The Convention Partnership

The Convention Partnership is a 27-person working group designed to steward the public study of the T5 initiative. It will include analysis of the feasibility of expanding the facility, services and amenities of the existing Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. It will also look at enhancing the capacity of the City of Boston to become a “T5” North American destination for conventions, meetings and tradeshows. The partnership exists principally to advise policy makers. 

The Convention Partnership, as part of its study and analysis, shall focus on the following: 

  1. the state of the convention, meeting and tradeshow industry, projections for future growth and competitive challenges faced by the BCEC for larger-scale convention, meeting and tradeshows to meet the demands for facilities, services and amenities by the industry;
  2. the competitive need to expand the size, services and amenities of the BCEC to attract larger-scale conventions, meetings and tradeshows;
  3. the need and financing of another exhibition hotel attached to the BCEC;
  4. the cost and financing of expanding the BCEC
  5. the facility size, services and amenities offered or proposed by competitive convention facilities;
  6. the impact of expansion on the operation and management of the BCEC by the MCCA particularly regarding marketing, costs, booking and services; and
  7. the opportunity to expand the economic impact of conventions, meetings and tradeshows throughout the Commonwealth. 
  8. other issues relating to the need and use of an expanded BCEC, including but not limited to:
    • potential economic impact
    • transportation
    • infrastructure improvements
    • impacts on and benefit to surrounding community
    • potential job creation
    • potential increased tax revenues

The Partnership, as part of its review, shall meet with the MCCA Board of Directors and the MCCA Customer Advisory Board as needed.  The Partnership shall conduct public meetings as needed and engage the work of consultants when necessary. 

The Convention Partnership shall prepare a report of its study and file said report with the Governor, Mayor, Senate President and Speaker on or before December 31, 2010, and shall file interim reports as determined by the co-chairpersons regarding matters that warrant more timely consideration.

"For the review of this campaign to be successful, we must rely on a group of leaders who understand the importance of our business and our economic impact. Right now, we're not seeking a specific endorsement. We simply want a commitment by the Convention Partnership to support the ongoing dialogue and analysis." - James E. Rooney, Executive Director, MCCA