Page 12 - PCCA-Year-In-Review

A “NEW DAY” AT 28
THE PENNSYLVANIA The number of new shows and
CONVENTION CENTER conventions booked at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center
O ur goal is to fulfill the promise of the Center since modernized work rules and
as a regional economic driver for the countless expanded exhibitor rights went
local businesses in our hospitality industry and the into effect in May 2014.
tens of thousands of individuals they employ.
$
Customer feedback and declining bookings led
the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority’s 562,228
(PCCA) Board of Directors to proactively establish
a four-point plan of professionalizing management The total number of hotel room
operations; improving the Center’s labor-supply nights that will be filled in Center
model; modernizing work rules; and ensuring billing City Philadelphia by these 28 new
transparency for customers. shows and conventions.

A major turning point for the Center occurred in
December 2013 when the PCCA hired industry-
leader SMG as the facility’s manager. Then, in May
2014, new work rules and expanded exhibitor rights
went into effect with the agreement of the facility’s
four trade union partners. These improvements
established a core labor workforce and provided
customers with more independence and flexibility
to set up their own booths, unload personal
vehicles, use power tools, and install non-rented A/V
equipment.

SMG set out to complement the PCCA’s existing
team of professionals by hiring several industry
veterans and importing best practices from around
the country. These actions were necessary to
refocus the team’s efforts and win back customers.
Furthermore, these advancements to the business
model helped bring the Center back to the forefront
of the meetings industry. They also made it easier
for the SMG sales force, which handles short-term
sales of less than 18 months, and the Philadelphia
Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), which
handles long-term sales, to have greater success.

The turnaround at the Center and its future success
can be attributed to key partnerships with the
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the
hoteliers, SMG, PHLCVB, and the trade unions. All
are working together toward the common goal of
supporting the 170,000-member strong regional
hospitality community. We look forward to having an
even greater economic impact in the years to come.

It’s a new day in Philadelphia. #NewDayPHL

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