The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau (MBVB) will be holding their Annual Tourism Summit and Legislative Breakfast, entitled “The World Is Coming: Preparing for Visitors, Impact & Opportunity”, on February 26 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the newly renovated and rebranded Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center.
 |
| Stacey David, Executive Director, MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau |
The event is open to everyone, and will include a travel and hospitality industry update, both at the regional level delivered by MBVB Executive Director Stacey David, as well as at the state level, given by Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox.
Additional speakers include Kerrie Tripp from Discover New England, who will update on the expectations for international travelers for World Cup, and Senator Becca Rausch, who will speak about the power of arts, culture, and the creative economy to drive tourism and uplift our communities.
The second half of the program will include an update on World Cup expectations for the area, including plans for a MetroWest Regional Fan Zone in multiple communities, as well as a panel discussion on creating pop-up businesses in your town for economic development, both to capitalize on World Cup travelers and year-round.
The event will end with optional tours of the newly renovated and rebranded Renaissance hotel (formerly the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center). All businesses in MetroWest and the surrounding communities are invited to attend, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, non-profit arts & culture organizations, retailers, town administrators, and more. Registration is required.
AGENDA:
Stacey David
Executive Director, MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
Stacey will give a year in review on MetroWest, including visitor data and a recap of last year’s MBVB marketing results, followed by this year’s plans for promoting MetroWest to various market segments, including World Cup travelers…and how you can benefit.
Senator Becca Rausch
Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex District
Senator Rausch will speak about the power of arts, culture, and the creative economy to drive tourism and uplift our communities.
Kate Fox
Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
An update on the domestic and international destination marketing strategies underway at the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, plus stats and data on MA’s visitors.
Kerrie Tripp
Director of Products & Sales, Discover New England
Kerrie will offer insight into international traveler profiles, trends, and predictions, and the best ways to capture World Cup and other international tourists, including how to work with receptive tour operators.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is Coming!
Learn about Boston World Cup’s plans and predictions regarding travelers for World Cup, hear about MetroWest’s plans for fan zones and watch parties, and how you can get involved for this worldwide event that will bring 2 million visitors and $1B of economic impact to Massachusetts.
Panel: How Pop Ups Drive Economic Development
Learn about the benefits and logistics of creating pop ups in your town for economic development. Lindsey Jaworek of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation will talk about their permanent seasonal pop up shops. Beth Reynolds, Assistant Town Manager in Ashland, will discuss how Ashland uses pop ups at events to drive foot traffic and enhance special events. Cory Shea, Franklin's Director of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy, will share how to revitalize downtowns by creating pop up shops in empty storefronts. We will also explore how pop ups allow local artists and retailers to launch new businesses with minimal investment, and how you can create these opportunities in your community in time for World Cup visitors.
Hotel Tour
Join GM David Laurent and his team on a tour of the newly renovated and rebranded Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic development through travel and tourism throughout the 19 towns of the MetroWest region: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westborough. For more information, please visit the MBVB website at www.metrowestvisitors.org.
