Northeast / Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA Here For The Making of Great Meetings
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ost a record-breaking meeting or convention in Philadelphia, Travel Magazine’s Top Hotel City in 2014. With world-class restaurants, more than 11,000 hotel rooms ranging from concept boutiques to world-renowned brands, extraordinary attractions and great shopping, Philadelphia is a modern renaissance city rich in history, culture, innovation and vibrant neighborhoods full of character. The list of all Philadelphia has to offer within a compact, walkable downtown is as long as its history. The birthplace of America, Philadelphia is a visionary city with an entrepreneurial spirit. Between its historic blocks and skyscrapers, a modern Renaissance is taking place. The city’s eclectic and impressive dining scene has garnered global attention from Iron Chefs, Top Chefs, and James Beard award-winners, while festivals like The Roots Picnic, Wawa Welcome America, and Jay-Z’s Made in America amplify its appeal. From renowned cultural institutions, including the Barnes Foundation and Philadelphia Museum of Art, to its extensive public art collection including more than 3,600 murals, there’s more to discover in Philadelphia than cheesesteaks! Add in one of the country’s premier facilities, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and an award-winning team at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) and it’s easy to see why so many regard Philadelphia as the perfect location for a tradeshow or convention. Planning and facilitating your event in Philadelphia will be a breeze with the PHLCVB’s three congresses, PHLSports, PHLLife and PHLDiversity, there to help planners increase attendance and grow sponsorship opportunities. Each Congress works seamlessly with the PHLCVB and Convention Center staffs to provide access to industry experts, and connect conventions with offsite networks, venues and regional attractions. The PHLCVB also assists with services like customized microsites, interactive floor plans, targeted e-marketing campaigns, local PR assistance and delegate discounts to raise attendance without raising expenses. Exhibit Facilities The expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center, now managed by SMG, is the 14th largest in the nation and has the capacity to host larger tradeshows or two conventions simultaneously. The expanded center features one million sq. ft. of saleable space and the largest contiguous exhibit space in the Northeast — 528,000 sq. ft. The Convention Center also boasts the largest ballroom on the East Coast — 55,408 sq. ft., and 79 meeting rooms and a soaring Grand Hall that lives in a historic train shed.
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In May 2014, the Pennsylvania Convention Center and four trade labor unions signed a new agreement that modernizes the Center’s work rules and provides expanded exhibitor rights, giving convention groups more independence and flexibility and creating a more efficient show floor. Exhibitors may now set up and tear down within 600 sq. ft. of their booth, something which previously could not be done at the building. They can also look forward to unloading personally owned vehicles using their own equipment, including dollies, luggage carriers, non-hydraulic carts, and two-to-four wheel hand trucks. Since these changes were implemented in May, the National Association of Black MBAs (NBMBAA), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have all signed on to take their meetings to Philadelphia, citing the improved work rules and expanded exhibitor rights. Getting There Philadelphia’s central location, within a day’s drive of 40 percent of the U.S. population, makes getting there easy and affordable. Amtrak’s 30th Street Station is one of the busiest hubs in the nation and Philadelphia International Airport is serviced by 30 airlines providing flights to 124 domestic cities and 38 international destinations. For more information on booking your next meeting in Philadelphia, contact: Julie Coker Graham, Executive Vice President Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau P: (215) 636-4470 Email: juliec@discoverPHL.com www.MeetPHL.com Stephanie Boyd, Director, Sales & Marketing & Convention Services Pennsylvania Convention Center P: (215) 418-4759 sboyd@paconvention.com www.paconvention.com Facilities & Destinations 2015 Superbook