New Convention Chief Reopens Expansion Debate in Boston

Interim MCCA head John Barros says Boston 'could use more space' for conventions, reviving long-dormant expansion plans.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:07am

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Seventy-two hours into his new role as interim executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, John Barros has already reopened the debate over expanding the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Barros said Boston 'could use more space' for conventions, signaling a willingness to revisit the long-discussed expansion plan that was previously put on hold by former Governor Charlie Baker.

Why it matters

The question of expanding the convention center has been a politically fraught issue in Boston for over a decade, with neighborhood groups, labor unions, and lawmakers opposing past proposals. Barros' comments suggest he is open to reassessing the center's future and the role of the Hynes Convention Center, which has also been a point of contention.

The details

In 2014, the state legislature and then-Governor Deval Patrick authorized the MCCA to borrow up to $1 billion to finance a 1.3 million-square-foot expansion of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. However, former Governor Charlie Baker later put that plan on hold, citing concerns about the center's ability to support the debt. Baker later revived a scaled-back plan that tied the BCEC expansion to the sale of the Hynes Convention Center in the Back Bay, but that approach was dismissed by lawmakers amid opposition from local stakeholders.

  • In 2014, the Legislature and then-Governor Deval Patrick authorized the MCCA to borrow up to $1 billion to finance a 1.3 million-square-foot expansion of the BCEC.
  • Shortly after taking office, former Governor Charlie Baker put the BCEC expansion plan on hold.
  • In 2022, Baker argued that selling the Hynes Convention Center was necessary to help finance a BCEC expansion, but lawmakers dismissed that approach.
  • In 2023, the MCCA board voted to invest $50 million as part of a five-year plan to 'keep the lights on' at the Hynes Convention Center.

The players

John Barros

The newly appointed interim executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.

Deval Patrick

The former Governor of Massachusetts who authorized the MCCA to borrow up to $1 billion to finance the BCEC expansion in 2014.

Charlie Baker

The former Governor of Massachusetts who put the BCEC expansion plan on hold and later revived a scaled-back plan tied to the sale of the Hynes Convention Center.

Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)

The agency that oversees the Menino Convention and Exhibition Center, the Hynes Convention Center, the MassMutual Center in Springfield, and other convention and tourism assets in Massachusetts.

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC)

The convention center in Boston, recently renamed the Menino Convention and Exhibition Center, that was the focus of the proposed expansion plan.

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What they’re saying

“As far as I know, we could use more space, right? And so I look forward to further looking into that, further understanding that, having conversations with the team at the MCCA and others about how we strengthen the MCCA so that we can do more in Boston, grow our economy and have more impact.”

— John Barros, Interim Executive Director, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (Banker & Tradesman)

“The Hynes is a really important space in Boston. So really important space in our convention portfolio. It is really important that we look at that in terms of demand and the MCCA's ability to host different conventions, and then to talk to the local stakeholders, right? Whether it's the hotel and hospitality industry, small businesses in that area and together, continue to figure out how we make it work for the local economic or tourism ecosystem.”

— John Barros, Interim Executive Director, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (Banker & Tradesman)

What’s next

The MCCA board and the Healey administration will work with Barros to chart a longer-term course for the agency and its convention centers, including potentially revisiting the expansion plans for the Menino Convention and Exhibition Center.

The takeaway

Barros' willingness to reopen the debate over convention center expansion in Boston signals a shift from the previous administration's approach, which had largely put the issue on hold. This could reignite a long-running and politically contentious discussion about the future of the city's convention and tourism infrastructure.