Conventions in Boson are exhausting. You’re on your feet for 8-10 hours, navigating massive convention halls or packed technical sessions, networking over expensive lunches, and trying to make dinner plans that don’t feel like just another obligation. After doing the convention circuit for years, I’ve developed a playbook that keeps your energy up, helps you network effectively, and lets you experience a convention city (in this case Boston) instead of just surviving it. Here’s how to get it done.
6 AM – 8 AM: Start Before the Convention Does
The best decision I make for convention travel is starting my day before the exhibit hall opens. Boston has excellent early morning options for walking and working out that set you up for success.
Seaport area (BCEC): Hit the Harborwalk for a 20-30 minute walk. It’s flat, scenic, and clears your head before a day of fluorescent lighting. Alternatively, most Seaport hotels have solid fitness centers. Use them. Equinox Seaport offers day passes if your hotel gym is less than stellar.
Back Bay (Hynes): The Charles River Esplanade is a 10-minute walk (or less) from most Back Bay hotels. Run or walk along the river before the convention starts. You’ll see actual Bostonians, not just other conference attendees.
For breakfast, skip the hotel restaurant. Flour Bakery (multiple locations) opens at 7 AM with genuinely good coffee and food you can grab quickly. Tatte Bakery is another solid option with locations across the city. Get something portable, so you can eat while checking email or sitting outside. It beats sitting in a hotel restaurant for 45 minutes.
Energy management tip: Invest in comfortable dress shoes or anti-fatigue insoles. Boston is a highly walkable city, and you’ll be on your feet a lot. Plus, convention center concrete floors can destroy your feet and tank your energy by 2 PM. Your feet and joints will thank you at the end of the day.
8 AM – 1 PM: The Main Event
You made it to the convention, but here’s what most people get wrong: they go in without a plan and try to do everything. Don’t make this mistake. Take 15 minutes and pick 2-3 sessions that actually matter to your work. Spend time in the exhibit hall when it’s not mobbed (this means right when it opens or mid-morning).
Boston Convention & Exposition Center-specific advice: The convention center is enormous, but charging stations are limited. Carry a lightweight portable charger to ensure your battery survives a full day of networking, scanning QR codes, and checking maps.
Bonus tip: the Starbucks on the first floor gets slammed between 9-11 AM. Hit it before 8:30 AM or after 11:00 AM to avoid the crowd.
Lunch is when everyone descends on the same handful of BCEC options. Instead of following the crowd, walk 10 minutes to the Seaport proper. Legal Sea Foods in the Seaport (yes, it’s touristy, but it’s fast), Committee for Greek food, or Sweetgreen are all solid options in walking distance. You’ll spend the same amount of time but actually enjoy the food.
If you’re at Hynes Convention Center, you’re in luck. It’s attached to the Prudential Center and there are a ton of restaurant options there, or step outside and eat at one of the many fast casual or local restaurants on Newbury or Boylston.
Hydration matters: Bring a reusable water bottle. Boston venues have an abundance of water stations, and conventions are notorious for causing dehydration. You’re talking constantly, walking a lot, and coffee is a diuretic. Fill a bottle at water fountains instead of buying $4 water bottles every two hours. I’m partial to Owala stainless steel bottles, and if you want to be extra prepared, get a crossbody water bottle/phone/wallet combo.
1 PM – 6 PM: The Networking Grind
Afternoon sessions are where the exhaustion hits. Your feet hurt, you’ve shaken 47 hands, and you have three more hours of programming. Here’s how to push through:
Take strategic breaks. The BCEC has a waterfront terrace (ground level, near the Lawn on D). Step outside for 10 minutes. The Hynes has a Prudential Center connection—walk through the mall, get fresh air, and reset. Don’t power through without a short break every hour or so.
Stay on top of business cards. Here’s my personal workflow: I carry a pen and a simple business card holder, and I jot down a note on their card to help me remember what we discussed. Trust me, you won’t remember each person by the second day of the convention! Some people take a photo of business cards immediately, but I forget people’s personal details when I do that. I’m the person who collects 50 cards and can’t remember who’s who by day’s end. So, take notes on cards while conversations are fresh. You’ll thank yourself later.
Energy emergency kit: You’re going to get hangry at some point, and you don’t want to feel lightheaded or cranky (or spend $14 for a snack). Keep protein bars or nuts in your bag. I take a box with me on my carry-on bag, or stop at a local grocery store. If you’re at Hynes, there’s a Star Market on the next block and a Trader Joe’s across the street. Convention snacks are sugar crashes waiting to happen. I recently tried Neuro caffeine gum and it gave me a gentle boost during my 3 PM slump. Your mileage may vary.
Foot relief: If you’re staying at a nearby hotel, consider going back to your room between 4-5 PM if there’s a gap in your schedule. We already discussed anti-fatigue insoles, but fifteen minutes off your feet does a world of good if you’ve got evening networking events and dinners planned. Spend 20-30 minutes in compression socks and elevate your feet to give your legs a boost before evening networking.
6 PM – 10 PM: Evening Networking (Without Burnout)
This is where Boston business travel gets interesting. Evening networking is important, but you don’t have to do the official convention dinner. There are plenty of places where you can get an authentic Boston experience while connecting with fellow attendees.
Better networking strategy: Suggest alternative spots to colleagues or clients. Row 34 (Seaport) is great for oysters and beer, Trade (also Seaport) for Mediterranean fare, or Yvonne’s (Downtown) for something more upscale. These places feel like Boston, not Generic Convention City.
For solo travelers, sit at the bar. Boston bar culture is friendly. You’ll end up talking to locals or other business travelers. Legal Harborside (third floor) has an excellent bar scene with harbor views.
When you’re done networking: Your hotel room will be calling, but you’ll probably be too wired to sleep. It’s the nature of business travel. I keep a full-spectrum magnesium supplement and warming sleep masks in my travel kit specifically for convention travel. Hotel rooms are never dark enough, and your brain is overstimulated from 12 hours of interaction. Take some time to wind down each night.
Tomorrow prep: Set out your clothes, charge everything overnight with a multi-port charging station, and set your alarm. Convention fatigue is real. Take time each night to make sure you’re prepped so tomorrow morning is easier.
The Secret to Boston Convention Survival
Your convention playbook isn’t about doing more. It’s about being strategic with your energy so you can do what matters. Set yourself up for meaningful networking, learn something genuinely useful, and experience Boston beyond convention center walls. Pace yourself, take real breaks, and remember to take some time for yourself in this beautiful city.
Work Travel Getaways 