This Month we get to know better Boston Convention Marketing Center

What was your motivation to join ICCA?

We believe that Boston is a tremendous venue for international events and that ICCA’s audience wants to know what Boston has to offer. Our motivation for re-instating our membership was to take advantage of the sales and marketing opportunities available through ICCA, utilize ICCA’s database of events and research in our sales efforts, and network with other convention venues around the world.

 

Tell us your story. How did your organization get started?

The Boston Convention Marketing Center was started in 2003 as a joint effort between the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau to market and sell the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center (Hynes). For more than 19 years, our organization has served as the primary contact for planners to submit their event requirements, build their hotel room blocks, sign facility contracts, and organize site visits of our convention centers and of Boston.

 

What sets your organization apart?

Our organization is unique in that we truly provide one-stop shopping for convention clients. For example, our Hotel Relations and Services Team is the first of its kind in the industry, serving as a liaison to Boston’s hotel community, helping our clients to build hotel packages incorporating their guestroom needs and attendee hotel criteria. They also assist with coordinating site visits, locating overflow rooms, and providing ongoing hotel support.

 

What is your favourite success story from your organization?

The BCMC has had a major role in transforming Boston into a top-tier convention destination. Our clients consistently break attendance records or have near-record-breaking attendance when they bring their events to Boston. Their success is our success.

 

What can we expect to see from your organization in the future?

Our organization is looking forward to the expansion of the BCEC, which will add 18,580 square meters (200,000 square feet) of flexible space to our campus. This includes a revolutionary 9,290 square meter (100,000 square foot) space that can be used as a ballroom, exhibit hall and entertainment space, along with expanded meeting facilities and indoor/outdoor function space.

 

The BCEC is in the heart of Boston’s dynamic and growing Seaport District. The neighborhood offers a wide variety of new hotels, dining, and entertainment options and is within close proximity of Boston’s renowned historic and cultural attractions. Additionally, we are excited for the modernization and expansion of the International Terminal (Terminal E) at Boston Logan International Airport, which will provide more direct flights to Boston from across the globe. The BCEC is just minutes from the airport with direct access via public transportation.

 

Which trends do you see in the Association Meetings?

The trends we are seeing with association meetings are as follows:

  • The COVID pandemic brought tremendous disruption to the entire management structure of our association clients.

  • Associations are having to deal with whether there is value in having virtual components to their events.

  • Associations are booking further into the future than they have historically to get the cities and the dates that they want.

  • Live events are roaring back – people want to return to in-person meetings!

What is an industry challenge, your organisation is facing currently?

The industry challenge we face is that everything the COVID pandemic disrupted continues to be a disruption.