For the 61st Annual ICA Conference, the International Communication Association heads to Boston, Massachusetts-one of the oldest and most significant cities in the history of the United States. What began as a vast and unknown wilderness refuge for a group of Puritans has, nearly 400 years later, grown into a city of 590,000 residents, representing the junction of a nation's birth and a progressive future.
For our ICA conference attendees, Boston provides an exciting and diverse city to explore. From the Boston Harbor to Fenway Park-home of the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise-to the posh stores lining Newbury Street, there's something for everyone.
ICA's official conference hotel, the Westin Waterfront Boston, is located just 3 miles away from Logan International Airport in the neighborhood of South Boston. Once a predominately conservative, working-class Irish-Catholic enclave known for its community pride, South Boston is an increasingly popular choice for young professionals and families. With new museums, restaurants, and hotels springing up each month, South Boston is one of the most promising neighborhoods in the city.
From the Westin Waterfront Hotel, several easy transportation options are available, including Boston's subway system, known as the T, as well as taxis and buses. However, getting around the city is best done on foot. The downtown area is compact and walking tours are extremely popular, particularly the Freedom Trail-a 2.5 mile brick pathway that leads visitors to 16 historical sites, the majority of which are free of charge. Trolley tours, guided tours, and free downloadable IPod walking tours are also available for interested parties.
Over the next several months, the ICA Newsletter and Conference Newsletter will feature in-depth articles on the places to go and the things to do in Boston. We'll clue you in on the best places to go for a bowl of New England's delectable clam chowder or a slice of Boston Cream pie, as well as upcoming games to catch at Fenway park, and the best restaurants and bars to visit with friends and colleagues. We'll discuss the vibrant Boston environs, from Cambridge, home to two of the US's most prestigious universities-Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-to the brownstones and cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill.
In the meantime, the Paper Submission and Management Site is up and running and we encourage you to start the submission process early and dodge any last minute technical problems. Should any questions arise, please contact the ICA staff at conference@icahdq.org.
We look forward to welcoming you to Boston this May! Make sure to stay tuned for more information on how to make the most out of your time in Boston.
The 61st Annual ICA Conference starts Thursday, 26 May and ends Monday, 30 May 2011. For the full call for papers, visit http://www.icahdq.org/conferences/2011/2011CFP.pdf.
