Laura Duran, the Lancaster County Convention Center’s PR consultant, reports today on her blog that the convention center will be celebrating its one-year anniversary on Friday.
Since the official ribbon cutting on June 18, 2009, the integrated facility has been host to more than 850 events by more than 300 different organizations. More than 300,000 people have been through its doors to attend events or stay at the hotel. Additionally, two dozen new restaurant, retail, and service businesses have opened in the Downtown core and Northwest quadrant of the city since the opening.
Which events have you attended at the convention center, and what was your experience? At the one-year mark, does it seem to you that downtown Lancaster is better off now that it has this facility and these events?
I attended the home show (which got a so-so review from my wife — not because of the convention center itself but from the people who produced the show. It wasn’t quite what she was expecting).
For work, I attended the Community First Foundation’s lunch banquet last year, and I attended some executive briefings that HDC had to brief downtown stakeholders about our proposed development South Square in the 100 block of South Queen Street. I thought all these went well — good food, decent service, nice meeting space.
Not having worked in Lancaster before the convention center, I really get a sense of vibrancy and activity. It seems to me that the city is better off. Plus, what would be at that corner now: an empty, unused building?
I just left the PA Downtown Center annual conference. Well attended, good service, overheard many good comments about the facility and downtown Lancaster.
Been in Lancaster 10 years. Certainly better and stronger now than at Y2K. I visited Pittsburgh several times lately. Usually more people here after 5:30 than there and more here all day on Sat & Sun.
Yes, the convention center has helped. A growing resident population downtown is equally beneficial. Both are necessary.
I attended the Launch Music Festival & Conference back in April of this year, and I thought that the Lancaster Convention Center was an incredible venue for that particular event. It gave that big city feel to the conference. It also allowed for a large stage for the acts to perform on, which complimented the fact that the festival had bands playing throughout the downtown area in other venues within walking distance of the Lancaster Convention Center.
I also had the pleasure of touring the venue with a fellow networking group friend (whom works there) last year, so seeing the entire venue made me understand just how beautiful and accommodating the Convention Center really is. If you have only seen it on the outside, you have got to go in and see it on the inside.
I enjoy hearing my friends, coworkers, and family comment after their first visit to the Convention Center, it almost always starts with a “Wow….”
Jeff – It really does serve as an anchor for downtown, doesn’t it? Not just physically but also in some emotional way.
Danny – Thanks for the comment! I’m surprised by the observations about Lancaster versus Pittsburgh–pleasantly so. Do you see/sense a growing downtown resident population in Lancaster?
Kris – I totally agree that the experience indoors is not to be missed. It’s cool to hear feedback about the convention center as the LAUNCH venue. I’ll add that if you haven’t seen the exterior at night, you’re also missing the full effect.