Exhibitor guide · Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts
Hynes Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
176,480 square feet of exhibit space in the heart of Back Bay, a building that has changed its name twice and been substantially rebuilt once, and two connected hotels that put attendees a few steps from the show floor. What exhibitors need to know at Boston's Back Bay venue.
Hynes · 900 Boylston StHero photo: "Hynes Convention Center" by euthman, CC BY-SA 2.0, share-alike, via Flickr. Source
Why this page exists
The building on this site has had three identities: War Memorial Auditorium from 1965, renamed the John B. Hynes Civic Auditorium in 1970 to honor the mayor behind Boston's "New Boston" redevelopment plan, then demolished and rebuilt in its current form in 1988 by architects Kallmann, McKinnell & Wood as the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. For exhibitors, the practical upside of the Back Bay location is that two major hotels, the Sheraton Boston and the Boston Marriott Copley Place, connect directly to the building, putting a huge room block a few steps from the show floor. This guide covers the exhibit space, Massachusetts' labor rules, drayage, and the Back Bay neighborhood.
The building
The exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibit halls | 176,480 sq ft. | Mid-size national trade shows, association conventions | Confirm current hall configuration. |
| Meeting rooms and ballrooms | Distributed across three levels. | Breakouts, general sessions | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from Signature Boston's published Hynes Convention Center overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
The same Boston union jurisdiction applies as at the BCEC: Teamsters Local 25 for material handling, IBEW Local 103 for electrical, and Carpenters Local 327 for exhibit construction above standard heights. Exhibitor self-setup is limited to defined tasks below set size and height limits.
Limited self-setup only
Confirm exact self-setup limits with your show's official contractor.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Hynes shows.
History
Three names since 1965
The building opens as the War Memorial Auditorium in Boston's Back Bay.
It's renamed the John B. Hynes Civic Auditorium, honoring the mayor behind Boston's "New Boston" urban redevelopment plan.
The original building is replaced by a new structure designed by Kallmann, McKinnell & Wood, reopening as the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the name it still carries.
Free tool
Hynes drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Logan International is about 15–20 minutes.
- By transit: the Hynes Convention Center Green Line stop is at the building.
- Connected: the Sheraton Boston and Boston Marriott Copley Place both link directly.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Northeast crews for Back Bay installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Boston, Boston Marriott Copley Place | Connected | Direct indoor access to the exhibit floor. |
| Back Bay-area hotels | Walking distance | Wide range of price points near the Green Line. |
Questions
Hynes Convention Center FAQ
Why has this building had different names?
It opened as War Memorial Auditorium in 1965, was renamed for Mayor John B. Hynes in 1970, and was rebuilt in its current form in 1988, keeping the Hynes name.
Which hotels connect directly to the Hynes?
The Sheraton Boston and the Boston Marriott Copley Place both connect via indoor walkways.
Can I set up my own booth?
Only for limited tasks below defined size and height limits, the same Boston union jurisdiction as the BCEC.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $190 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How much exhibit space is there?
176,480 square feet.
When was the building rebuilt?
1988, when the 1965 War Memorial Auditorium was rebuilt and renamed the Hynes Convention Center.
Exhibiting at the Hynes?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a union-labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.