News & Views from Boston's Convention Centers   Winter 2008       Volume 12
 

 
Meeting planners familiar with Boston consider it a top-tier convention city offering more advantages than any other convention destination in North America. Two of the best reasons for this view are Boston's extraordinary world-class convention centers -- the Hynes Convention Center and the award-winning Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC). It's an unbeatable combination that attracts record-breaking crowds. And this year will be no exception, with an unprecedented total of almost one million conventioneers coming to Boston in 2008! Read on »

MCCA announces new transportation program
 


The newly created Boston Convention Transportation Service (BCTS) is a unique "first" that gives meeting planners flexibility and choices on all transportation associated with an event. It’s an invaluable service provided by the MCCA to help meeting planners develop a fully integrated transportation plan to get attendees around Boston. Read on »
"Taxi Rewards" program a winner

The "Taxi Rewards" program was launched in the fall of 2006 by the MCCA as one more way to enrich the attendee experience. The idea was to build relationships with taxi companies and drivers, and to increase the number of cabs servicing the convention centers. The effect was felt almost immediately, with enhanced access to taxis, and new levels of hospitality, courtesy and service from drivers. Read on »

Convenient, quick "Silver Line" joins The "T"

North America's first Subway system was built right here in Boston. It used to be known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority, but today it's the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority -- better known as the "T." This remarkable transit system connects all of Boston and its suburbs by subway, standard rail, bus and commuter boat, making it easy and inexpensive for attendees to navigate the city. Read on »
AdvantageBOSTON.com:
Your personal guide to Boston

We want planners and attendees to enjoy themselves while they're here, so we're making it as easy as possible to get around Boston. Maps and directions that will get you where you want to go are right at your fingertips. There's an interactive destination map that highlights hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions. There are directions and parking information for both the BCEC and the Hynes. And there are downloadable PDF maps so you'll always know right where you are.

BCEC is "Convention Center of the Year"

We're proud to report that the BCEC is the winner of the prestigious 2007 Spotlight Award for "Convention Center of the Year", given by Event Solutions magazine. The award is one of the highest given in the industry, and is earned for superior facilities and customer service in the hosting of meetings and events. Mayor Thomas M. Menino, commenting on the award, said "The BCEC's success during the three years since it opened has transformed Boston into a viable competitor with the country's top-tier cities."
 
 

@dvantagePoint

Boston attracts record breaking attendance

In 2007, the National Business Travel Association made history as it enjoyed its biggest gathering ever in 39 years; appropriately enough, in historic Boston. There were more than 6,200 attendees, including 1,400 travel managers and nearly 100 reporters. 436 exhibitors bought 118,500 square feet of booth space to help them reach the world's largest gathering of business travel buyers.

Read on »
Mass Pike U-turn "Slingshot Route" shoots traffic past city streets
Boston is constantly making infrastructure improvements that make it easier and faster to get around the city, and to and from convention sites. The latest upgrade is the recently completed "slingshot route" on the Massachusetts Turnpike westbound. It's located at the Allston-Brighton toll plaza, just a short distance from the Hynes and the BCEC. The slingshot route allows taxis, buses and limos to make an easy U-turn on the Pike, thus bypassing city streets and traffic, and guaranteeing a quicker ride to hotels and convention center areas. Imagine that. A slingshot that will actually keep you out of trouble!


Taxi from the airport to the city ... over water!

One of the more enjoyable ways to get from Logan to Boston is via water taxi -- a service that's available from the airport to Rowes Wharf and downtown.  It's a quick, enjoyable eight-minute ride that features spectacular views of the city skyline and Boston Harbor.  Few cities can offer such a uniquely relaxing way to get from an airport to within minutes of a major convention center.


See your Advantage BOSTON team at one of these upcoming events

Here's your chance to get to know your Advantage BOSTON team, and to start planning for your most successful event ever! Attend one of the following shows, stop by our booth, and discover why Boston is North America's premier convention city.

February 26, 2008
MPINCC Annual Trade Show, Moscone West,
San Francisco, CA
Booth #608

April 3, 2008
Springtime 2008, Washington, DC
Booth # 4075

 

Find everything you need to plan your Boston site visit and meeting at the newly enhanced www.AdvantageBOSTON.com
 
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority owns and operates the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.