ICMA's 99th Annual Conference will be located in Boston, the capital of the Commonwealth  It was named Boston by early settlers from Boston, Lincolnshire in England. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region.

The city proper is the 21st largest in the country. Boston is also the anchor of a substantially larger metropolitan area called Greater Boston, home to 4.5 million people and the tenth-largest metropolitan area in the country. 

About New England

Boston is the gateway to New England! The region is made up of six diverse US states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. ICMA's 99th Annual Conference will be held September 21-25, when Fall foliage color starts in the north and works its way south to Massachusetts/Connecticut. New England is one of the most historic and culturally rich regions of the USA. The region was one of the earliest English settlements in the “New World” following the arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers, who set sail from England aboard the Mayflower in 1620 in search of religious freedom. By the late 18th century, the British colonies of New England were amongst the first to demonstrate ambitions of independence from the British Crown; one of the most notable demonstrations was the Boston Tea Party of 1773. The American Revolutionary war broke out shortly after in 1775 and The Declaration of Independence was signed and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. In the 19th Century, New England also played a fundamental role in the movement to abolish slavery.

Just two to three hours north of Boston, you can explore the quaint towns along Maine's coast or experience New Hampshire's rich art-and-culture scene and exciting mountain skiing adventures. Journey back in time, and tour magnificent Gilded Age mansions in the seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island, just 1-1/2 hours southwest of Boston. Two hours southwest of Boston, take part in rafting down the Farmington River and kayaking through the Thimble Islands to following the Connecticut Wine Trail and enjoying coastal cuisine, in Connecticut. In Vermont, you can hike the Green Mountains and explore the Appalachian trail, and visit the covered bridges, spread throughout the state. New England provides endless options for an unforgettable experience.

More about Boston

Perhaps Boston can be best described as a welcome contradiction: Hip alongside historic. Skyscrapers surround parks. Gourmet meets pizza. Just as the city pays homage to every period of America’s timeline, Boston is a wonderful blend of stylish sophistication and historic New England charm. You can easily uncover the city’s past while enjoying its distinctively modern edge.

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and as such, an appropriate location as ICMA looks toward its 100th anniversary. ICMA's President, Bonnie Svreck, and the 2013 Annual Conference Host Committee invite you to the 99th ICMA Annual Conference, September 22-25. We hope to see you in Beantown!

Air travel and Getting Around Boston

Logan International Airport, located in the East Boston neighborhood, handles most of the scheduled passenger service for Boston. Surrounding the city are three major general aviation relievers: Beverly Municipal Airport to the north, Hanscom Field in Bedford, to the west, and Norwood Memorial Airport to the south. T. F. Green Airport serving Providence, Rhode Island, and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, New Hampshire, also provide scheduled passenger service to the Boston area.

A combination of small, safe neighborhoods and an effective public transportation system has helped deem Boston the America’s Walking City.   As for taking an historic tour around the old town, a march along the Freedom Trail will guide you - free of charge - around most of the sites you’ll want to visit.

The city is home to three major convention centers—the Seaport World Trade Center and Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on the South Boston waterfront and the Hynes Convention Center in the Back Bay, the location of the 99th ICMA Annual Conference. 

Boston has something to offer everyone. For more information, please visit the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website at www.bostonusa.com.