The Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center is Boston’s largest convention and trade-show venue. Formerly known as the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, it was renamed in 2025 in honour of Thomas M. Menino, Boston’s longest-serving mayor and an important supporter of the city’s Seaport development.
Located in Boston’s Seaport District, the centre offers 516,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space, 82 meeting rooms and a large Grand Ballroom. Its modern layout supports international conventions, technology exhibitions, corporate meetings, medical conferences, banquets and major public events.
The building covers approximately 2.1 million square feet, so visitors should confirm their exhibit hall, meeting-room level and entrance before arriving.
Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center |
| Former name | Boston Convention & Exhibition Center |
| Common abbreviation | MCEC |
| Address | 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 |
| Operator | Massachusetts Convention Center Authority |
| Total building area | Approximately 2.1 million square feet |
| Contiguous exhibit space | 516,000 square feet |
| Main exhibit halls | Halls A, B and C |
| Meeting rooms | 82 |
| Meeting-room space | Approximately 151,781 square feet |
| Grand Ballroom | 40,020 square feet |
| On-site parking | Approximately 1,300 spaces |
| Standard self-parking | $35 per vehicle |
| Oversized-vehicle parking | $70 per vehicle |
| Nearest public transit | World Trade Center Silver Line station |
| Distance from Logan Airport | Approximately 2.9 miles |
| Connected hotel | The Westin Boston Seaport District |
Address and Location
The official address of the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center is: 415 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
The venue is located in South Boston’s Seaport District, close to D Street, Congress Street and the Boston waterfront. It is only a short distance from Interstate 90 and Interstate 93, making it accessible from Logan International Airport, Downtown Boston and surrounding communities.
Logan International Airport is approximately 2.9 miles away. A taxi or rideshare journey may take around eight minutes in light traffic, although travel time can increase during rush hour or major events.
South Station is approximately a 10- to 15-minute walk from the building. It offers Amtrak, commuter rail, Red Line subway and regional bus connections.
Facilities at the Convention Center
The MCEC combines exhibition halls, ballrooms, meeting rooms, registration areas and business services within one large complex.
Major facilities include:
- Three principal exhibit halls
- Eighty-two meeting rooms
- A column-free Grand Ballroom
- Boardroom Suite
- Registration and pre-function areas
- North Lobby and multiple attendee entrances
- Loading docks and indoor staging areas
- Full-service FedEx Office
- On-site food concessions and catering
- First-aid facilities
- Free general Wi-Fi
- Accessible restrooms and elevators
- Direct hotel connections
- The Lawn On D outdoor event space
The 82 meeting rooms provide approximately 151,781 square feet of combined space. Four rooms are located on the exhibit level, 38 are on Level One and another 38 are on Level Two. Their distribution allows attendees to reach most parts of the building within a few minutes.
The venue’s 2.7-acre Lawn On D sits beside the convention centre and can be used for receptions, performances, branded experiences and outdoor corporate programmes.
Hall Capacity and Layout
1. Exhibit Hall A
Exhibit Hall A covers approximately 170,000 square feet. It offers a nearly column-free layout with high ceilings, drive-on access and in-floor utility connections.
Maximum published capacities include approximately:
- 15,418 people in theatre-style seating
- 10,020 people in classroom seating
- 10,360 guests for a banquet
The hall is well suited to trade exhibitions, machinery displays, technology shows, sporting layouts and large corporate sessions. It also provides convenient access to registration areas, the ballroom and Boardroom Suite.
2. Exhibit Hall B
Exhibit Hall B is the largest individual hall, covering approximately 184,000 square feet.
Its maximum published capacities include:
- 17,647 people in theatre-style seating
- 11,253 people in classroom seating
- 11,440 guests for a banquet
- More than 26,000 people for a reception configuration
The hall can be divided into two sections of approximately 92,000 square feet each. This allows separate events or exhibition zones to operate on the same floor while maintaining controlled access.
3. Exhibit Hall C
Exhibit Hall C provides approximately 162,000 square feet of exhibition space.
Maximum published configurations include:
- 14,729 people in theatre seating
- 9,627 people in classroom seating
- 10,800 guests for a banquet
The hall has natural light with blackout capability, direct access to loading areas and convenient proximity to attendee parking. It is useful for consumer exhibitions, large dinners, product launches and general sessions.
4. Combined Exhibition Floor
Halls A, B and C provide a total of 516,000 square feet of contiguous, virtually column-free exhibition space.
The floor can be arranged in several configurations and includes ten exhibit-hall entrances. Soundproof air walls allow organisers to separate events or create controlled sections within the same building.
In-floor utility boxes, loading docks and staging areas support complex trade-show installations, vehicles, machinery and temporary exhibition structures.
5. Grand Ballroom
The Grand Ballroom covers approximately 40,020 square feet and can be divided into two separate areas using a soundproof air wall.
Its maximum published capacities include:
- 5,020 people in theatre seating
- 2,718 people in classroom seating
- 3,120 guests for a banquet
- 5,370 people for a reception
The ballroom is column-free and includes production, lighting and rigging capabilities. A 19,340-square-foot pre-function area provides views of Boston Harbor and the Seaport skyline.
Parking at Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center
The convention centre provides approximately 1,300 attendee parking spaces in its South Lot.
Current standard parking charges are:
- Regular vehicle: $35
- Oversized vehicle: $70
Drivers should enter from Summer Street, turn onto East Side Drive and continue alongside the building. After passing the designated rideshare area, drivers follow the ramp down to the South Lot entrance.
Accessible spaces are positioned closest to the building and carry the same parking charge. Parking availability may be affected by event size, and spaces are not guaranteed simply because someone holds an event ticket.
Visitors requiring covered or overnight parking should use a nearby commercial garage because the main attendee area is a surface lot.
Reaching the Convention Center
The MBTA Silver Line is one of the simplest ways to reach the venue. World Trade Center Station is directly across from the convention centre.
Passengers arriving at Logan Airport can take the Silver Line toward South Station. Travel from the airport is free, including transfers to the Red Line. The return journey to the airport requires the normal MBTA fare.
South Station provides connections to:
- MBTA Red Line
- Commuter Rail
- Amtrak
- Regional and intercity buses
- Local bus services
Taxis, Uber and Lyft use designated areas along East Side Drive. Pickup locations may change during major shows, so visitors should follow event signs or instructions in their rideshare app.
Popular Hotels Near the Convention Center
The Seaport District offers several hotels within a short walk of the MCEC.
- The Westin Boston Seaport District: Directly connected to the convention centre by a skybridge. It is the most convenient choice for visitors who want indoor access to meeting rooms and exhibit halls.
- Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport: Located across Summer Street and connected to the convention centre through covered access. It offers luxury accommodation, restaurants, meeting areas and wellness facilities.
- Aloft Boston Seaport District: A modern hotel close to the venue, with casual social spaces, an indoor pool and a lively bar.
- Element Boston Seaport District: An extended-stay property across from the convention area. Its rooms are useful for longer visits because they include kitchen facilities.
- Seaport Hotel Boston: A waterfront hotel near World Trade Center Station, offering restaurants, business facilities and convenient access to the harbour.
- Renaissance Boston Seaport District Hotel: An upscale property within the wider Seaport neighbourhood, suitable for business travellers seeking additional meeting and dining options.
- Hampton Inn Boston Seaport District: A practical option for attendees looking for breakfast and more straightforward accommodation near the convention area.
Hotel rates can increase sharply during large conventions. The Westin is best for direct indoor access, while Omni, Aloft and Element are useful for attendees who prefer to stay immediately around the Summer Street and D Street sides of the venue.
Dining at and Near the MCEC
Levy Restaurants is the exclusive food-and-beverage provider inside the convention centre. Concessions operate according to each event’s size and schedule, while organisers can arrange catered meals for private meetings, exhibition booths, receptions and ballroom programmes.
Menus can be customised for different budgets, cuisines and dietary requirements. The centre also offers Boston-style choices such as New England seafood and locally sourced ingredients.
The surrounding Seaport District provides many additional restaurants, including seafood venues, cafés, steakhouses, Italian restaurants, breweries and hotel dining rooms. Visitors can find further choices along Seaport Boulevard, Congress Street and Northern Avenue.
Accessibility
The convention centre is designed to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Accessible entrances, elevators, restrooms and parking spaces are available throughout the property.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available without charge through the First Aid Station. Availability is not guaranteed, so visitors who depend on mobility equipment should make separate arrangements in advance.
Golf carts may operate during selected events to help attendees travel within the large building. Visitors needing personal assistance can contact the venue’s Public Safety department.
Trained service animals are permitted. Individual event organisers may provide additional accessibility services such as assistive listening, interpreters or reserved seating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center the same as the BCEC?
A: Yes. The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center was renamed the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in 2025. Older event listings, maps and hotel pages may still use the BCEC name.
Q: Which entrance should visitors use?
A: The correct entrance depends on the event. Registration may be located in the North Lobby, East Registration area or another designated section. Visitors should check their event email or mobile app before arriving.
Q: Is parking included with an event ticket?
A: Normally, no. Parking is charged separately unless the organiser specifically includes a parking pass.
Q: Is the parking lot covered?
A: No. The main South Lot is a surface parking area. Visitors seeking covered parking should use a nearby commercial garage.
Q: Can visitors walk from South Station?
A: Yes. The convention centre is approximately a 10- to 15-minute walk from South Station along Summer Street.
Q: Does the venue provide free Wi-Fi?
A: Yes. General Wi-Fi is available throughout the facility. Exhibitors requiring dedicated connectivity for demonstrations, sales systems or streaming may need to order a separate service.
Q: Can wheelchairs be borrowed at the venue?
A: A limited number of wheelchairs are available free of charge through the First Aid Station. They are offered according to availability.
Q: Is luggage storage available?
A: General luggage storage is not guaranteed. Visitors should ask their hotel to hold bags or check whether their event organiser has arranged a supervised coat or bag check.
Q: Can someone visit The Lawn On D without attending a convention?
A: Access depends on its public programme and private-event schedule. Some activities are open to the public, while other dates are reserved for organised events.
Q: Which hotel has the easiest access to the convention centre?
A: The Westin Boston Seaport District has the most convenient connection because guests can enter the convention centre through an indoor skybridge.