With more than 2.27 million square feet the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center are among the most sought-after expo spaces in the northeastern U.S. IFMA Member Jimmy Chaudry is part of a team that ensures that both venues function for their current tenants while being ready for the next event and the crowds they bring.

Tell us about yourself and how you got into FM.

My introduction to FM was through public safety and security. I majored in criminal justice with the hope of pursuing a career in law enforcement. I took a job as a public safety manager of events at the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and my career path quickly changed. I learned a great deal about the facility and the overall operation. So, when the opportunity presented itself to become an FM, I took it.

Facility Picture 1What is day-to-day life like at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center? 

There are about 400 employees and more than 500 contractors on any given day working out of the facility. We host upwards of 300 events every year between our two convention centers: The John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center and The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC). My day-to-day role is divided into three categories: building Image, customer service and supervision/training.

Every day at the convention center is different. That is the best part of being an FM. Every day you learn something new on the job. I keep a running notebook titled “What I’ve Learned Today.” I have a daily alarm set for 4:45 p.m. that prompts me to write down a few things from the workday.

Facility Picture 2What kinds of unique challenges do you face managing BECE?

The size of the facility is what makes the Boston Convention Center unique as it is among the largest exhibition centers in the Northeastern United States. A space of this magnitude requires a lot of attention to detail. It takes a team to manage repairs, maintenance and building improvements. The facility’s interior and exterior physical appearance is very important in my role. For clients looking to host their events in Boston at the convention center, appearance might be the determining factor. It is my responsibility to make sure the team is paying attention to every single detail, and that can sometimes be a challenge.   

How much space do you manage and how is it used?

Our venue hosts conferences and conventions. We have approximately 2.1 million square feet of space with a glass-lined interior. The BCEC is at the forefront of the meeting industry providing industry-leading technology, and service to ensure remarkable events. The 40,020-square-foot grand ballroom overlooks the Boston Seaport, offering breathtaking views. We also manage 516,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space and 82 meeting rooms.

Tell us about your FM team.

Our team is amazing, comprised of some of the hardest working people I have had the pleasure to be around. We are the heartbeat of the convention center. We are responsible for keeping the building up and running. You cannot host events in a facility if it is not functional. I am fortunate to work with a group of individuals who have been in the facility management industry for decades. Every day I am able to learn from them. Our team is made up of

  • chief of operations and capital projects

  • manager of capital program

  • energy and sustainability manager

  • facility managers

  • project managers

  • electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, building management systems technicians

  • cleaners and setup crew

  • loading dock managers

Facility Picture 3What is the biggest FM challenge you have faced and how did you find a solution?

My biggest challenge is making sure the facility is always ready for every event that comes through our doors, regardless of the turnaround time. Some weeks, time is not always on our side. One week, we may host a convention where 30,000 people occupy the facility for four straight days and few days later we need to have the facility ready to host a different conference. I often tell people, “Imagine being a teenager and throwing a huge party at your parents’ house while they are gone for the weekend and having to get the place back in order before they get back home.” That is how it feels some weeks. Making sure we meet every client’s expectation is our goal, but it also can present challenges. Every week we collaborate with new clients and tenants. Some weeks there are multiple events in the facility with unique needs and expectations. The challenge some weeks is making sure each event gets equal attention regardless of size or contracted space. The way we accomplish this is through constant communication and buy-in from everyone. Providing a strong, presentable and clean facility is imperative for every customer-facing organization. You only get one chance at a first impression. Providing a healthy, functional environment improves the experience for both the employees and guests. The quality of their well-being, productivity and performance is a direct result of the work we do as FMs.

What are some challenges you face that are common across the FM industry?

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected our industry. It made us reevaluate the cleanliness of our environment and focus on creating a healthier facility. We looked at the guest experience through a different lens, figuring out how to get people back attending conferences and events safely, comfortably. That was not a small task, and it took more than FM to figure this out. It took a collaboration of every single department. Finding more ways to improve building cleanliness was at the top of the priority list. Cleaning and sanitation became more important than ever. Maintenance and mitigation of health and safety risks is now at the forefront of every single facility operations discussion across the FM industry.

My Facility 2What do you like best about what you do?

I love the challenge of problem solving. Every day I get the opportunity to gain experience that helps in my development as an FM. The convention center is a fast-paced environment with a hundred moving pieces. For some it can be overwhelming but for many it can be exciting. I often joke with my coworkers that I never have bad days here; there are some character-building days, but never any bad ones! I love the daily grind and the constant learning FM forces on you. You touch every single department, and every day you learn interesting things on the job that you would not necessarily learn in a course. This past month I’ve learned so much about flowers and trees working with our new landscaping contractor. Working at a convention center, you meet people from all walks of life, from all over the world. Getting their feedback is always particularly important in helping us make improvements to the facility.

I love the ability I am given in my role to be creative. Whether it is my input on furniture, carpet or art installations, I feel empowered by my team to make impactful decisions around the facility. The last few months I have helped bring some new ideas to our outdoor event space that also serves as a public park in Boston Seaport. The Lawn on D is an innovative and dynamic outdoor event space in the heart of the thriving Waterfront District. This year we added pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports in the last three years, to the Lawn on D. I really enjoyed working on that with the team. Watching the public enjoy the environment we created is extremely gratifying. That is one of the best parts of my job: seeing the fruits of your labor.