But Pat Moscaritolo, executive director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, points out that the result of the study, done by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, demonstrates that Boston is a strong marketplace. He acknowledges that the study notes the challenges of marketing the center and but he points out that it also lays out a road map for meeting those challenges.

According to a released statement, Governor Jane Swift's administration requested that the Bureau and the Lodging Association conduct an "interim study and analysis of the convention market and to identify requirements of potential convention and meeting delegates that would utilize the" new convention center. The release further states that the "findings clearly indicate that unmet demand for convention business does exist in Boston and that the [convention center] with adequate hotel supply and infrastructure improvements will allow Boston to compete for that demand."

The report also found that Boston's market share of the convention and trade show industry has been limited by the space offered at its other center, the Hynes Convention Center. The Center's market share has been greater than its share of supply. Also it indicates that approximately 3,000 convention-quality hotel rooms are expected to open by 2006, close to the new convention center. Based on user survey responses and competitive destinations, these additions, along with the total convention-quality hotel room supply in the Boston area, will accommodate the needs of groups that form the current market for Boston and the new convention center.

The study recommends that further hotel development in the area should be encouraged as well as other types of development such as retail, restaurants and entertainment. Efficient modes of transportation to the new center should also be developed, it recommends.

Moscaritolo notes that in comparison to the 1996 study that was done to asses the feasibility of a new center, this study indicates that there will be nine percent fewer hotel room nights generated. He says that this figure proves that the demand for the new center is still there. He points out that the 1996 study was done for a 600,000-sf center. Since then, the plans for the center have been scaled back to 517,000 sf.

The Hynes Convention Center, the city's current center, will continue to be used and should continue to achieve a high rate of occupancy, despite the new center, notes the study. But it warns, "it may be appropriate for officials to consider some type of re-use of the Hynes over the long-term."

Instant Insights /

Study Indicates Demand for New Convention Center

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