Philadelphia is one of the most sought-after meeting destinations in the world. Over the last two and half years, the city has successfully hosted Pope Francis and the World Meeting of Families Congress, the Democratic National Convention and, coming soon, the NFL Draft (April 2017). Located in the heart of downtown Philadelphia is the grand LEED-certified Pennsylvania Convention Center. The SMG-managed center is the 14th largest free-standing facility in the nation and has the capacity to host larger trade shows or two conventions simultaneously. The property features one million square feet of saleable space and the largest contiguous exhibit space in the Northeast—528,000 square feet. The center also boasts the largest ballroom on the East Coast—55,408 square feet—and 82 meeting rooms.
One of the most compact housing packages in the country can also be found in Philadelphia. With more than 10,000 hotel rooms within a 15-minute walk of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, your attendees will love that their only transportation costs are a pair of comfortable shoes. Currently under construction is a 755-room, 780,000-square-foot W and Element Hotel by Westin. Plans are also underway for an Aloft Hotel by Starwood with direct access to the main entrance lobby of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Full of cultural masterpieces, Philadelphia also embraces its creative side—from museums to outdoor art galleries, there is so much to discover. Museum Mile begins near the western entrance of the Convention Center providing access to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Philadelphia’s thriving culinary scene, which draws from many diverse influences, is one of the destination’s most highly-rated qualities. The city is known for its cheesesteaks, but at the Reading Terminal Market, located across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, visitors can find an unparalleled variety of international and local cuisine, including Pennsylvania Dutch specialties and authentic soul food.
Getting to Philadelphia is just as easy as getting around in the city. A sophisticated regional rail and subway network links the Philadelphia International Airport—with 30 airlines and nearly 550 daily departures to 126 cities, including 39 international destinations—to Amtrak’s 30th Street Station, the Convention Center and downtown Philadelphia.
Blending historic appeal with modern amenities, Philadelphia’s compact and walkable downtown is the perfect location for your next meeting. To start planning your event in Philadelphia, visit DiscoverPHL.com/meet.
