Tourism group wrapping up Buffalo event

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - One of the largest and travel and tourism-related associations in Canada is wrapping up its first-ever conference held in the United States.

More than 600 people are estimated to have spent the past six days in Buffalo for the Ontario Motor Coach Association's Conference and Marketplace. By the time the conference wraps up Wednesday, local tourism officials expect the gathering to generate about $900,000 for the local economy.

It's the first time the tourism trade group has held its conference outside Canada. Association officials say they chose Buffalo for the event because western New York is an important border crossing for tour bus operators in Ontario, as well as a popular destination.

The conference has attracted scores of tour bus operators to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in downtown Buffalo.