As a Prelude to National Tourism Week, Mayor Michael Nutter and Ben Franklin Joined Members of the Hospitality and Business Communities for a Lively Discussion About the Importance of Meetings to the City
The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) hosted a meeting in the Courtyard of City Hall today, focusing on the vital role meetings and events have in Philadelphia and their impact on the region’s 88,000 industry workers. A lively discussion took place between front-line employees, including a doorman, bell captain, reservations manager, concierge, and a chef alongside Mayor Michael Nutter, PCVB President Tom Muldoon, and other industry leaders.
This event was held in anticipation of National Tourism Week, May 9-17, and in support of the U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings Mean Business campaign. The campaign is focused on reversing the AIG effect and protecting the millions of jobs that depend on business travel and meetings.
Facilitated by Ben Franklin (portrayed by Ralph Archbold), 16 faces of the hospitality industry gathered at an outdoor meeting setting and discussed how Meetings Mean Business to their organizations and personal lives.
“Meetings and conventions connect national and international business people with Philadelphia; decision makers who may consider bringing their own business here or doing business here,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “Plus, nearly 90,000 people from every neighborhood in the region work in this industry. That is why it is critical that we continue to talk about the benefits of the meetings industry to Philadelphia.”
Annually, meetings and conventions generate billions in economic impact for the Philadelphia region through meetings and group-related events, as visitors spend money in the local economy and generate tax revenue.
“Meetings are an integral part of Philadelphia. Each year, people visiting for meetings are the largest contributor to filling hotel rooms in Philadelphia at an average of 40%,” said Tom Muldoon, president, PCVB. “Today’s objective was to raise the awareness of the significance of meetings and events to the City.”
Philadelphia, home of the nation’s first convention in 1774, is all about meetings. The City is equipped to support any size meeting or convention, from 10 to 30,000 attendees. Additionally, Center City offers more than 10,000 hotel rooms, and the PCVB’s “Serious Value for Serious Times” campaign features dozens of complete meeting packages to meet any budget or need.
To meet the growing needs of the convention industry, the Pennsylvania Convention Center is in the midst of a major expansion. Upon completion, slated for early 2011, the Convention Center will be able to host major tradeshows or two conventions simultaneously.
“The citizens of Philadelphia, and everyone in our region, have such a wonderful opportunity to continue our illustrious tradition of great meetings,” said Franklin. “America was founded on the ability to gather and meet and the freedom to do so. This concept is what makes our country unique.”
Hospitality and business members who participated in the event were: Mayor Michael Nutter; Tom Muldoon, president, PCVB; Vince Albeser, doorman, Four Seasons Hotel; Julie Coker, general manager, Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing; Anthony D’Andrea, bell captain, Loews Philadelphia Hotel; Christine Duffy, CEO, Maritz Travel Company; Ed Grose, executive director, Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association; Albert Lee, head concierge, Independence Visitor Center; Laura Linton, COO, National Constitution Center; Michael Lyons, president & CEO, GEP Philly; Ben Franklin, moderator; Tom Morr, president & CEO, Select Greater Philadelphia; Romona Riscoe Benson, president & CEO, The African American Museum in Philadelphia; Paul Steinke, general manager, Reading Terminal Market; Jason Stockdale, reservations manager, Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing; Delilah Winder, Philadelphia chef; Ellen Yin, owner, Fork restaurant; and Ahmeenah Young, president & CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Click here to view photos of the event.
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The PCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has departments dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.
For more information on the Meetings Mean Business campaign visit www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com/
Contacts:
PCVB
Liz Sullivan, 215-636-3412
lizs@pcvb.org