Meet Boston Annual Meeting Highlights Boston On A Global Stage

The City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also attended and provided remarks. Photo by Kyle Klein Photography.

Meet Boston held its Annual Meeting recently in Boston, with nearly 400 hoteliers, restaurateurs and attraction/event executives to talk about challenges and victories in the tourism and hospitality space in 2023, and to preview what’s in store for 2024, including a targeted initiative to bring additional travelers from around the world to explore Boston as a compelling culinary destination. The City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also attended and provided remarks.

The event provided an overview of the global initiatives led by Meet Boston this year to bring more international visitors to Boston – this included road shows to New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Amsterdam, Mexico City, and Barcelona. Meet Boston has also been instrumental in enhancing the region’s presence on the global stage via sports tourism and bringing iconic events to the area: namely, the Army-Navy Game slated for December 9 and FIFA World Cup 2026. Meet Boston also provided a recap of the Boston Never Gets Old campaign, with domestic paid and earned media driving hundreds of millions of impressions.

A new initiative for 2024 will be a multi-channel culinary campaign intended to elevate Boston as a culinary destination for travelers, domestically and around the globe. This campaign will showcase vibrant, community-driven cuisine in the 23 Boston neighborhoods, Cambridge, Somerville, and beyond.  And, share the stories of these exciting and diverse communities.

“Boston is a culinary destination that competes with other major cities and while our amazing chefs and restaurants stand on their own, as the destination marketing organization, we at Meet Boston have the platform to amplify this message and share it globally,” said Martha J. Sheridan, Meet Boston President and CEO. “We want travelers to explore more than our history, universities, sports stadiums, and attractions – we want them to plan trips to come here for the food. Our Boston culinary landscape is truly on fire with talent and inspiring cuisine.”

The initiative soft launched at the annual meeting and will continue to grow throughout 2024, ultimately as an overarching effort to elevate the dining scene by spotlighting chefs and neighborhoods where new, innovative culinary experiences are being (and have been) created. A dedicated microsite and media kit will launch in early 2024, featuring food stories, chef blogs, foodie events, and of course an array of digital assets. There are more than 25 current partner restaurants, chefs and restaurant owners who are a part of the initiative, and it is expected to grow.

Other 2023 community initiatives highlighted at the annual meeting – and that will continue to grow and expand in 2024 – included the Workforce Development and Supplier Diversity Initiative.  A partnership with Conan Harris & Associates (CHA), the Workforce Development Initiative empowers individuals from all backgrounds with training opportunities designed to enhance their skillset and employability and learn more about careers within the hospitality industry. The Supplier Diversity Initiative seeks to expand Meet Boston’s network of suppliers to include businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, and other historically marginalized groups.

“These initiatives are not just goals; they’re a commitment to enhancing Boston’s hospitality and tourism industry. Through workforce development, supplier diversity, and a focus on our 23 neighborhoods, we’re building a more inclusive, vibrant, and prosperous city for residents and visitors alike,” said Hilina D. Ajakaiye, Executive Vice President of Meet Boston.

Meet Boston’s newly-launched Partner Academy provides quarterly educational programming and educational workshops for all Meet Boston partners, including topics like how to leverage social media and how to win group business. More topics will be added in 2024.

An active member of the Greater Boston community, Meet Boston has established The Meet Boston Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization designed to support community programming and initiatives that bring tourism to the destination and respective communities.  Community events supported by the foundation include….

Meet Boston also announced the launch of a new podcast: “Boston Found.” Hosted by Martha Sheridan, the first episode has dropped, with General (Ret.) James McConville and Commander Billie Farrell discussing the Army-Navy Game. Other upcoming topics include State of the Tourism Industry, Boston Nightlife, and the Future of Travel, with a variety of special guests. The series will focus on topics of interest to Boston and the tourism industry as a whole and is available at www.meetboston.com/podcast/, as well as on all major podcast platforms.

For more information, visit www.meetboston.com.