Why Boston is the Perfect Destination to Host Meetings & Events
Meeting Planners and Conference Managers are always looking ahead to which city they will be hosting their next corporate outing or big show. When it comes to hosting meetings and events, it’s important to keep in mind several factors like location and accessibility, attendee experience, budget, partnership with local experts, interactive attractions, and so much more. Here are eight reasons why Boston should be at the top of the list when it comes to choosing your next destination.
1. A Walker’s Dream
Running late for your meeting and don’t have time to catch a cab? Don’t worry, Boston was ranked the third most walkable large city in the United States according to Walk Score, so you’ll most likely make it on time on foot! Hotels, restaurants, and local attractions are all accessible and close to one another, making it easy to get from one place to another without exhausting your budget on transportation. In the case that it’s raining or the walk is a little further than desired, Dav El | BostonCoach can take care of all your individual and group transportation needs.
2. Close to the Convention Center
Boston Logan International Airport has non-stop flights to 138 destinations in 39 different countries, making it a prominent travel hub for domestic and international travelers. Guests can even get to the Boston Convention Center in just 8 short minutes – making this the fastest airport to convention center transfer time in the United States! For some participants who are just attending for the day, this is crucial when it comes to travel plans.
3. Rich with History
Boston is filled with historic landmarks and stories that make it the captivating city it is today. Guests can visit the Boston Tea Party Museum or the Freedom Trail to learn more about Beantown’s past. They can walk through the cobblestone streets of the historic North End and Beacon Hill, or grab a drink at Bell in Hand, the oldest continuously operating tavern in America!
4. Experience Boston from the Land, Sea & Sky
Allow your guests to experience the best of Boston by land, sea and sky. There are so many unique tours and activities that show off the most beautiful parts of Boston. Guests can be tourists for the day and hop on a trolley tour to discover various locations in the city, set sail on a sunset architecture cruise, or even fly high above the city’s breathtaking skyline during a private helicopter tour. It’s rare that other cities can offer all three of these perspectives in there interactive attractions.
5. Activities for Everyone
Many times, planners are looking for family-friendly locations to host their meetings so that attendees can bring along spouses and children. Now what fun would this business trip be if everyone couldn’t experience the destination? Have kids that are interested in higher education? Take a walking tour lead by University students at Harvard & MIT! Do you have attendees and their spouses that love outdoor adventures? Let them spend the morning kayaking on the Charles River and the evening on Segways exploring historic landmarks downtown! We can’t forget about our beloved foodies! They can have the opportunity to take a culinary cooking class with local chefs from the North End or be introduced to the most delectable family owned shops during a tasting tour. The possibilities really are endless! Need help figuring out the best activities for your group in Boston? Reach out to your local experts at Dav El | BostonCoach Destination Management for assistance.
6. Experience Title Town
What would a trip to Boston be without experiencing the excitement of Title Town? Tour Fenway Park the oldest major league baseball stadium in America, or catch a game at the biggest sports and entertainment area in New England, TD Garden. Centrally located and surrounded by restaurants and shopping, it’s easy to offer a well rounded day of adventure that everyone will love. Let’s not forget Gillette Stadium, located just 28 miles southwest of downtown Boston – guests are sure to experience the elation of being part of this sports loving community when visiting this iconic venue. Want to make your attendee’s experience one they’ll never forget? Inquire about hosting your offsite event at one of these championship winning team’s home turfs!
7. Diversify Your Palette
With a wide variety of restaurants throughout the city, planners don’t have to worry about their guests who don’t particularly like Chowda or Lobsta! There is sure to be a dish to delight everyone who has different food preferences. The best part is, you can likely host your dine arounds in the same Boston neighborhood so transfer or walking times from hotels are similar, with each of the cuisines being different. Just in the Seaport District alone you can find Asian fusion, Mediterranean and French cuisines, along with unique seafood dishes and American fare.
8. Going Green
The city of Boston is committed to developing sustainable practices to ensure the safety and longevity of our planet. Many hotels such as the InterContinental Boston, Mandarin Oriental Boston, and the Seaport Boston Hotel, have revamped their sustainability initiatives over the last few years, some even offering incentives to guests who participate in their go green programs. You can find a list of green hotels here! If you’re interested in working with green initiatives during your stay, make sure to ask your local destination management company about corporate social responsibility programs.
Now can you see why Boston should be at the top of your Destination list? When it comes to choosing a location, Beantown can offer so much to planners, stakeholders, and attendees during their stay – with easy accessibility, interactive activities of all kinds, and local partners that are service obsessed, Boston is the perfect destination for your next meeting, event, or conference.
Written by Kristina Spinelli