- Scotiabank Convention Centre to open in spring 2011

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - The Niagara Convention & Civic Centre (NCCC) today announced that Scotiabank has acquired the naming rights to the new facility, which will open in April 2011. The Scotiabank Convention Centre (SCC), located a mere 500 yards from the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, will draw hundreds of thousands of guests to the multi-purpose facility every year for a diverse range of events and corporate functions. The Centre will be the largest event and meeting facility of its kind in Niagara Falls and the Niagara Region.

"This is an exciting new step in the evolution of the convention centre," said Kerry Painter, President & General Manager, Scotiabank Convention Centre. "Our partnership with Scotiabank re-emphasizes the expectations and aspirations of not just the local community and the region, but also of the business sector on a national and international level. The Scotiabank Convention Centre is to be an innovator of unconventional experiences and a model for 'green standards'. Scotiabank has continuously proven itself to be a community leader nationwide; and today, their investment in Niagara Falls demonstrates that one more time."

"We are proud to announce our partnership with the NCCC and the naming of the Scotiabank Convention Centre," said James McPhedran, Senior Vice President, Ontario Region, Scotiabank. "Scotiabank has been a part of the Niagara Falls community for more than fifty years and we know that the establishment of this vibrant, professional facility will enhance the region's already strong tourist appeal and create economic spinoffs and new jobs. At the same time, we look forward to having a physical presence in the centre, giving us the opportunity to build on our service to the community."

In addition to naming rights, Scotiabank will also have a 400 square foot branch and ABM located inside the facility, offering convenient service for visitors and the local community.

About the Scotiabank Convention Centre

Being built to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification (LEED)*, the Scotiabank Convention Centre is to be a new 288,000 square foot convention facility located in Niagara Falls, Canada --- just a mere 500 yards from the breathtaking Canadian Horseshoe Falls. When completed, it will feature: an 82,000 square foot exhibition hall; a 17,000 square foot ballroom; an intimate 1,000 seat theatre, and 26,500 square feet of flexible meeting space. The Centre will officially open its doors in April 2011. Presently, the sales and marketing staff are accepting convention and meetings bookings.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With close to 70,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve approximately 14.6 million customers in some 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With more than $523 billion in assets (as at July 31, 2010), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

* The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System(TM) encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. LEED is a third-party certification program and an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/