PHLCVB Secures $1.2 Billion in Future Conventions; Celebrates SMG Selection and Increase in International Visitor Spending

At the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau's ( PHLCVB) Annual Luncheon held recently at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Mayor Michael A. Nutter joined Jack Ferguson, PHLCVB President & CEO in highlighting the organization's accomplishments of the past year, which included celebrating the one year anniversary of the Global Messaging Project and 'PHL' marketing initiative launched by the PHLCVB in 2012; securing $1.2 billion in future conventions and contributing to a 43 percent increase in international visitor spending to Philadelphia over the previous year.

The 'PHL Effect'-themed event, attended by 1,200 hospitality industry leaders, looked at how global partners, the City of Philadelphia, local organizations and individuals have embraced 'PHL' over the past year, helping Philadelphia's global message resonate even further. The marketing effort launched last year on a minimal budget, is geared toward increasing international visitation, conventions and global business opportunities for the City.

The event was also an opportunity to highlight SMG, the new facility managers at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Ferguson reiterated the importance of the new partnership with SMG led by Bob McClintock, COO of the Convention Center Division, and Lorenz Hassenstein, the new GM at the Pennsylvania Convention Center under the leadership of Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) Chairman Greg Fox.

"On the convention front, we are counting on SMG, the Convention Center staff and board, along with the talented workforce in the Center to deliver a new level of service for our customers, so that we can book and re-book meetings, conventions and tradeshows that will grow demand and increase jobs," acknowledged Ferguson. "From an international perspective, we will continue to work with the City, Airport, Select Greater Philadelphia, the Chamber and our other global partners to attract all types of business here while building the city's image around the world."

Ferguson made two announcements, including the re-launch of the Bring it Home campaign ( discoverPHL.com/BringItHome), aimed at encouraging local business leaders to bring, or keep, more meetings and conventions in the Philadelphia area and an invitation to join the 'PHL' movement by becoming a PHL Partner - the growing group of 75 Philadelphia businesses, organizations and individuals committed to communicating PHL messaging in their business channels - at PHLpartners.com  

Among the highlights of 2013 announced today:

·The PHLCVB secured 735,000 hotel room nights for future years, which brings future totals to 3 million room nights and $4.3 billion in economic impact for Philadelphia. The PHLCVB and PCCA team attended 48 tradeshows, sales missions and customer events in FY 2013.

·Philadelphia welcomed 595,000 international visitors in calendar year 2012, attended 34 international and domestic tradeshows and participated in 5 international sales missions in FY 2013. Spending by international visitors in Philadelphia increased 43% over calendar year 2011.

·The Army-Navy Game presented by USAA (50,000 weekend visitors and economic impact of $35 - $40 million) will close the year out. Philadelphia will also host the Army-Navy Game again in 2015 and 2017.

The PHLCVB also released its Annual Report which highlighted plans for 2014, including:

·Working with SMG to create a measurable customer service program that promotes transparency, guides meeting planners, show contractors and vendors through the contracting process and creates a positive convention experience, to increase the level of repeat business at the PCC.

·Expanding the message of the PHL Effect across the globe, to help fill the expanded convention center, showcase Philadelphia as a world-class destination and capture the growing international market, expected to increase 23 percent by 2016.