The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority is investing $100 million over the next five years in renovations to the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston’s historic Back Bay neighborhood.
“We are committed to the Hynes, and we are committed to ensuring a resurgence occurs,” MCCA Chief Executive Officer Marcel Vernon, Sr. said in an interview with the Boston Business Journal.
Attendees will soon notice new carpeting, windows, and bathroom upgrades in the Hynes, which is also undergoing HVAC redevelopment and systems upgrades to improve efficiency and support sustainability. The $100 million in enhancements will help usher the Hynes into the future, Vernon said, allowing the MCCA to make additional proactive investments.
The Hynes is already on the leading edge of convention center technology, currently boasting free building-wide Wi-Fi with bandwidth for up to 15,000 simultaneous devices. Future developments at the Hynes could include more digital media, more light-up signage, and AI wayfinding.
“As I embark upon my strategic plan, we'll begin to do more things that are immediate, that have a ‘wow’ factor,” Vernon said. “The critical thing is that the front-facing customer feels like there's change being made.”
The Hynes is currently open for bookings, offering a central location in Back Bay that makes it a “gem,” Vernon said.
“It’s highly coveted,” he added.
He added that in the longer term, bringing even more dining options and more post-event offerings is a goal. The Hynes is part of a complex that comprises 3 hotels and 2 world-class shopping destinations, plus the convention center all connected under one roof.
Dining options in the Hynes complex range from quick casual to elevated sit-down cuisine, and the recently opened View Boston experience provides stunning, panoramic views of the city from a 360-degree observation deck, 750 feet in the air at the top of the Prudential Center.
The Hynes and its connected hotels reside in the historic, walkable Back Bay neighborhood. The neighborhood’s compact urban design is packed with experiences for all palates including dining, entertainment, and arts & culture. The nearby Charles River provides scenic relaxation and walking, hiking, and biking. Historic green spaces—the Public Garden, Boston Common, and Copley Square—are also just steps from the Hynes.
“We feel pretty good about where the Hynes is headed,” Vernon said.
The Hynes Convention Center delivers industry-leading technology and services in the heart of Boston’s historic Back Bay neighborhood. To learn more about the Boston meeting experience at the Hynes, contact our Sales Team today!
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