About T5

T5 is an initiative aimed at improving Boston’s share in the world’s convention and meeting industry.  The goal is to consistently rate in Tradeshow Week Magazine’s list of Top 5 convention cities for both domestic and international meeting planners.

Building on Success

  • Boston has already made it into the Top 10 – we are currently ranked 9th.
  • In the past five years, the BCEC & Hynes have generated $2.4 billion in economic impact for the Commonwealth.
  • In 2007, the BCEC was named Convention Center of the year by Tradeshow Week.
  • We have the ability to do more if we can attract more shows and larger events.

Out of Space, Out of Dates

  • At our current size, we’re not only losing business to bigger venues, but we’re also running out of popular meeting dates.  With the inability to host two simultaneous shows at the BCEC, we are leaving dollars on the table.
  • The cost of doing business in Boston is notoriously high due to the lack of mid-priced hotel rooms.  Shows have spent up to $700,000 alone on shuttle costs to and from Back Bay hotels.
  • The BCEC & Hynes have lost 72 different events due to space, rate and date limitations.

A Shared Vision

T5 is not just about the MCCA.  It is a discussion about improving Boston’s destination appeal overall, with help from a host of stakeholders, including the community. A 25-member Convention Partnership will steer this discussion.

Ranking of Prime Exhibit Space in Competitive Markets
Top 10 Convention Destinations

Key Components of T5 include:

  • BCEC Strategic Development Plan
  • Hotel development
  • Changing the world’s perception of Boston
  • City-wide transit improvements
  • Enhancing Boston’s hospitality culture

The Big Benefit

We believe we can double our economic impact, create real jobs in a down economy, and host many more major meetings and world-class events that will carry economic rewards across the Commonwealth far into the future.

  • The T5 initiative supports Massachusetts’ core industries like life sciences, technology and academics by encouraging shows like Bio International to bring their events to Boston.
  • A possible expansion of the BCEC could generate upwards of 5,000 construction-related jobs, 1,200 hospitality-related jobs and 3,500-4,500 new spinoff jobs in Massachusetts.

This initiative allows the Commonwealth to plan for the future even when times are tough. By building on our strenghs as a destination now, we can bolster opportunities for jobs, long term economic growth and business development in the future." - Governor Deval Patrick, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The ideas and goals of this initiative demonstrate to the world that we have unlimited confidence in our city and what it can do, not only as a convention destination but as the center of the most important trends in hospitality, science, health and education. This is a great idea coming at the absolutely right time. - Mayor Thomas M. Menino, City of Boston

Globalization is a long-term, ongoing trend that will be unfettered by economic cycles. Businesses, cities and meetings' industry all need a strategy, and this is ours.