For the first time in over 30 years, a convention of Jehovah's Witnesses will not take place at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

Pegula Sports and Entertainment, who operates the arena, said it offered services at the lowest possible cost but the two sides could not reach a deal.

City leaders say they tried to come up with alternatives, including the Riverside Convention Center.

"We tried different approaches to get to a point where both parties are satisfied but it did not happen," City of Rochester Department of Enviromental Services Commissioner Norman Jones said. "They came to a point of impass, and because of the impass we had to let them know that the conventions are going to be moved out."

The national event is instead scheduled to take place in Pennsylvania in August. 

Visit Rochester President Don Jeffries says they are working to bring the group back to the city at alternative spaces for 2020. He says the biggest impact to our community will be the loss of business for local hotels.