The 516,000-sf center struggled with cost overruns and a dearth of bookings as it began to come online in one of the country's worst economies in years. As of nearly two years ago, the center only had 11 definite bookings for ten years out but in its most recent announcement the MCCA says it now has 40 definite events, eight contracts pending and 75 tentative events scheduled through 2010.

The Westin Hotel, which is next door to the convention center and considered vital to its success, was stymied by a lack of financing but the hotel's developer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and its local partners, recently announced that they have secured financing for the hotel. It will open in 2006, a year later than the convention center, but possibly in time for this event.

"To host a huge show like this is great for building our reputation in the industry," says Gloria C. Larson, chairman of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA emphasizes that this is the type of event for which the center was built and which the MCCA's marketing and sales efforts target.