Boston, MA – Security was ramped up at Boston’s two convention centers Friday as the manhunt for the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing appeared to be reaching a climax. Jim Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, issued a written statement outlining the activities taking place at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.
Statement from Jim Rooney, Executive Director,
Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
“The ‘shelter in place’ order remains in effect in the city of Boston, including the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Memorial Convention Center. In compliance with that order, we are offering the following information regarding ongoing and planned activities at the BCEC and the Hynes. We are grateful for your patience in these unusual circumstances and wish that we could offer more certain information and direction with regard to activities planned for later today and over the weekend. That is simply not possible at this time, so the best we can do is offer ongoing, frequent instructions and tactical information throughout this ‘shelter in place’order. All of our decisions during this incident will be made in the interest of public safety, and we are aware that this may cause inconvenience and event disruption.
General Information Related to Event Activity in Boston
“Logan International Airport is open, and flights are currently able to land and take off as scheduled. Taxi service has been restored, and attendees and exhibitors arriving for any of our events should be able to access hotels via taxi, but should expect delays due to heavy security presence throughout the city.
“Hotels across the city are open and honoring reservations. Once attendees and exhibitors reach their hotels, they are encouraged to stay there until further notice.
“Attendees and exhibitors already in our facilities should stay and continue with scheduled activities. Attendees en route to the buildings for scheduled events will be allowed access, but should be prepared for vigorous security screening. Attendees, exhibitors, employees of the MCCA and employees of contractors not already en route to our facilities should not attempt to come to the Hynes or the BCEC until we have further information.
Specific Information About Scheduled Events
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Activity
“Experimental Biology 2013 Annual Meeting:Move-in activities continue with contracted labor staff and MCCA employees who were already in place prior to the ‘shelter in place’ order. For now, registration planned to open at the BCEC at 1 p.m. is delayed. Attendees should not come to the BCEC to register until further notice. Registration at satellite hotels including the Renaissance Boston Waterfront and the Westin Boston Waterfront hotels will be open. Experimental Biology attendees and exhibitors should stay in their hotels until we have more information. We are hopeful that events scheduled for this evening will go on as planned, and we will update as soon as we have more information.
Hynes Convention Center Activity
Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s (ASCA) Annual Meeting
“We are continuing with ASCA activities as planned for attendees and exhibitors who were already in the building. Attendees not already en route to the building should stay where they are and not attempt to travel to the Hynes until further notice. We are hopeful that events scheduled for this evening will go on as planned, and we will update as soon as we have more information. Labor calls scheduled at the Hynes for move-out of ASCA are temporarily suspended. Contractor labor and staff already in the building and move-in, move-out activity already started will be allowed to continue. Labor scheduled to arrive later in the day should watch for further updates.
Boston Comic Con
“We are hopeful that the event will open tomorrow as scheduled, and we will update as soon as we have more information. Labor calls scheduled for move-in of The Boston Comic Con are temporarily delayed. Contractor labor and staff already in the building and move-in activity already started will be allowed to continue. Exhibitors and labor scheduled to arrive later in the day should watch for further updates.”
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A Tradition at Comic Con Impacted
The Boston Comic Con yesterday asked that no one bring any “real or prop weapons” to the upcoming event, and suggested that attendees not bring bags or backpacks into the convention center. Organizers also advised attendees to refrain from wearing masks — a hallmark of Comic Con events — outside the convention center.
