Page 18 - PCCA-Year-In-Review

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
CHOOSES PHILADELPHIA

In November, the American Heart Association (AHA) announced
its selection of the Pennsylvania Convention Center for its
2019 Annual Meeting, which is projected to generate more
than $68.3 million in regional economic impact and fill 51,000
hotel room nights. Due to its prestige, size, and economic
impact, AHA’s annual meeting is one of the most highly sought
after events in the meeting industry.

“The city has always had the important pieces of the puzzle needed to be a world-class convention city, and
with the changes at the Convention Center under SMG, our choice was easy,” said Jason Ware, AHA Director of
Meetings, Office of Science Operations.“Great things are happening in Philadelphia and AHA is thrilled to be
a part of this momentum.”

2014 PHLCVB ANNUAL LUNCHEON

The PHLCVB Annual Luncheon, the region’s
largest networking event for hospitality
industry professionals, returned to the
Pennsylvania Convention Center in November.
More than 1,200 people gathered for the
celebration of successful international
marketing efforts and positive changes at the
Center. Among the 2014 milestones were
the American Heart Association’s booking
announcement; the securing of $350 million
in future convention business; a partnership
with National Geographic to publish a
Philadelphia guide in eight languages; and the
launch of PHLCVB’s joint attraction campaign –
“PHL: Here for the Making.”

CENTER HOSTS TOWNHALL WITH CUSTOMERS

The Pennsylvania Convention Center, SMG, and PHLCVB Pictured, left to right, are Julie Coker Graham of the
hosted a live townhall meeting and webinar for PHLCVB, John McNichol of the Center, and Lorenz
customers, exhibitors, and show managers in September Hassenstein of SMG.
2014. More than 300 customers and leaders in the
meetings industry participated in the live event,
which enabled the Center’s leadership to interact with
customers and answer questions about improvements
at the Center related to SMG, show labor, streamlined
jurisdictions, work rules, and exhibitor rights. John
McNichol, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania
Convention Center Authority, and Lorenz Hassenstein,
General Manager of the Center for SMG, fielded live
questions from customers at the townhall. The event
was moderated by Julie Coker Graham, Executive Vice
President of the PHLCVB, and Pam Ballinger, Senior
Director of Meetings & Exhibits for the American
Association for Cancer Research.

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