Transportation

General FAQs

Accessibility

Other?

 

What is the address of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC)?
The BCEC is located at 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210. 

 

How do I get to the BCEC?
The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center is accessible from the Broad Institute via MBTA bus and Red/Silver Line T. 

Public Transportation
Download the Transit app (for Android and iPhone) to track MBTA buses via GPS.

Red/Silver Line T
To the Convention Center: Walk to the Kendall/MIT MBTA stop towards Ashmont/Braintree. Ride the Red Line 4 stops to South Station. Walk to the Silver Line following the South Station signage. Board the SL2 or SL3 Silver Line to Chelsea. Ride the Silver Line 2 stops to Courthouse. The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is 0.2 mi (4-minute walk) from the Courthouse stop. 

From the Convention Center: Walk 0.2 mi (4-minute walk) to the Courthouse Silver Line stop. Take the SL2 or SL3 to South Station. Transfer to the Red Line at South Station headed towards Alewife and ride 4 stops to Kendall Square.  

 

Are there bike racks available?
Yes, there will be bike racks available outside of the main entrance on Summer Street. 

 

Is there a shuttle bus from Broad?
Yes, there will be shuttle buses. On both Retreat days, shuttle buses will pick up from the Broad Institute [Merkin Building - 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA] beginning at 7:30 am. Shuttle service will stagger until 10:30 am to the BCEC in the Seaport.

Return trips start at 4:00 pm from the BCEC back to the Broad Institute until 7:00 pm. 

 

Will I need to register ahead of time?
Yes, please register before Monday, December 16 so there is not a delay with gaining access to the program at BCEC. Those that wait and register the day of the Retreat will experience a significant delay between registering and entering the talks, which means you will most likely miss portions of the schedule you were hoping to attend. 

 

How do I determine the correct registrant type? Am I a Broad employee? Am I a member of an Affiliate Faculty, Associate or Institute Member's lab? Do I fall into another category?
During the registration process, after entering your Broad or participating institution email address, you'll be asked to select a registrant type. For example, "I am a member of an Institute Member, Associate Member, or Affiliate Faculty's lab from a Broad participating institution and am not a Visiting Scientist." Next to each of these statements you'll find a "More Info" link that gives a definition. Please take the time to select the most appropriate registrant type to ensure you'll gain access to the Broad Retreat. 

 

Is there WiFi?
Yes. Attendees may connect to the BCEC Wireless network. No password is required. Go to “Settings” on your mobile device, select the “Wi-Fi” option and click on “BCEC Wireless Network.” Once you connect, you will be directed to the Massachusetts Convention Center (MCAA) splash page, where you will need to hit "Continue" and accept the terms and conditions for WiFi access. 

 

Will the talks be live streamed or recorded?
The talks will not be livestreamed or recorded this year.

 

When are the breakout sessions?
Breakout sessions will be available on both days of the retreat and run for an hour. Exact timing TBD. 

 

Where are the posters?
Poster sessions are held in Exhibit Hall B1 on the 1st floor. 

 

When are scientific and ad posters due?
All posters are due by Wednesday, October 23 by 5:00 pm. 

 

I work in Administration. Should I be attending the retreat?
YES! The retreat is an excellent way to get an overview of science happening across Broad, while having the opportunity to partake in admin-specific parallel sessions, breakouts, posters, as well as social activities with the rest of the community. It is highly encouraged that you register and take the time to attend! 

 

I have a new hire that would like to attend the retreat. Can they register if they've yet to set up an email account?
New hires who do not yet have a Broad email address may register by emailing retreat@broadinstitute.org with their first and last name, program/platform/group, and supervisor's name. 

 

What accommodations will be provided during the Retreat?

We strive to create a Retreat that is inclusive and accessible, and that enables all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To this end, the Retreat offers the following accommodations:

* Please email Joana Quintal at retreat@broadinstitute.org to coordinate this accommodation or if any other accommodation is needed. 

 

Where can I charge my phone/computer?
In the foyer outside the ballroom, at either end of the 2nd floor hallway, and in Exhibit Hall B1. Additionally, there are outlets along the walls in the breakout rooms.

 

Is there a Lactation Room onsite?
Yes. The Lactation Room is located in Room 204A on the second floor of the BCEC. The room, which offers private areas for three users and is equipped with a chair, table, refrigerator, wipes, and internet service, is available by appointment only. Please email retreat@broad to reserve a 30-minute appointment. You will need to bring your own equipment and supplies and are free to store them in the Lactation Room. 

*Please note that special accommodations may be made for individuals with a medical need for a private space. In these cases, the individual will be given access to the Lactation Room, but they will need to reserve the room as usual. 

 

Will there be accommodations for food allergies/special requests?
If you require a certified kosher meal, vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free option, please indicate this during registration. Meals at the retreat will also take into account common food allergies (e.g., peanuts and shellfish). 

 

What assistance for caregivers is Broad providing?
BroadLife has a number of childcare benefits that benefits-eligible Broadies can take advantage of during the Retreat, including reserving subsidized back-up care days through Care.com or Bright Horizons. Additional caregiving resources can be found in the BroadLife parent resource guide. 

 

What sustainability measures are there at the Retreat? 
The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center minimizes power consumption through sensor-controlled utilities, high-efficiency lighting, and operations strategies. They are committed to using green cleaning products, sourcing local food and beverages, composting food waste, and increasing diversion rates year after year. To read more about the BCEC’s Green Building Practices, please visit their website.

Levy, our food service provider, has sustainability initiatives prioritizing responsible sourcing, requiring vendors to provide products within a 450-mile radius. To minimize food waste, their WasteNot 2.0 system monitors and tracks waste, diverting scraps to compost recycling in Watertown. Leftover food is donated to organizations like Food for Free, Pine Street Inn, and Rescuing Leftover Cuisine. Additionally, they contribute to landfill reduction through the use of biodegradable/compostable products. 

We, too, encourage attendees to bring their own mugs and water bottles. 

Broad Retreat