Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau 2006 Annual Meeting Celebrates the Region's Groundbreaking Achievements & Future Milestones

Business Wire, Nov 27, 2006

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) hosted more than 1,300 attendees at its 38th Annual Luncheon last Wednesday - the largest hospitality event of the year - at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. During the event, PCVB President Tom Muldoon, Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association President John Kroll, Pennsylvania Convention Center Chairman Michael Nutter, and Mayor John Street reiterated the importance of expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, among other new developments in the hospitality industry.

The theme for this year's luncheon, "A Groundbreaking Event," focused on all of the literal and figurative groundbreaking events happening in the city and region. From the opening of the Comcast Center in 2007, to an innovative campaign to bring more conventions to Philadelphia, to multicultural initiatives, to tapping new markets such as international sporting events, Philadelphia is set for future success. The centerpiece of Philadelphia's groundbreaking efforts is the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Once complete, Philadelphia will be able to host more conventions annually and larger tradeshows that have outgrown the existing building. Equally important, the project will have a positive impact on the regional community, including creating at least 2,000 new jobs, as well as further development along North Broad Street.

"Whether in the convention, tourism, multicultural or sports markets, we are constantly finding new ways to make our region better by repackaging, refining and refreshing our product offerings and the way we communicate them," said Muldoon. "As a result, we are continuing to stay ahead of the curve, and more and more, Philadelphia is being recognized and labeled as a groundbreaking destination."

In addition to the speakers, those in attendance included: Deputy Secretary Tourism J. Mickey Rowley, members of City Council, other state and city officials, and the region's hotels, corporations, restaurants, attractions, shops, entertainment, transportation, and performing arts venues - all connected to the hospitality industry.

Kroll, president of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA), and the PCVB's and Multicultural Affairs Congress's Second Vice Chair, gave an update on the hotel industry for 2006 stating that occupancy has been at a strong 74.5 percent for nine months with a 9 percent increase in average daily rate, and revenue per room is up $5 from 2005. Kroll also spoke on how Philadelphia's regional tourism promotion agencies are continuing to work together to get the word out about our destination and maximize resources.

Nutter, chairman of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA), gave a status report on expansion and spoke about the importance of the project in terms of jobs for the people of the city and region, and a commitment to creating a new front door to North Broad Street.

Attendees also saw the debut of Virtual Philadelphia, a joint project of the PCVB, Center City District, and GeoSim Systems that will go live in mid-2007 making it possible for visitors, residents and business people to fly, drive or walk through Center City from their desktop. A sample virtual tour is available on www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel.

Prior to the luncheon, the PCVB held its Annual Meeting of the Membership and elected its 2007 Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. In December, the Executive Committee will appoint the members of the full board who will serve a one-year term from December 2006 to December 2007.

Sponsors of the PCVB's 2006 Annual Luncheon included: The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, Center City District, Saul Ewing, LLP, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, Comcast Corporation, Philadelphia International Airport, ARAMARK, Ravenswood Wine, Global Events Partners Philadelphia, Aqua America, Paul Dry Books, Affairs to be Remembered, Advanced Staging, Innovation Event Production, 20/10 Design, Taggart Printing, and US Airways.

Note to media: Photos from the event and a list of the 2007 PCVB Executive Committee are available by calling 215-636-3316.

About the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Who we are: The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), 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.

Our mission: To generate economic impact and job growth by increasing the region's hotel occupancy and revenues, while concurrently affecting other diverse segments of the hospitality industry. To do whatever it takes to attract ethnically diverse regional, national and international convention and tourism customers through creative sales, marketing and communications efforts. To deliver exceptional service and experiences for all, ensuring repeat business across market segments. To increase the quality of life for all our citizens, stakeholders, and visitors by supporting the region's vibrant arts and entertainment, historic, cultural, retail, restaurant, and sports venues.