NSTA | National Science Teaching Association 2027

The Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center (MCEC) — formerly known as the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and renamed in July 2025 to honor former Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino — is among the largest exhibition centers in the Northeastern United States. It is situated in Boston's Seaport District near the South Boston waterfront.

Key facility features:

• 516,000 sq ft of adaptable, contiguous, nearly column-free exhibit space
• 86 flexible meeting rooms that can be combined and configured in multiple ways
• 40,020-sq-ft column-free ballroom
• Auditorium seating 4,000+
• Free Wi-Fi throughout, with more network bandwidth than any other U.S. convention center
• Industry-leading digital displays and multiple customizable registration and function spaces
• 62-bay loading dock with 5 elephant doors and an indoor staging area for faster setup and teardown
• 2 private ring roads separating exhibitor and attendee traffic
• LEED Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council
• Located just 8 minutes from Logan International Airport — the shortest airport-to-convention-center travel time in the country

The MCEC South Lot provides approximately 1,300 parking spaces for daily attendee parking.

Rates:

• $35/day for regular-sized vehicles
• $70/day for oversized vehicles

Parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To reach the South Lot, turn from Summer Street onto East Side Drive, drive past the valet area, continue to the end of the building, turn right, and follow the ramp down.

If the South Lot reaches capacity, overflow parking may be available at the Boston Marine Industrial Park (BMIP) Garage or nearby waterfront surface lots, all within walking distance of the MCEC. Offsite parking is not guaranteed and is not managed by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA). Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation when possible.

By Air: Fly into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), just 8 minutes from the MCEC — the shortest airport-to-convention-center travel time in the country.

• Taxi: Available at Terminals A, B, C, and E.
• Lyft/Uber: Terminal A (Door A102), Terminal B-1 (Door B104), Terminal B-2 (Door B113), Terminal C (Door C106), Terminal E (Door E105).
• Water Taxi: Take the Route 66 On-Airport Shuttle to the Water Transportation Dock, then connect via water taxi to the World Trade Center waterfront area near the venue.

By Public Transit (MBTA): Take the Silver Line SL1 to World Trade Center Station, then take the elevator up to Level 2 of the MCEC — the most direct and convenient transit option from downtown or the airport.

By Rail or Bus: South Station (serving Amtrak and regional bus carriers) is approximately a 15-minute walk from the MCEC.

By Car: The MCEC is accessible via I-90 (Exit 25, "South Boston") or I-93 (Exit 23, "Purchase Street"), with signage directing drivers to Summer Street and the venue entrance.

AANA has negotiated discounted room block rates at the following hotels. After registering, attendees receive a confirmation email with details on how to book within the block.

• Westin Boston Seaport District (Headquarters Hotel) — 425 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210. Directly adjacent to the MCEC on Summer Street.
• Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport — 450 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210. Located across the street from the MCEC, with covered access to the convention center.
• Aloft by Marriott, Boston Seaport District — 401-403 D Street, Boston, MA 02210. A short walk from the MCEC within the Seaport District.

All three properties are within the immediate Seaport neighborhood, steps from the convention center, Boston Harbor, and the historic Fort Point District.