Multicultural conventions, such as the recent Delta's convention, are taking center stage this year. Photo by Bill Foster.

Multicultural conventions are taking center stage at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) this year and the spotlight will shine at its brightest in September. That's when an in-demand repeat customer and influential African American group pours into the building as the largest-attended convention of the year.

An incredible 30,000 members of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. will fill the convention center for five days from September 3-7, pumping $40 million into the local economy (as projected by the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.).

"When you have a multicultural convention as your largest attended convention of the year, it symbolizes an important sign of the times," said PCC COO Dittie Guise. "The multicultural market is a highly lucrative one and we are taking full advantage of every opportunity to capture it."

In 2007 alone, multicultural convention business at the Convention Center will exceed $54 million. Past ethnically diverse groups include the National Urban League, the NAACP, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the National Council of La Raza.

Consistently in active pursuit of the multicultural convention dollar, the PCC hosts many multicultural groups each year and executes a range of programs targeting the market. In its joint sales kit with the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) for example, the Convention Center offers visual and printed presentations of the city's rich multicultural heritage – an initiative the building has extended to other programs.

The Convention Center's Web site, www.paconvention.com, regularly spotlights Chinatown, the building's immediate neighbor, and promotes the variety of ethnically diverse organizations holding events at the Convention Center. Media buys are visible in Black Meetings and Tourism, Pathfinders, and Hispanic Meetings and Travel magazines, and locally in The Philadelphia Tribune. And the Convention Center's ongoing collaboration with the Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the PCVB, has enabled it to tap into a wide variety of multicultural convention business.

In 2006, the PCC was the home of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's national convention (pictured above). Photo by Bill Foster.

"Philadelphia has had the benefit of hosting many of the most prestigious, influential, and economically substantial multicultural conventions in the country," said Tanya Hall, executive director, MAC, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year as the nation’s leader in multicultural hospitality. "The economic windfall of hosting multicultural conventions is tremendous."

The Convention Center has invested more than $10 million to ensure that the region’s multicultural community participates in that windfall. The PCC provides financial resources to Philadelphia OIC, the Philadelphia Academies, Inc. and Mercy Vocational High School to train students and the underemployed to take advantage of jobs at many levels in the hospitality field. And with expansion, this program will only continue to grow.

As the mercury outside continues to rise, the atmosphere inside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) is also embracing notable changes.

Dittie Guise, Chief Operating Officer

In May, Thomas "Buck" Riley was appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. Buck Riley is well suited as an advocate for the PCC and its customers, and will skillfully guide us through one of the most exciting times in the PCC’s history – the $700 million expansion of the Convention Center. The PCC just received final budget approval from the Pennsylvania State Legislature and Governor, which leads to the next change on our landscape, the demolition of the existing buildings on the expansion site.

On another front, as much as we look forward to change, we also like some things to stay the same. Thanks to the relationship between the sales teams of the PCC and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), along with the Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the PCVB, the Convention Center is gearing up to welcome back some old friends. This issue’s cover story focuses on how the PCC, working in tandem with MAC, continues to do business with diverse organizations.

In this issue, we are highlighting Old City, one of our neighbors to the east. Old City offers a host of galleries and restaurants for convention guests to experience a memorable piece of our great city.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center family "Thanks you" for your continued support, and wishes you a happy and safe summer.

As a regular feature, the PCC and PCVB staff will provide tips to make the customer experience better and more cost-effective. In this issue:

PCVB Convention Services Answers Some Commonly Asked Questions

• Where can I obtain a Philadelphia regional calendar of events?
• Visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site at www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel and click on Calendar of Events.
• How do I organize a "Fun Run" for my organization?
• Contact the Fairmount Park Commission at (215) 685-0060.
• How do I obtain a letter of support, or a proclamation, from the Mayor of Philadelphia or the Governor of Pennsylvania?
• Mail your request to the following offices at least six months in advance:

  Office of the Governor Proclamation and Greetings 225 Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 787-5825

  Office of the Mayor Room 215- City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 686-3987

• How can I obtain registration staffing for my meeting or conference?
• Visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site at www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel and click on "Plan Your Meeting." Visit the "City Logistics" section under "At Your Service" for a list of staffing firms with contact information.

Janice Telstar

PCVB's Janice Telstar

Janice Telstar, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau's (PCVB) Assistant Director of Convention Services, works closely with both corporate and association meeting planners to coordinate every aspect of their conventions, from preliminary site inspections to on-site assistance.

While working in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years, Telstar has served as President for the Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) in 2005, was named Successful Meetings magazine's Convention Services Manager of the Year Award, and also received the Diamond Award of Excellence by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Known for her creative solutions to everyday client needs, Telstar has seen and experienced it at the PCVB since 1986.

"Janice is committed to Philadelphia and to every customer and visitor she meets," said Tom Muldoon, President of the PCVB. "Her enthusiasm for the job at hand is contagious and meeting planners continuously comment on how their jobs were made easier thanks to Janice."

This year, the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) and Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) sales teams combined their strengths and resources to hit the road to meet and greet customers in the mid-west, and along the Northeastern corridor. Their travels took them to Chicago, IL, Niagara Falls, NY, and Washington, D.C.

Springtime in the Park in Washington, D.C.

Niagara Falls waterscape provided a refreshing backdrop to the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners' Spring Conference. The PCC and PCVB conducted business and networked with industry peers to promote Philadelphia and the Convention Center.

Recently, the PCC joined with the PCVB team again at Springtime in the Park (see photo), sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives, where they touted the benefits of hosting a meeting, convention or special event in the region. There were more than 400 visitors to the booth—and already 10 requests for proposal.

In tandem with the PCVB's invitation to bring business to Philadelphia, the PCC continues its branding efforts. Tradeshow banners feature the iconic Liberty Bell and a myriad of attractions, and travel trade print advertisements continue to carry creative messages. And closer to Center City is the "Bring It Home" campaign, which asks local business leaders to consider Philadelphia first for their meetings and events. These marketing materials underscore the exciting efforts our integrated team presents to decision makers locally and nationally as they consider booking Philadelphia for their next event.

To download sales brochures and view new ads, visit www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel and click on Plan a Meeting.

Aramark SFS staff sporting new uniforms.

Beginning this month, Aramark SFS, one of the two largest contractors working within the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC), will be sporting a new look. As part of its overall branding, Aramark SFS will wear new uniforms that also include the PCC logo.

More than 300 employees will don the new uniforms. ARAMARK SFS Retail Foods outlet staff will wear black chef coats with black pants and aprons. ARAMARK SFS catering, bar and support staff will sport a new look, including blue oxford shirts with black pants and vest.

"We encourage our guests to approach any staff member for assistance, and this new look reinforces the inclusion of Aramark SFS as professional members of the Pennsylvania Convention Center community," said PCC COO Dittie Guise.

As witnessed with the successful hosting of the international BIO 2005 convention, the Philadelphia region is a current and future leader in life sciences research, biological development and manufacturing, pharmaceutical commercialization, and renowned health care. In addition, one-third of all meetings and conventions held in Philadelphia are life science-related. All of these key areas, as well as solid tri-state partnerships, make this region a global life sciences destination. To capture this momentum and recognition, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) launched the Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Congress this spring.

The Congress serves as a connector to bridge our region’s assets with national and international meeting planners by building meeting and convention attendance through access with academic institutions, hospitals systems, research labs, biotechnology firms, and the pharmaceutical industry; by networking with the region’s top industry experts for speaking engagements and business opportunities; and by navigating convention, city, and regional planning logistics, and much more.

The newly formed board consists of life sciences leaders such as Ceplalon, Inc.; BioRexis™ Pharmaceutical Corporation; Shire; AstraZeneca International; University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Wyeth; and more.

A PCVB staff member is dedicated to connecting planners with our region’s life science leaders, which will not only help our customers, but will also increase the perception of Philadelphia as the life sciences hub that it is. To learn more about the Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Congress, and to download a copy of the new brochure, click on the Life Sciences button at www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel.

Sincerely,

Jack Ferguson
Vice President, Convention Division
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
jackf@pcvb.org

Philadelphia's Old City

Located within our country's most historic square mile, Philadelphia's Old City is an easy walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Old City neighborhood is small enough to be seen during a brief walking tour, but interesting enough to spend several days exploring its many cultural and architectural gems.

Gallery attendees at First Friday in Old City. Photo by George Feder.

Over the past two decades, Old City has transformed into an active cultural, dining, and shopping district, and one of the city's most appealing residential neighborhoods. A thriving arts community took root through the influx of galleries, cultural non-profit organizations, theaters, museums, and design showrooms. Old City Arts Association launched "First Fridays," held each month, where an open house atmosphere brings together city dwellers, suburbanites and visitors, contemporary arts and antique collectors, aficionados of classical and contemporary design, and theater and performance buffs.

The restoration and conversion of historic industrial structures into large residential buildings has also coincided with the arrival of an eclectic mix of boutiques, shops, and restaurants.

CityIn fact, Andrew Nelson from National Geographic Traveler magazine called Old City, "the liveliest urban neighborhood between SoHo in New York, and SoBe in Miami."

For more information about Old City, visit www.oldcityarts.org or call (215) 625-9200.

Thomas "Buck" Riley, PCC Chairman.

Thomas "Buck" Riley, elected as the new Chairman of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Board in May, replaces Michael Nutter who resigned in April to focus on his run for Mayor of Philadelphia. Riley, who has served as Vice Chairman of the Convention Center Board since 2003, is focused on efforts to make the Convention Center a premier international convention destination and to collaborate with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the expansion of the Center.

"This building is an economic generator, and job creator and sustainer. The expansion project is one of the most important investments for both Pennsylvania and Philadelphia," Riley said. "The responsibility of our board is to ensure that the building is competitive on a national scale, so that customers from across the country, and in our own backyard, want to do business here. This generates a meaningful positive impact for the people of this region."

"Buck's election as Chairman is such positive news for this building and our customers, especially in the midst of the multi-year expansion project," said PCC CEO Al Mezzaroba. "Buck has been a dynamic and active member of the Board as Vice Chairman, so he can seamlessly continue to work with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to lead the Convention Center Board and staff through the expansion."

Riley is Chairman and founder of the largest law firm in Chester County, the Paoli-based firm of Riley, Riper, Hollin & Colagreco, and has litigated in virtually every area of law spanning four decades. Under his leadership, the firm has built a strong reputation in the areas of litigation, land-use, and real estate with additional strengths in business law and estate planning.