Doing business in Boston
The city of Boston deftly combines New England's charm with a thriving business scene, making it a well-rounded destination for business travellers
Monday, February 18th, 2019 By David O'Donnell, Senior Manager of Media Relations at Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Boston is a dynamic destination for business travellers, mixing a rich history with eclectic dining, vibrant culture, extraordinary shopping, frenzied sports fandom and world-class museums
From its bustling urban centre to the beautiful surrounding neighbourhoods, Boston is primed to welcome visitors of all kinds. Often referred to as the capital of New England, the city boasts an ideal combination of colonial charm and urban sophistication. Boston is a dynamic destination for business travellers, mixing a rich history with eclectic dining, vibrant culture, extraordinary shopping, frenzied sports fandom and world-class museums.
The city is a hub of innovation, recognised across the globe as an unparalleled centre for education, technology and life sciences. Known as the 'Athens of America', the prestigious medical and educational institutions across Boston and Cambridge cultivate an ecosystem of creativity and intellectualism.
The metropolitan area's 35 hospitals and more than 60 colleges and universities are a vast resource for business meetings and event organisers. Groups that meet in Boston and Cambridge have access to the ever-expanding network of world-renowned financial and biotech institutions located in the Greater Boston area.
Where to stay and play
Boston and Cambridge feature a diverse assortment of accommodation options, designed to suit the needs of any traveller. From five-star boutique hotels and independent properties to all the major domestic and international brands, everyone can find the perfect home away from home in Boston.
There are dozens of hotel projects in Greater Boston's pipeline, with more than 4,000 new hotel rooms coming to the market by 2022. These comprise a mixture of full-service hotels, boutique properties and extended-stay facilities that range from new builds to repurposed spaces within historic buildings.
As well as an extensive range of accommodation options, visitors to Boston will find something to excite their taste buds. The city offers upscale, international and contemporary cuisine, as well as its signature chowder and seafood menus. Each neighbourhood brings its own unique flavour to Boston's restaurant scene, and new establishments regularly join the mix to keep things fresh.
Whether they're looking for a venue to host a lunch or somewhere to unwind at the end of the working day, business travellers will find a spot that suits them. The One Seaport development is an emerging hotspot where business travellers can enjoy a drink before heading out for dinner. One Seaport features an array of new restaurants serving craft cocktails and locally brewed beer.
At the other end of town, in the Mandarin Oriental hotel, Bar Boulud is a chic spot that showcases the finest elements of the craft cocktail movement without forgetting its focus on hospitality and comfort.
The expansive drinks menu features reimagined classics, rediscovered gems and new creations. Around the corner at the Prudential Centre, Italian marketplace Eataly offers 45,000sq ft of authentic Italian food, wine, eateries and more. A vast emporium spanning three floors, Eataly is the perfect spot to grab a pastry, sandwich or coffee, or to enjoy a more extensive sit-down meal at one of the four onsite restaurants. From nationally known brands to locally owned and operated restaurants, Boston has it all covered.
Time to explore
Those with a little free time between meetings don't have to travel far to experience Boston's great shopping and attractions, as each neighbourhood has something to offer. From picking up a keepsake to purchasing clothing, art or electronics, visitors to Boston should take advantage of Massachusetts' tax-free shopping for apparel under $175. Independent boutiques can be found in the North End and South End neighbourhoods, while Newbury Street mixes independent and nationally known shops. The malls at the Prudential Centre, Copley Place and CambridgeSide, meanwhile, offer a host of well-known brands, while designer outlets are located just seven minutes from Downtown Boston by subway at Assembly Row in Somerville.
At the new Boston Public Market, just around the corner from Faneuil Hall, shoppers can find fresh, locally produced goods. Boston Public Market is an indoor, year-round, 28,000sq ft market with 45 permanent vendors, which can also accommodate up to 20 additional vendors on the plaza outside. All items are locally sourced and include seafood, dairy, fruits and vegetables, craft beer and spirits.
Sports fans can enjoy a variety of attractions, including a behind-the-scenes tour of America's most beloved ballpark, Fenway Park, home of World Series champions the Boston Red Sox. Alternatively, visitors can wander around the Museum of Fine Arts, which is one of the largest art museums in the US and contains more than 450,000 works of art. Other signature museums include the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, the historic Old North Church, and the Museum of African American History and Culture.
Whether they're looking for a venue to host a lunch or somewhere to unwind at the end of the working day, business travellers will find a spot that suits them
Visitors who venture out to Cambridge should take a tour of Harvard University. This 383-year-old Ivy League establishment offers private guided tours of the scenic Harvard area, including an outdoor walk through Harvard Yard, where guests will enjoy hearing about the four centuries of Harvard history. The recently renovated Harvard Art Museums are an architectural masterpiece, while the nearby MIT Museum showcases the incredible innovation that has occurred in Boston and Cambridge.
The number of international visitors to Boston is growing, largely driven by the increase in international flights arriving at the newly modernised Logan International Airport. International, nonstop flights to Boston have nearly doubled since 2012, and the airport now serves 56 destinations across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. As the largest airport in New England, Logan services nearly 40 million passengers a year and will add several new international flights in 2019.
To help facilitate the increase in passenger traffic, which is projected to reach 10 million international passengers by 2022, the Massachusetts Port Authority is planning a massive expansion of the international terminal. This will include new gates, an expanded customs area and a covered pedestrian walkway to the subway station. Logan International Airport is just three miles from the city, making it easily accessible by subway, bus, taxi or water taxi. Boston may have been nicknamed 'America's Walking City', but it is also extremely well connected by public transport, making each journey simple and stress-free. What's more, planners and delegates find that Boston is a very safe destination.
Boston offers visitors everything they could want for an authentic East Coast experience. From seafood and shopping to sports and sightseeing, the cutting-edge and traditional are in constant conversation in this vibrant city.
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