JOHN B. HYNES VETERANS MEMORIAL CONVENTION CENTER THE HYNES bEAcON your guide to a great convention experience GETTING AROUND where to eat Activities doing bUsiness at the HYNEs WELCOME wE TER lcOmE N cEN TO THE NvENTIO JOHN b. HYNEs vETERANs mEmORIAl cO Welcome to the Hynes and historic Boston, America’s favorite convention city. Recently the Hynes earned a coveted gold standard designation from the International Association of Congress Centres, the highest certification possible worldwide. In fact, we are only the fifth facility in North America, and 15th globally, to achieve the gold Paris in the Heart of Back Bay standard. During your stay, we hope you see what sets us apart as one of the world’s leading convention destinations. Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Late Night Dining The Hynes’ location in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay is also a winner. You’re in the Saturday & Sunday Brunch • Private Events middle of some of the city’s best restaurants, cultural attractions, and entertainment. Private Events for Up to 150 Guests No shuttles needed. It’s all at your doorstep. We don’t want you to miss a thing on your visit, and that’s why we’ve created The Beacon, your “user’s guide” to the Hynes complex and beyond. It lists nearby business services, stores, and cultural attractions within walking distance. It also includes tips on what to do in and around the Back Bay, plus suggestions that will make your Boston experience unique and fun. For a digital taste of all we have to offer, check out the free “myHynes” app available for your iPhone, iPad, Android or Blackberry device. And if you’re interested in what the future holds for conventions in Boston, go to massconvention.com. Still have questions? Our Guest Service Ambassadors (the “red coats”) near each Hynes entrance will be happy to assist. On behalf of the entire staff at the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, thank you for visiting the award-winning Hynes. Here’s to a great event! 120 Huntington Avenue • Boston, MA • 02116 617.425.3240 • brasseriejoboston.com James E. Rooney Executive Director, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority 1 Table of ConTenTs THE HYNES bEAcON 2012 Edition Presented by The Hynes Beacon is published by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. ConnecT with Us! Mailing Address 415 Summer Street Stay connected with the Hynes for the latest updates, tips, and trends. Boston, MA 02210 Location Grab the FREE myHYNES App for your Apple, Android 900 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02115 or Blackberry device. Put the Hynes at your fingertips Executive Director with maps, facts, and up to the minute information. James E. Rooney exploring the hynes convention cOmplEx .......4 General Manager HYNEs Floor plans .....11 Maureen Shea Baker TEchnology toucH .....14 Director of Guest & Exhibitor Services TO and From the hynes .....16 Stephanie M. Shalkoski GREEN gatherings at the hynes .....19 Guest Services Manager Erica L. Smith wHERE to Eat .....20 Produced by convention cOmplEx Map .....22 Marquis Design 617-426-1470 TAkE A Break .....28 Project Director & Writer lOcAl Landmarks .....32 Dan Yaeger FEATURED bUsINESSEs .....35 The publishers have made every attempt to present @MassConvention @HynesBeacon @T5Boston accurate information in The Hynes Beacon, but are Thanks to our sponsors not responsible for errors or omissions. When utilizing facilities or vendors outside the Hynes, please call ahead to verify information. For information on the future of Boston conventions, go to massconvention.com. Copyright 2011, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. All rights reserved. 2 3 TIps FOR ExplORING THE HYNEs cONvENTION cOmplEx The Hynes Convention Center is surrounded by a world of amenities, Attending an event at the and you’ll cover a lot of ground exploring Hynes Convention Center them. Here are some can be the perfect mixture hints to getting places in the convention of business and pleasure. complex without One minute you’re deep into breaking a sweat. a conference, and the next, you’re stepping out into the excitement 1 of one of the world’s greatest cities. Hynes meeting rooms are numbered by floor— Level 1 rooms begin with “1,” and so on. Lower number rooms are located along the northern or Boylston Street side of ExplORING TH E HYNEs the building. 2 Restrooms in the Hynes are located on each cONvENTION cOmplEx level adjacent to the elevator/escalator banks; on Level 3 North, restrooms are found off the Ballroom Foyer. At the Hynes, you’re tucked into the heart of the covered, from floor plans and maps to tips on where 3 Back Bay of Boston, surrounded by the new-age culture to grab a snack, where to find souvenirs, or the best Guest Service and old-world charm that make the city famous. places to explore in Boston. Ambassadors (wearing The Hynes Beacon is here to help you make the most Still have questions? Ask one of our Guest Service the red coats) are of your convention experience. Ambassadors wearing a red coat and a bright smile. stationed at key points around the Hynes Like one of the lighthouses along our rugged coast, The You’ll find them in the lobby on Level One and Convention Center to Beacon spotlights all there is to do at the Hynes and the elsewhere throughout the building. help you with directions. surrounding convention complex. We’ve got everything 4 5 About the Convention ComplEx 4 Sheraton Boston Hotel Location, location, location. That’s meeting rooms can be what most people say is the best accessed by exiting the part of a Hynes convention. Hynes via the South Lobby and turning right. In many ways, the facility is a city within There is also access a city. The Hynes is connected to not through the south side one, but two major retail complexes, of the exhibit halls Prudential Center and Copley Place, on Level 2 (not open for all events). that contain just about everything you “Pru,” as it’s known locally, also features need during your stay. Fast food, fine an information station where you can dining, sundries, personal services, get tour suggestions, brochures, and the Who was John B. Hynes? world-class shopping, and four hotels lowdown on everything that’s happening It’s often said that Boston’s favorite sports are baseball 5 with more than 3,300 guest rooms— in Beantown. and politics. And while fans of the Celtics, Patriots, all under one roof. You can experience The convention complex A skybridge takes you to the Boston and Bruins might take exception to that idea, no one consists of two a serious slice of Boston without ever Marriott Copley Place, which offers would disagree that politics plays a central role in “neighborhoods”— worrying about the weather! Starbucks, several dining options, a Boston’s history. the Prudential Center Enter the Prudential Center through business center, and trolley tour tickets. and Copley Place— That’s why it should come as no surprise that the about five blocks long the Hynes South Lobby. Turn right for The hotel is located in Copley Place, the Hynes Convention Center was named for a former and two blocks wide. the Sheraton Boston Hotel and its place for browsing premier stores such mayor of Boston, John B. Hynes, who held office during The Hynes is located meeting rooms, Starbucks, dining, and as Tiffany & Co., Neiman Marcus, and at the northwestern the 1950s. During his tenure, Boston underwent a business center. A left turn takes you Barneys New York. (The multi-story indoor corner of the complex. dramatic transformation from a somewhat dingy into Prudential Center, home to an waterfall is the place to see and be seen.) Use the skybridges antique to a vibrant, forward-looking metropolis. to bypass city traffic extensive food court and fine dining, Another skybridge takes you to The and sometimes Westin Copley Place, Boston, with its day Hynes presided over the building of the “New Boston,” boutiques and shops including Saks nasty weather. Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor. The spa, business center, Starbucks, and variety which included the opening of the Central Artery of great restaurants. highway (now superceded by the “Big Dig”), creation of the Boston Redevelopment Authority and Freedom The newest hotel addition in the convention Trail, and development of the Prudential Center. complex is the Mandarin Oriental, Boston. Featuring a holistic spa and fitness center, When the city’s first major exposition venue fine dining, and full-service business center opened in 1965, John B. Hynes was the logical with secretarial and translation services, choice to inspire the name. Called Hynes the Mandarin is a welcome addition Auditorium in its early years, it became the to the neighborhood. Enter through the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Prudential Center’s new Newbury Arcade. Center in 1994 after a major expansion made it into the facility you’re using today. 6 7 6 Both the “Pru” and Copley Place have information desks available during daytime hours where you can get maps and directions. 7 For a bird’s-eye view of Boston, visit the Prudential Skywalk Observatory, located 50 stories above the Hynes. Buy a ticket near Information, pleasE… the South Lobby in the Prudential Arcade. Need to find the food court? Want a tip on a great tour of Boston? Step out to the visitor information booth in the Center Court of Prudential Center. You’ll find brochures and maps of Boston’s most popular attractions, plus trolley tour information, theater suggestions, and hints for dining at Boston’s great restaurants. The booth is open Monday– Friday 9 am–6 pm, weekends 10 am–6 pm; brochures available 24/7.