The move by the budget committee signals that the House of Representatives understand the significant economic contribution of the Hynes to the City of Boston and the region - an especially critical factor in a time of national and local economic uncertainty. 

"We consider the recent action by the House Ways and Means Committee as a significant point of progress in the continuing discussion of the future of the Hynes," said Gary Saunders, Chairman of the Back Bay Association and Chairman of the Saunders Hotel Group. "House members have sent a loud and clear message to the community of convention and business planners that Boston is indeed open for business." 

According to a number of economic analyses, the Hynes generates net tax revenue to the state of approximately $8 million annually as well as millions of additional dollars in hotel, restaurant, retail and entertainment taxes. Thousands of jobs in the regions hospitality industry rely on business generated by the Hynes Convention Center. 

"We recognize that the proposal is merely one step in the state's budget process," said Pat Moscaritolo, president of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau. "However, we have every confidence that the logic behind the arguments to preserve the Hynes is taking hold and we will continue to work with the legislature and the executive branch of Massachusetts to insure that the final budget includes support for the Hynes". 

The committee's proposal will be subject to review by the full House of Representatives and faces consideration by the Senate before a final budget is determined in July for the next fiscal year. Over the course of the past two months, business and travel industry leaders have asked that state officials take a careful look at the facts including the state of the current national convention market and the role that both the Hynes and the new Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) will play in capturing a portion of the market, before a final decision is made on the future of the Hynes. 

"We have been impressed by the role Jim Rooney has played as the Executive Director of the MCCA and have confidence in his ability to efficiently and effectively manage the Authority," said Art Canter, executive director of the Massachusetts Lodging Association.

"It is our hope that state leaders will recognize the critical importance of the convention and tourism industries to the Commonwealth and give the MCCA the tools it needs to deliver on the promise that conventions mean dollars and jobs for the Massachusetts economy." 

Since 1923, the Boston Back Bay Association has served Boston's Back Bay business and community interest representing 250 organizations including retail merchants, restaurants, hotels, property owners, major corporations, schools and churches. The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau represents over 1200 organizations and is responsible for promoting and marketing Greater Boston as a visitor and meeting destination. 

The Massachusetts Lodging Association, the member state association for the American Hotel & Motel Association, has more than 400 active property members including hotels, motels, resorts, inns and bed and breakfasts representing more than 35,000 rooms. The MCCA operates the John B. Hynes Convention Center and is building the new Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, which is scheduled to open in June 2004.