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 This summer, the hospitality business rose for the falls—Niagara Falls, New York. With the opening of the Conference Center Niagara Falls two years ago, and the re-opening of the Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls (following a $24.5 million renovation), and the revitalization of the city's downtown district—the meetings and tourism business appears to be booming here. Several economic measurements for Niagara Falls showed that over the over the summer months of 2007—Guestroom Revenue went up 14.4 percent; Occupancy went up 7.3 points; Average Daily Rate (A.D.R.) went up 4.4 percent; and Revenue Per Available Room (REVPAR)—considered by most the strongest indicator of financial success in the hotel industry—went up 15 percent.

While meetings and tourism may be thriving in this famed upstate destination, Niagara hospitality professionals are determined not to rest on their laurels. "Our group convention market is turning out to be better than expected," said Geoffrey Reeds, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls. "We are pleased with our summer results, however, we are more excited about our booking pacing levels for 2008 and 2009."

A more intangible measurement than economic data, but likely more critical—Customer Service—is also rising for the 391-room Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls. Intercontinental Hotels Group —the governing body of the Crowne Plaza Brand—has the "Crowne-O-Meter," a gauge utilizing both guest and meeting planner feedback to rank the different Crowne Plaza locations in terms of the the Crowne Plaza Brand Standards. Currently the Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls is within the top third of all Crowne Plaza brand properities. Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls was ranked 24th of 126 Crowne Plaza properties (as of August 2007)—according to the Crowne-O-Meter.

Another key score card relative to customer service is the "Meeting Survey racking System" which is sent electronically to all meeting planners whouse a Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Niagara Falls property is currently ranked18th of 95 properties (as of August 2007).

 "We are very pleased with the addition of Niagara Falls to our portfolio of Crowne Plaza Hotels," said Dan Morreo, Regional Director for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.

Both the Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls and the Conference Center Niagara Falls are managed by the New York City-based, Sentry Hospitality. "The Sentry Team has come out of the gates strong, embraced the Crowne Plaza philosophy and brand standards and we look for great things from this property in the future," added Morreo.

"We feel our success has come in large part to Sentry's core values, which are dedicated to both the internal and external customer as well as a commitment to training," said Bill Jackson, Executive Vice President of Operations, Sentry Hospitality.