Media Relations & Tourism Sales Department of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Larry Meehan, Vice President of Media Relations & Tourism Sales, lmeehan@bostonusa.com, 617-867-8231; Joanna Blasi, Media Relations & Tourism Sales Coordinator, jblasi@bostonusa.com, 617-867-8226.

April 23, 2007

Boston Named ‘Top Destination in U.S.’ for International Association Meetings

BOSTON- Boston and Cambridge have been named the top destination in the United States for international association meetings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

According to the ICCA report, “City and Country Rankings for the International Association Meetings Market,” Boston and Cambridge skyrocketed from ninth place in 2005 to first in 2006, making it the number-one destination in the United States.

“This dramatic growth is the result of the bureau’s partnerships targeting the international association meetings market,” said Patrick B. Moscaritolo, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB).

 “Last year, the GBCVB, to accelerate the growth of the international meetings market, partnered with the Cambridge Office for Tourism in a unique, three-year dedicated sales and marketing campaign that is clearly paying dividends.”

The GBCVB’s overall campaign includes attendance at trade shows, including IMEX and EIBTM, sales missions, educational trips and a dedicated senior staff member to head up the overall sales and marketing effort.

“Investing in the GBCVB’s international sales and marketing programs affords us an outreach that we could not obtain on our own. This top ranking for Boston and Cambridge confirms that the partnership has worked well for both parties,” said Robyn Bell, executive director of the Cambridge Office for Tourism.

In order for the ICCA to include an international association meeting in its analysis, specific criteria must be met, such as that the congresses are held regularly, rotate among at least three different countries and have at least 50 participants.

“The GBCVB, Cambridge Office for Tourism and our members have all worked as a team to bring international meetings to Boston and Cambridge, and this number-one ranking demonstrates our success,” said Stephanie Pappas, director of international meetings and sports business development at the GBCVB.

For more information, visit www.bostonusa.com.