Boston prepares a 'wicked' welcome to AIPC delegates

AMERICAS – Two hundred registered delegates from 95 convention centres and representing 39 nationalities are expected in Boston for the AIPC Annual Conference and 57th General Assembly, 5-8 July. The Hynes Convention Center in Boston’s Back Bay neighbourhood is hosting this year’s conference, which takes ‘engagement’ as its major theme. Central to the discussions will be how to build value from hosted events that includes not just revenues but also the benefits associated with better engagement with local business, professional and academic communities. While this has been a priority for a number of years, AIPC says there has only been limited success in translating it into tangible and measureable programmes and reflecting it in destination positioning in most parts of the world. Organisers say that AIPC’s 2015 Annual Conference in Boston will, therefore, incorporate this aspect of centre planning and programming as a major focus, illustrating the principles and opportunities from both a specific centre perspective as well the broader principles driving the agendas of key community groups. The new ‘Signature Boston’ destination marketing organisation for the city is backing the AIPC conference and keen to showcase a city that is the US No.1 destination in the ICCA rankings for 2014. James E. Rooney, executive direction of the Massachusetts  Convention Center Authority said: “As we say in Boston, we are wicked excited to host the AIPC Annual Conference in 2015. On behalf of my entire Signature Boston team, we are ready to wow you with all Boston has to offer.” https://www.www.c-mw.net/boston-centre-to-roll-out-navigation-app/ The welcome includes a reception at The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum for delegates in town on the 4 July. Keynote speakers include Professor Greg Clark, chairman of the OECD Forum on Local Development and Investment Strategies. He is an advisor and mentor for cities, business, and investment and is currently a moderator of the World Mayors Forum, The Moscow Urban Forum, and The Asia Pacific Cities Summit. He will be addressing the question of how major cities are evolving and what that means in terms of a changing role for their convention centres and industries. Chris Fair, a futurist, facilitator and marketing strategist, will be addressing issues of how centres can achieve better alignment with other components of their respective city ‘brand’ in order to better respond to current market conditions. Meanwhile, The Boston Marriott Copley Place has completed a renovation of its Grand Ballroom and Back Bay Conference and Exhibition Hall, as well as its Atrium Lounge. The Grand Ballroom divides into 11 sections, accommodating 3,640 for receptions and 1,990 for banquets. The hotel now offers 6,503sqm of contemporary meeting space and 45 meeting rooms in total. It is also a winner of the Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award, Meeting News Planners Choice Award, Gold Key Award, and Cvent’s list of Top 100 Meeting Hotels in the United States.