The MassBioHub: Meeting Members’ Evolving Needs During the Pandemic and into the Future

Dec 07, 2021

By Suzanne Curran, Senior Manager, Workplace Operations and Hub Management

Since the MassBioHub first opened in July 2020, we’ve been working with all kinds of events, from fully virtual to fully in-person and everything in between. Our flexible facilities have allowed us to work with members to tailor events to fit their requirements, whether it’s virtual event support or holding events in-person effectively and safely. In partnership with our members, we’ve had the chance to explore the creative ways the space can be used for all kinds of meetings.

In the middle of the pandemic, the space was mainly used for virtual and hybrid meetings. We partnered with a production company to execute our virtual events and they helped with livestreaming, direction, flow of event, Q&A facilitation, rehearsals, graphics, and much more. For hybrid events, we were able to turn the meeting space into a mock “production studio,” giving members a professional backdrop for their event and conveying a high-end look and feel by broadcasting their event live from the MassBioHub. We also began hosting small in-person events for members who were beginning to feel more comfortable meeting face-to-face by creating social distancing room setups, increasing our cleaning procedures, and ensuring all members follow the state and local guidelines for masks. 

Since many COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in June, we have seen a significant surge of interest in the Hub, mainly geared towards in-person events. We’ve hosted board meetings, training seminars, networking events, receptions, team-building sessions, to name a few. Our package pricing is inclusive of all room rental fees, catering, and audio visual and priced at 30-40% below market rates exclusively for MassBio members. 

Here’s what members have said about hosting their event in the Hub:

“It was such a pleasure to finally get together for a responsible and COVID-compliant in-person meeting, and it was no surprise that the MassBioHub fully delivered on providing a safe and accommodating space for us to reconnect as colleagues… as a Hub user we were able to conduct our hybrid event using their top-notch audio and video equipment, duplicating the seamless and enjoyable experience for our virtual attendees.”

ThermoFisher Scientific

“The Boston Biotechnology Summit is an annual, international event established in 2017. Our focus this year was COVID-19 and our challenge was to hold the summit virtually. The outcome was an excellent event with attendees registered from throughout the world. The Boston Biotechnology Summit completely met its goals and the feedback was outstanding.”

Boston Biotechnology Summit Organizing Team

“The team was instrumental in helping us determine a meeting experience for our in-person and virtual attendees that enabled a social interaction and content sharing solution that leveraged the conference center’s A/V with outside collaboration technology.”

Axcella Team

The MassBioHub is a new, modern, sleek facility that offers just under 10,000 sq. ft of meeting space in the heart of Kendall Square. This state-of the-art facility has adaptable spaces, extensive audio-visual equipment, and the ability to host a variety of meetings.

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