BUFFALO N.Y. -- The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center remains one of the city's biggest stumbling blocks, according to travel experts from across the nation who wrapped up a first-ever Travel Industry Summit on Thursday. Visit Buffalo Niagara hosted the two-day event that included leaders from eight national tourism and travel associations.

Sports experts suggested the area promote and develop amateur, youth and senior sporting events. They say that, plus a strong pro and collegiate presence could spur future economic growth.

Other industry leaders, who work to increase visitation to the U.S., say Buffalo is full of great offerings easily accessible to domestic and international travelers. 

"The Pittsburghs, the Buffalos, the Cincinnatis, the Columbuses all have had some level of renaissance. You have a wider footprint of redevelopment right now than many of those cities," said Al Kidd, National Association of Sports Commissions. ;"A lot of cool things here, so millennials are coming, they'll spread the word. It's a matter of how do you integrate that and start to build facilities so you can compete on a bigger level."

Tours of Buffalo's historic sites, newest venues as well as the city's up and coming destinations were on the itinerary during the summit. Visit Buffalo Niagara will be looking into hosting similar events in the future.