Black Meetings & Tourism - MCAA Files Legislation To Expand Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

Facilities Update
MCAA Files Legislation To Expand Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
Legislation Requires No New Fees or Taxes and Moves Four-Year Top 5 Campaign Forward The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority recently filed legislation in the State House of Representatives that would authorize the expansion of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the South Boston Waterfront without the need for new fees or taxes. Co-sponsored by State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and State Representative Nick Collins, the bill authorizes a 1.3 million-sq. ft. expansion of the BCEC, including substantial additions to the exhibit and meeting space, and a second, larger ballroom, allowing the MCCA to attract larger events and host multiple concurrent events. Funding for the $1 billion expansion would be supported by the existing Convention Center Fund, which was created in 1997 to pay for the construction and operations of the BCEC. The Convention Center Fund revenues consist of existing tourism-based fees and taxes, none of which would need to be increased to fund the expansion project. "This legislation is the culmination of a four-year transparent and public campaign aimed at increasing Boston's and Massachusetts' share of the meeting and convention industry," said James E. Rooney, MCCA executive director. "Over the past decade, we've worked hard to make Massachusetts a major convention market, and with the successful passage of this legislation - which requires no new fees or taxes - we have an opportunity to solidify our leadership and increase the jobs and economic benefit our work creates for years to come."

Facilities Update

MCAA Files Legislation To Expand Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

Legislation Requires No New Fees or Taxes and Moves
Four-Year Top 5 Campaign Forward

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority recently filed legislation in the State House of Representatives that would authorize the expansion of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the South Boston Waterfront without the need for new fees or taxes.

Co-sponsored by State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and State Representative Nick Collins, the bill authorizes a 1.3 million-sq. ft. expansion of the BCEC, including substantial additions to the exhibit and meeting space, and a second, larger ballroom, allowing the MCCA to attract larger events and host multiple concurrent events. Funding for the $1 billion expansion would be supported by the existing Convention Center Fund, which was created in 1997 to pay for the construction and operations of the BCEC. The Convention Center Fund revenues consist of existing tourism-based fees and taxes, none of which would need to be increased to fund the expansion project.

"This legislation is the culmination of a four-year transparent and public campaign aimed at increasing Boston's and Massachusetts' share of the meeting and convention industry," said James E. Rooney, MCCA executive director. "Over the past decade, we've worked hard to make Massachusetts a major convention market, and with the successful passage of this legislation - which requires no new fees or taxes - we have an opportunity to solidify our leadership and increase the jobs and economic benefit our work creates for years to come."

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