Boston Has Banner Year on Tap for 2012

December 28, 2011

Boston has a lot to look forward to in 2012, with events booked at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center estimated to generate $625 million in economic impact and 601,000 hotel room nights, a 34-percent increase, compared with 446,596 room nights booked in 2011.

In addition, 2012 will be the first time since 2007 room nights have broken the 600,000 mark, when there were 601,990 room nights booked from events at the Hynes and BCEC.

“Our 2012 bookings clearly speak to our ability to generate significant impact for the city of Boston and Commonwealth,” said James E. Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which oversees both centers.

He added, “But they also speak to Boston’s ability to draw wide-ranging business that reflects Massachusetts’ leading role in industries like life science, technology and education. Organizations from these sectors come to Boston from across the globe because of our prowess in these fields and to do business.”

Some of the highlights for 2012 include the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s BIO International convention that’s set to come to Boston for the first time since 2007, when it broke attendance records.

Also in 2012, Reed Exhibitions’ Penny Arcade Expo East will return to the city for its third year in April, and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association’s The Cable Show also is on the schedule in May at the BCEC.

“The 2012 forecast is another sign that Massachusetts is continuing to recover from the global economic recession stronger than the rest of the nation,” said Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

He added, “Conventions bring business leaders right to our front door and give us the opportunity to build the necessary relationships to compete in the global economy.”

Another strong number predicted for 2012 events coming to Boston is the number of international attendees, with 26 events expecting to draw at least 10 percent attendance from overseas.

BIO International is expected to have 30 percent international attendance from 60 different countries, the annual International Boston Seafood Show will have 25 percent international attendance and The Cable Show is predicting attendees coming from 48 countries.

“The continued success of Boston’s conventions and meetings industry is indicative of our city’s standing as one of the most innovative in the world,” said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

Some of the other events on tap in2012 include the Yankee Dental Congress 2012 at the BCEC, with an estimated $21.5 million in economic impact, and American Transplant Congress at the Hynes, with an estimated economic impact of $9 million.

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Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started. Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind. “Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for." What’s New – AT&T Discovery District Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall. Hotels Coming Soon Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond. JW Marriott This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar. InterContinental Dallas  Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.   Hotel Swexan Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.