Yankee ends on a strong note.

After talking to several manufacturers and dealers at the Yankee the verdict is that it was a much better meeting than the 2009 Yankee. More traffic, better sales...an improving venue.

South Boston is starting to grow around the new convention center. There is the Westin next door and the Renaissance across the street. Each has its own bars and restaurants. Some new restaurants have recently sprung up in South Boston and there were several new buildings being constructed near the convention center.

The convention center area of South Boston still has a long way to catch up to the shopping, restaurants, hotels and nightlife that Copley Place offers, but 2010 was a big improvement over 2009. Hopefully 2011 will see continued growth in attendance at the meeting, growth in selling opportunities and growth in South Boston's amenities.