Boston's World-Class Convention Centers Are Very Well Connected

For meeting planners, bringing an event to one of Boston's convention centers means having a world of hotel rooms and housing solutions at your fingertips. Both the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center are directly connected to outstanding first-class hotel properties - and just minutes away from more than 35,000 hotel rooms in the Boston metro area. That's a lot of "room" for any trade show, association event, or corporate meeting to be successful.

 The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) is directly attached to The Westin Boston Waterfront, a spectacular new property that celebrated its opening in July of 2006. The 793-room Westin Boston Waterfront is the latest landmark on the burgeoning South Boston Waterfront that now includes the BCEC, the spectacular new Institute of Contemporary Art, and a host of retail, residential, and public park projects. In addition to the Westin Boston Waterfront, the BCEC is minutes from tens of thousands of other hotel rooms in properties that include the neighboring Seaport Hotel, with 426 rooms; the newly opened InterContinental Boston, with 424 rooms; and the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, with 471 rooms (opening in December of 2007). With the BCEC at the center of it all, this historic stretch of Boston waterfront is rapidly becoming the most vibrant and exciting convention center neighborhood anywhere. With easy access to public transportation, the BCEC and surrounding hotels put attendees within minutes of all of Boston's historic sites and attractions. The BCEC is also just eight minutes from Logan International Airport - easily accessible by taxi, bus, or water shuttle - and minutes from two major highways.

The Hynes Convention Center is connected to three great hotel properties. In fact, the Hynes is the centerpiece of what is known as the "Boston Convention Complex," which also encompasses two world-class shopping malls with hundreds of shops, restaurants, and more. The hotels joined to the Hynes include the 803-room Westin Copley Place, the 1,147-room Boston Marriott Copley Place, and the 1,216-room Sheraton Boston Hotel. All are connected via glass-enclosed pedestrian walkways. The Hynes is situated in the heart of Boston's world-famous Back Bay neighborhood, with its famed Newbury Street shopping, gas-lit avenues, and beautiful parks, including the Boston Common and the Boston Public Gardens. It is also within walking distance of more than 5,000 hotel rooms. No wonder the Hynes is considered the best all-inclusive convention center in the country.

Boston is the first city to establish a dedicated team to work directly with planners to find housing solutions that mirror their event needs. That includes helping secure your original room block, finding overflow solutions, and helping to solve your most challenging housing needs. It's one point of contact, so planners save time and money and get connected to the best overall hotel package.

CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

• Built by users for users, this state-of-the-art, high-tech facility is the largest convention center in the Northeast.
• Flexibility built into every area of the BCEC lets planners decide how to use the building to their best advantage. Facilities include three contiguous exhibit halls, divisible into 10 different configurations, and 84 fully equipped meeting rooms with multiple setup options.
• Located closer to the airport and major transportation systems than any convention center in North America, the BCEC will attract more attendees to your Boston-based event. John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center
• Situated in the heart of Boston's finest shopping, dining, nightlife, and historic attractions, the Hynes is the best-located all-inclusive convention center in the United States.
• The Hynes offers superior flexibility and services. Five unique exhibit halls include the Hynes auditorium, with built-in balcony and seating for more than 4,000 people.
• The Hynes is a compact facility with easy access to all meeting rooms, exhibit halls, and ballrooms in less than three minutes.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

South Boston Waterfront District Hotels

• The Westin Boston Waterfront is directly connected to the BCEC, with guest amenities that include Starwood Turbo Net Laptop, Heavenly Bed and Shower/Bath, indoor pool, Westin Workout Powered by Reebok, and more.
• With beautiful views of Boston Harbor, the Seaport Hotel is just one block from the BCEC and is directly connected to the Seaport World Trade Center.
• New additions include the InterContinental Boston and the Renaissance Boston Waterfront (opening December 2007). Boston Convention Complex Hotels
• The Westin Copley Place, Boston Marriott Copley Place, and Sheraton Boston Hotel are all connected via skybridge to the Hynes Convention Center and two upscale malls featuring more than 200 shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
• The hotels feature a total 3,166 total guest rooms, each offering high-speed Internet access, work space, and a variety of deluxe amenities.
• All properties feature a fitness facility, indoor pool, business services, and outstanding dining choices.

Boston: Westin Waterfront & Convention & Exhibition Center

Holding a Meeting in Boston Was Never So Easy

The Westin Boston Waterfront is ideally situated in the city's Seaport District. The 793-room luxury convention hotel is the only property connected to the new $800 million Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) - the largest convention center in the Northeast. Since opening in June 2006, the hotel has been honored with the prestigious Four Diamond Award by AAA and has been named the Official Hotel of the ICA - Boston's new Institute of Contemporary Art.

The Westin Boston Waterfront provides access to more than 1.6 million square feet of meeting space, including 516,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and an additional 160,000 square feet of convention space. A total of 32,000 square feet of meeting space at the hotel encompasses a 15,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and a 4,000-square-foot Commonwealth Ballroom, as well as an additional 14 breakout rooms with a capacity to accommodate groups of five to 150 people.

Meeting attendees who need to attend to business while staying at The Westin Boston Waterfront have no difficulty completing important tasks. The property's business center offers computer and telecommunications equipment rentals, as well as desktop publishing and administrative services. All guest rooms, including 29 suites and two Presidential Suites, feature dual-line telephones with voice messaging, in-room data ports, and large work desks. Planners, too, appreciate how easy it is to put together and carry out meetings at The Westin Boston Waterfront: A STAR Meeting Concierge stands ready to handle groups' requirements, and complete audiovisual support is available.

The hotel's guest rooms and suites also take pampering to new levels with Westin's The Heavenly Bed and The Heavenly Bath concepts. The all-white Heavenly Bed consists of a custom-designed pillowtop mattress with 900 individual coils; three sheets, ranging in thread count from 180 to 250; a down blanket (three versions for three different climates); a comforter and crisp duvet; and five pillows. Westin's The Heavenly Bath experience features a custom-designed shower with a Speakman dual showerhead, a specially designed curved shower rod to allow for more elbow room in the shower without causing "shower curtain cling," oversized combed cotton bath sheets, custom-designed bathrobes, and new spa amenities.

But the amenities don't stop there. Consistent with Westin's focus on satisfying guests' needs away from home, The Westin Boston Waterfront features a WestinWorkout Powered by Reebok custom-designed fitness facility. The sleek new fitness room is reminiscent of facilities found in upscale health clubs and is replete with treadmills, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, steppers, and elliptical trainers, as well as leg extension, leg curl, shoulder press, lat pulldown, and chest machines; free weights, and Cardio Theater - personal viewing screens and sound systems on all cardiovascular workout equipment. Additionally, the room includes a Reebok Core Training Zone - a unique center created to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic conditioning and outfitted with such special Reebok equipment as Core Boards, medicine balls, stability balls, and resistance tubing.

What's more, with its own stop on Boston's "T" transportation system, The Westin Boston Waterfront puts attendees within easy reach of all of Boston's historic sites and attractions, including museums, galleries, theaters, and sporting events. The Financial District, Back Bay, North End, Faneuil Hall, and Fenway Park lie minutes away. The hotel is also situated less than 10 minutes and three miles from Logan International Airport - easily accessible by taxi, bus, or water shuttle - and minutes from I-90 and I-93.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

•  The Westin Boston Waterfront features 793 rooms and is the only property connected to the new $800 million Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC).
• The property provides access to more than 1.6 million square feet of meeting space, including 516,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and an additional 160,000 square feet of convention space.
• A total of 32,000 square feet of meeting space at the hotel encompasses a 15,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and a 4,000-square-foot Commonwealth Ballroom, as well as an additional 14 breakout rooms with a capacity to accommodate groups of five to 150 people.

City, Facility Anticipate Biggest Convention Year Ever

Greater hartford's convention business is booming.j The skyline of Connecticut's Capital City has expanded dramatically during the past 18 months - and so has the region's wide selection of meeting space and hotel accommodations. As a result, the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau is gearing up for the largest conventions in its history. In 2007 alone, leaders will welcome the national conventions of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the United Church of Christ, and the joint convention of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Muslim American Society (MAS).

A major reason for this remarkable growth is the 540,000-square-foot Connecticut Convention Center - the largest meeting venue anywhere between New York and Boston. Overlooking the scenic Connecticut River, the center opened in 2005 and already has earned an impressive reputation. Right next door on the riverfront plaza is the sparkling $77 million Hartford Marriott Downtown. Just blocks away, a new retail and residential complex is being built at the Hartford Civic Center. Add to that, the nearby spacious Connecticut Expo Center, for a total of 740,000 square feet of high-tech facilities and amenities in one of the Northeast's most picturesque environs.

Greater Hartford's convenient access to more than 23 million people within a two-and-one-half hour drive is a major selling point for conventions, trade shows, and special events. Just 15 minutes away is Bradley International Airport, recognized by Newsweek as one of the nation's top boutique airports. This coming July, Northwest Airlines will debut nonstop service between Hartford and Amsterdam, the Netherlands - the airport's first direct trans-Atlantic flight - making it easier than ever for international conventioneers to travel to the region. Hartford's own Brainard Field is a particular favorite of private aircraft pilots, offering easy access and amenities. Amtrak and major bus lines travel through Downtown Hartford's historic Union Station. And, once visitors arrive, they can explore the city with a free ride through the city on the Hartford Star Shuttle, which stops at many major hotels and attractions.

Ranked in the top six percent of North American metropolitan areas for its abundance of art and culture, Greater Hartford offers entertainment, dining, and leisure activities for every taste. Top attractions include the Tony Award-winning Hartford Stage, the renowned Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, author Mark Twain's beautiful Victorian Gothic mansion, two of the world's largest casinos, and memorable sunset river cruises.

Meeting planners can choose from a variety of historic and arts venues for spouse tours and off-site entertainment. In fact, many say they consider Greater Hartford because of its wealth of cultural heritage attractions, and design their meetings to take advantage of these opportunities.

More than 30 three- and four-star Hartford restaurants serve up every type of cuisine, with prices to fit any budget, from New England seafood and Angus steaks, to Pan-Asian delicacies and Italian classics. At night, Hartford bars and clubs sizzle with some of the best jazz, blues, and rock in Southern New England.

All this - and less than an hour away from the beaches of the Long Island Sound, the ski slopes and hiking trails of the Berkshire Mountains, and dozens of quaint Southern New England village greens. It's easy to see why Greater Hartford is a top choice of many meeting and convention planners.

CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• The 540,000-square-foot Connecticut Convention Center is the anchor of Adriaen's Landing, which will include a retail and entertainment complex, and is in walking distance of jogging trails, parklands, and boating.
• The 140,000-square-foot exhibit hall can accommodate up to 800 10' x 10' booths. It has 20 loading docks, two drive-in bays, and a drive-on exhibit floor.
• The center's bold design incorporates a plaza and vaulted roof to the north, a tree-lined esplanade, and an architecturally attractive exposure overlooking the Hartford skyline and the Connecticut River. HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS • There are more than 6,000 hotel rooms within a 30-mile radius of Hartford
• Connected to the Connecticut Convention Center, the Hartford Marriott Downtown features 409 guest rooms and suites, a signature restaurant and cocktail lounge, Starbucks Cafe, and concierge services, along with a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, and luxury spa services.
• The newly remodeled Hilton Hartford, an AAA Four-Diamond Quality and Service property, is connected to the Hartford Civic Center via skywalk.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Hartford will open in early 2007 in the historic Bond Building downtown.
• The Goodwin Hotel is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation scheduled for completion in September 2007.
• The Crowne Plaza Hartford Downtown recently completed total renovation of its lobby and all guest rooms and suites.
• There has been significant hotel growth in the region. In the past year alone, a variety of new hotels have opened at Bradley International Airport and in Hartford's surrounding suburbs - ranging from all suite-hotels to traditional New England bed and breakfast establishments.

Monona Terrace Convention Center & Nearby Hotels

Home to the renowned University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as to a majestic Capitol building built upon an isthmus alive with cultural arts, engaging intellectual pursuits, and a wealth of recreational opportunities, Madison, Wis., has established a reputation for being the place for smart meet- ings. The centerpiece of such meetings is the Monona Terrace Convention Center, conceived by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright and opened in 1997 when architects brought Wright's plans for the building to fruition on the shore of Lake Monona in downtown Madison.

Distinguished by sweeping lines and vast, arched windows, the Monona Terrace Convention Center accommodates groups in 85,000 square feet of high-quality meeting and exhibit space. Its 37,200-square-foot Exhibition Hall holds up to 212 10' x 10' booths, while its 13,524-square-foot Madison Ballroom is divisible into four smaller ballrooms. The 7,000-square-foot Grand Terrace serves as prefunction space for the ballroom or may be used on its own as a magnificent indoor event space. For a unique twist, planners can book the center's 68,000 square feet of rooftop gardens.

Whether events are held indoors or outdoors, Monona Catering - the facility's in-house catering partner - will serve up dishes attendees will savor long after functions are over. From pheasant ravioli set on a bed of baby lettuce and Southwestern grilled fare to scalloped brochettes and smoked salmon, continental breakfasts to elegant receptions, planners will discover a combination of flavors to their groups' tastes and style.

Monona Terrace is equipped with the kind of technology even Frank Lloyd Wright could scarcely have imagined. Client Internet access is through redundant DS3's with a combined total bandwidth of 145 MB. Monona Terrace is one of only a handful of convention centers offering Internet 2 access. An extensive inventory of the most current audiovisual equipment and services makes it easy for presenters to share their knowledge with delegates. Wireless Internet access is available everywhere in the building and rooftop gardens. Additionally, the venue offers Internet or satellite services that allow for the delivery of messages around the globe.

The caliber of Monona Terrace's facilities and accoutrements - and the center's proximity to hotel accommodations - will continue to bolster its reputation. A total of 1,000 hotel rooms lie within walking distance of Monona Terrace, including the attached 240-room Hilton Madison convention headquarters hotel. The city of Madison has more than 8,000 hotel rooms, ranging from first-class convention hotels to limited-service properties, budget-conscious motels, and bed-and-breakfast inns. Several bed-and-breakfast establishments provide services and amenities appropriate for executive attendees.

Topping it all off, Madison is known for its diversity of recreational opportunities. Museum Mile, just steps from the convention center, offers six fascinating museums, plus several art galleries. State Street, the city's famed pedestrian mall, links the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus with Capitol Square and is lined with eclectic specialty stores, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. Culture buffs won't want to miss the $200 million Overture Center For the Arts, Madison's newest addition to the cultural arts district, where they can enjoy a wide range of acclaimed jazz and classical music, ballet, modern and jazz dance, and Broadway musical performances. For animal lovers, there's the Henry Vilas Zoo, where admission is free.

Outdoor activities are also very popular in the city, thanks to numerous hiking and biking trails, nearby skiing, and the Madison area's five lakes. A host of excellent golf courses are found in and around Madison, including several designed by top golf architects.

HOTEL SPECIFICATIONS

• Rooms Within Walking Distance of Convention Center
• 1,000
• Rooms Citywide 8,000+
•  Rooms at Attached Hilton Madison 240

CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

•  Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who spent most of his teenage years in Madison and wanted to leave his stamp on the city, conceived the original plan for the Monona Terrace Convention Center.
• A lakeside, public bike/hike path running along the water's edge make the building easily accessible by pedestrians and vehicular traffic alike.
• The center boasts a total of 85,000 square feet of convention and meeting space. It accommodates groups of 30 to 3,300 delegates.
• The 37,200-square-foot Exhibition Hall can hold 212 10' x 10' exhibit booths, 2,000 people for banquets, 1,656 people classroom-style, or 3,300 people theater-style.
• Divisible into four smaller sections, the Madison Ballroom spans 13,524 square feet of space. It can accommodate 808 people for banquets, 864 people classroom-style, and 1,400 people theater-style.
• The 7,000-square-foot Grand Terrace may be used for banquets hosting up to 360 guests. It also serves as a prefunction space for the Madison Ballroom.
• The center also offers 68,000 square feet of rooftop gardens.
• Technology features encompass a dedicated infrastructure of fiber optic cables, and Internet 2 and satellite systems are available. Category 5 copper with single and multimode fibers and broadband cables run throughout the building. Internet access is provided through redundant DS3's with a combined available bandwidth of 145 MB.
• Wireless Internet access is available throughout the building and rooftop gardens. The center is also equipped for interactive multimedia presentations and satellite uplink/downlink access.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

•  A total of 1,000 hotel rooms are situated within walking distance of the center.
•  A direct connection links the convention center with the 240-room Hilton Madison convention headquarters hotel.
• The city of Madison offers a total of more than 8,000 hotel rooms.
•  Accommodations range from first-class convention hotels to limited-service hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfast establishments.

Grimaldi Forum Monaco & Nearby Hotels

Facility Offers New Meeting Experience

Planners can take their meetings to a new level by booking the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, in the Principality of Monaco. Opened in July of 2000, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco serves as both a center of cultural activities in the Principality and a major venue for exhibitions, conferences, and conventions comprising 200 to more than 2,000 attendees. It is also the only European venue with an opera-style configuration as well as a wide variety of spaces that may be used separately or together, ensuring that any meeting held there will not be just another event, but rather, a true experience.

Indeed, the facility already has many feathers in its cap, beginning with successfully organized events held over the past five years, as well as confirmed future bookings for major international meetings and conferences expected to draw 800 to 2,500 delegates. In fact, in its short history, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco has three times been designated "Best Overseas Conference Center" (2003, 2004, and 2005) as part of the prestigious M&IT Awards. Its strong appeal to the U.S. market was proven when it welcomed the 2005 MPI-PEC Europe conference, which attracted a record-breaking number of attendees.

Such praise isn't surprising, given that the Grimaldi Forum Monaco provides everything needed for stellar events - and more. The state-of-the-art facility features more than 376,000 square feet of modular space that may be arranged in a wide variety of configurations to suit groups' specific requirements. This includes an expansive 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, three auditoriums that accommodate up to 400, 800, and 1,900 people, respectively; and 11 breakout rooms with seating for 50 to 200 delegates. The main auditorium, the Salle des Princes, can be configured to hold 1,300 delegates theater-style or up to 1,900 delegates classroom-style, while the two smaller auditoriums may be used theater- or classroom-style for 200 to 800 attendees.

Additionally, nine of the facility's 11 breakout rooms, which boast a collective 1,200 seats, may be divided into as many as 22 breakout rooms using soundproof partitions. Even the exhibit areas are divisible into areas, ranging from 6,000 square feet to the 45,000-square-foot Espace Ravel. Two large loading bays yield external and internal access to the exhibit area, saving booth setup and tear-down time. Groups convening at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco also enjoy access to a host of flexible dining options, as well as to the cadre of technology critical to holding productive meetings in today's fast-paced business climate. The Karement tapas bar offers a unique design and a sweeping view of the Mediterranean Sea. Two other catering spaces, Le Guelfe and Le Genois, can each accommodate up to 500 guests at lunchtime, and Espace Diaghilev holds 1,200 people for seated luncheons or dinners and up to 3,000 for cocktail receptions. The Espace Ravel accommodates 3,500 guests for cocktails or 2,000 for gala sit-down dinners, and the lobby bar has a maximum capacity of 1,000 people or 500 using round tables and the adjoining terrace. Even better, nearly 1,500 hotel rooms are available within walking distance of the Grimaldi Forum Monaco. As of this year, the entire Principality will offer almost 3,000 rooms, rendering it ideal for large groups.

GRIMALDI FORUM MONACO HIGHLIGHTS

•  The Grimaldi Forum Monaco offers a total of 100,000 square feet of flexible exhibit space and can accommodate groups of 200 to more than 2,000 attendees.
• Two exhibit halls are suitable for trade shows or parties for up to 2,500 guests apiece.
• Eleven breakout rooms can hold 50 to 220 people apiece and may be further divided into 22 breakout rooms.
• Three auditoriums can host events for 400, 800, and 1,900 people, respectively.
• State-of-the-art technology features include wireless Internet access; Cable 5 network cabling; a sound, projection, and lighting control room; and rollup screens in various sizes.
• The Grimaldi Forum Monaco also has a tapas bar, indoor disco, two restaurants, and a lobby bar, plus several areas for catered functions.
• The facility lies 30 minutes away by car from Nice International Airport. Helicopter shuttle service to the Principality departs from the airport every 30 minutes and whisks guests to Monaco in seven minutes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Laurence Garino, sales and development director, phone: +377 99 99 21 00; Fax: +377 99 99 21 01; e-mail: gf@grimaldiforum.mc; or Web site: www.grimaldiforum.mc.