Black Meetings and Tourism

Sept/Oct 2012

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ICI •Pg_43-58__BMT_pg86-162 12/21/12 1:45 AM Page 56 AREA GUIDES BOSTON FACILITIES PLUS ABUNDANCE OF HISTORIC SITES RESULT IN MEMORABLE MEETINGS BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II Boston Convention Center Perhaps Boston can be best described as a welcome contradiction: Hip alongside historic. Skyscrapers surround parks. Gourmet meets pizza. Famous for its hospitality and friendly spirit, Greater Boston is one of the premier meeting destinations in the United States. Known as the "Athens of America," Boston's renowned medical and educational institutions have helped to make it an international center of learning and intellectualism. Boston has a thriving economy, history and charm, which make it ideal for both business and pleasure. Each year, it welcomes over 18 million visitors, convention delegates and business travelers. If you're unfamiliar with the city, take a moment to wander through Boston's distinct neighborhoods. Each is so infused with its own unique culture and flavor that visiting Boston is often like visiting different parts of the world, all in one stop. This city has three major convention and event facilities that can host events of all types and sizes, each offering you their own unique advantages. The Boston Exhibition and Convention Center (BCEC) is open! Loaded with 516,000 sq. ft. of total exhibit space, it's the world's newest, most spectacular, and most user-friendly convention center. Built from the inside out, the 1.6 millionsq. ft. facility has everything you need to stage a successful event. Situated on Boston's waterfront, the Seaport World Trade Center is known for its unparalleled service and distinctive sophistication. A premier choice for meeting planners, it has a 118,000-sq. ft. exhibit hall, 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a 396-seat amphitheatre. Located in the heart of Boston's beautiful, historic and restaurant-rich Back Bay, the Hynes Convention Center has long been a favorite business destination for mid-sized shows, special events and expositions. It also offers meeting space. The Hynes is in close proximity to the new Boston Exhibition and Convention Center (BCEC), and in the heart of Boston's most popular hotels, historical sites, and tourist attractions. With 176,480 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 37 meeting rooms this venue is sure to satisfy planners meeting needs. The Greater Boston area has more than 127 hotels that offer state-of-theart, flexible meeting space that can accommodate meetings with 10 to 10,000 attendees. Boston Common Hotel & Conference Center, Boston Marriott Burlington, Ames Boston Hotel, and The Back Bay Hotel are some of Boston's finest hotels offering top-level hospitality as well as abundant meeting space for those planners choosing to use the hotel as the conference/convention venue. While attendees are in town for business they can surely escape for a bit and absorb some of the rich Boston heritage by exploring some of the numerous museums and historic landmarks. With campuses in Boston & Nantucket, the Museum of Afro-American History is New England's largest AfricanAmerican history museum with four national historic sites dating back to the early 1800s and the BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL that attracts visitors from around the world. The Black Heritage Trail is a 1.6-mile walking tour encompassing the largest collection of historic sites in the country 56 B M & T ••• September/October 2012••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: Greater Boston CVB relating to the life of a free AfricanAmerican community prior to the Civil War. The history of these buildings and sites is national in scope and significance. The Museum of African American History (MAAH) treasures its resources and tells remarkable and vivid historical accounts about the lives of free AfricanAmericans and White abolitionists whose efforts changed a nation. Logan Airport is located a convenient two miles from the city center, with several public airport transportation options from downtown and suburban locations. There are approximately 40 airlines that serve Boston and three hotels located on the airport premises. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS The Boston Marriott Burlington 414 The Back Bay Hotel 225 Ames Boston Hotel 114 Boston Common Hotel & Conference Center 64 Boston Marriott Copley Place 1,147 Boston Omni Park House Hotel 551 Hyatt Regency Boston 498 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The BostonConvention & Exhibition Center Total Exhibit Space 516,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 184,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 40,020 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 82 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Greater Boston CVB – (617) 536-4100 www.bostonusa.com About Black Boston – (617) 942-1301

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