By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

In terms of upcoming conventions and special events, October could be a milestone month for Visit Buffalo Niagara and the local hospitality industry.

The organization is bringing in four major conventions that collectively could attract more than 10,000 people, with a potential $16 million economic impact. And that doesn't include the sold-out Buffalo Bills game Oct. 9 vs. the Philadelphia Eagles or four Buffalo Sabres home games at First Niagara Center.

"This could be our best month in recent history," said Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, president and CEO.

Now her organization and local leaders are turning to the business community, building owners and residents to lend a helping hand by sprucing up their properties and establishments.

"Anything that we can to do to help with people's first impression of Buffalo is important," said Erie County Executive Chris Collins.

He allocated $50,000 to the Olmsted Parks Conservancy to underwrite the installation of seasonal flowers and plants in the city's network of Frederick Law Olmsted parks.

Mayor Byron Brown, meanwhile, said he has instructed his crews to increase the street-sweeping efforts, pruning of trees and pickup of garbage and litter.

"We are going to be polishing up the city," Brown said.

Gallagher-Cohen said she has asked businesses along the Elmwood Avenue and Hertel Avenue neighborhoods to adjust their hours to accommodate an influx of visitors. Visit Buffalo Niagara has printed up welcome signs for any interested businesses.

"We'd like the local businesses to step up and to do things that normally they might not do," she said.

Among the four major conventions coming to the area are the U.S. Animal Health Association, Sept. 29-Oct. 5; National Association for Campus Activities' Mid-Atlantic regional conference, Oct. 9-12; National Trust for Historic Preservation, Oct. 19-22; and the New York State School Boards Association Convention and Education Expo, Oct. 27-30.

"Now is our time to really shine," Gallagher-Cohen said. "All we are doing is asking people to do a little bit more."