New Conf. Center Caters To Small, Midsize Groups

<H1> New Conf. Center Caters To Small, Midsize Groups</H1>By Frank Rosci

<I>Boston </I>- The summer opening of a new downtown conference center for small and midsized meetings should raise the corporate profile of New England's premier business destination and complement its existing convention center.

The Exchange Center, which opened June 25, is located directly on Boston's historic waterfront, opposite Logan International Airport and adjacent to the World Trade Center Boston-the city's main convention center. The facility also is accessible by water taxi from downtown.

As part of the World Trade Center system, the Exchange will share meeting services with the larger facility, according to Stephen Tocco, executive director and CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority.

The Exchange Center features 11 meeting rooms accommodating up to 15 people, plus a larger room that can hold 100.

"With the unveiling of this new facility, Boston joins cities like Rotterdam, London and Seattle in creating a focal point where corporations shopping for new homes or new markets can learn about Boston and the region, and see firsthand what Boston has to offer," Tocco said. "It provides small corporate groups a complete, convenient and dynamic venue for business meetings."

Since its opening, the Center has hosted 45 meetings representing between 25 and 30 firms. A spokesman for Exchange Center said September bookings reflect at least one meeting per business day.

So far, feedback has been positive. "Our experience there was just great," said Gerry Grey, an executive assistant who in August brought a group from Los Angeles-based Creative Computers. "We had continuous meetings all day in connection with the MacWorld Expo at the World Trade Center. They have put a lot of thought into the Exchange building-especially the meeting rooms, which are totally private."

Meetings volume is expected to get another boost from the Delta Shuttle, which is forming a vendor relationship with the World Trade Center to offer a meetings venue for its business travelers at the Exchange Center.

"Because of its location so close to the airport, it's ideal for passengers who don't want to travel 45 minutes to downtown Boston and perfect for those who may have difficulty finding a suitable location quickly on short notice," said Helen O'Dell, manager of airport customer service and shuttle programs for Delta.

Delta passengers interested in booking small meetings at the Exchange would simply call an 800 number-which hasn't been determined yet-that would plug them directly into the reservations system at the World Trade Center.

Built in 1915, the original structure housed the New England Fish Exchange, the oldest daily fish auction on the East Coast. Two years ago, the building was on the verge of collapsing into Boston Harbor. But $7 million later (and nearly $300,000 under budget), after eight months of construction that began in the fall of 1995, the facility was restored by Massport, owner and operator of Logan airport and the Port of Boston.

The Center's complete package of sophisticated meeting amenities includes projection, video, multimedia and computer-generated capabilities. Other features include audio and videoconferencing, channels for audiovisual feeds to camera crews and satellite trucks, a second channel system for simultaneous translation, surround sound, voice reinforcement, a sound system for the hearing impaired and audiovisual basics such as flip charts. The facility also offers event planning and on-site catering.