by earning national recognition and attracting additional conventions to the Flagship City. During the hotel’s first 45 days in operation, the Bayfront Courtyard was ranked in the top 1% for guest satisfaction out of the more than 980 Courtyard Brand hotels in North America. The addition of the 192 hotel rooms connected to the Bayfront Convention Center has been the driving factor behind securing more and larger conventions. The additional rooms compliment the already existing, award-winning 200-room Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel.

“With the addition of the Courtyard Erie Bayfront Hotel, we have the opportunity to attract larger conferences that would have never considered Erie as a destination previously,” said Rob Mastro, Director of Sales and Marketing for White Lodging. “The Bayfront triplex makes Erie a more viable and more affordable option while showcasing its best asset, the waterfront. We’re booking business more than three years out which adds stability and optimism in the market.”

Twenty two conventions/conferences have been secured for 2017, with 14 out of those 22 coming to Erie for the first time. Some of the larger, new events include the NY State United Teacher’s Conference; the Pennsylvania Nurse Practitioners Conference; the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society Spring Meeting; and the National Fireworks Association Trade Show. A complete list of all the conferences/conventions can be found below.

The 2017 events will generate more than 10,000 hotel room nights, resulting in a significant direct, positive economic impact in Erie County.

“As anticipated, new leads have been generated because of the addition of the Courtyard by Marriott Bayfront Hotel,” said Lisa DiLuzio, Bayfront Convention Center Director of Sales. “In light of this recent development, our current convention calendar has experienced substantial growth, which in turn will reflect a positive economic impact for the entire community.”

2017 business:

1. Stars and Stripes Gymnastics Tournament – repeats annually
2. Pennsylvania State Pool Tournament – repeats annually
3. Pennsylvania Music Educators Association – rotates
4. Maplevale Foods Trade Show – repeats annually
5. Kwik Fill Trade Show – new business
6. Curtze Food Show – repeats annually
7. Country Fair Trade Show – repeats annually
8. Pennsylvania State Excel Gymnastics Tournament – new business
9. Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society Spring Meeting – new business
10. Pennsylvania Nurse Practitioners – new business
11. NY State United Teacher’s Conference – new business
12. VNEA Junior Pool Tournament – repeats annually
13. Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Annual Conference – new business
14. County Commissioners of Pennsylvania Annual Conference – new business
15. National Fireworks Association Trade Show – new business
16. Pennsylvania Parking Association – new business
17. AFSCME Council 85 Conference – new business
18. ERIEZ 75^th Anniversary Sales Conference – new business
19. Pennsylvania Municipal League Annual Summit – new business
20. Polish Catholic’s Women’s Retreat – new business
21. Episcopal Diocese of NWPA Conference – new business
22. Thirst Annual Convention – repeats annually