Month of June Shatters Event Booking Records in Boston
July 9, 2014
June was a very good month for the city of Boston, with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority signing 38 contracts for events, breaking the previous best-month record of 30 events booked in December 2005.
The events signed in June are expected to generate 472,787 future hotel room nights in the city, which also tops the December 2007 previous high month of 435,484 room nights by 8.5 percent.
“As we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the BCEC this summer, it’s nice to also celebrate yet another record-breaker,” said James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA.
He added, “We are booking business in a word-of-mouth industry, and our reputation for exceptional and knowledgeable customer service has put Boston in high demand among meeting planners. In addition, talk of a BCEC expansion and additional hotel rooms in the South Boston Waterfront have created a real Boston buzz in the industry. When you add the powerhouse sales team that is the Boston Convention Marketing Center to that mix, you get the kind of booking results we’ve seen this year.”
To be included as a “booked” piece of business, an event must have a signed contract and deposit with the MCCA, as well as at least one signed hotel contract.
Fiscal Year 2014 was a good one overall, with the city booking 98 future events at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.
Of the 98 events, 61 are city-wide conventions with more than 1,000 room nights. The events booked in FY14 will take place as soon as this year and as far out as 2032 and are expected to generate more than 798,000 hotel room nights for Boston, according to MCCA officials.
There also are 12 more significant events that have signed “contingency contracts” that require an expansion and/or an additional headquarters hotel in the South Boston Waterfront to be completed by a certain date in order for the event to happen in Boston.
To date, these contingency contracts would account for an additional 328,737 future hotel room nights and include a major global security conference called ASIS in 2024 and the American Heart Association in 2021.
The Massachusetts State House of Representatives and State Senate both approved a funding bill that authorizes the expansion of the BCEC, which will include a headquarter hotel, more than 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, a ballroom and 125,000 square feet of meeting space, without the need for new fees or taxes.
The bill is currently in conference committee and MCCA officials said they are hopeful that it will get to the Governor’s desk for approval by the end of this month.
Some of the events that were booked in June are international ones, including Society for Worldwide Interbank (SIBOS), an event that signed a contract for 2020 and the International Chiefs of Police will be heading to the city in 2024.
A few other large events that are booked in future years are the American Society for Radiation Oncology, with more than 38,000 room nights in 2026, and the International Foundation Employee Benefits, with more than 24,000 room nights in 2023.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment