Philadelphia, PA

Key Highlights

Hotels 387
Total Sleeping Rooms 49,033
Committable Sleeping Rooms* 1,408
Committable Meeting Rooms* 79
Largest Exhibit Space 700,000 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom 55,408 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate USD $139
Average Daily Meal Cost USD $66
Average Weekly Car Rental USD $240
*Maximum for a single hotel
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Philadelphia, PA Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to our Philadelphia meeting planning guide – a city guide for Philadelphia meeting planning. Philadelphia is a world-class city with a remarkable blend of historic charm and modern glamor. The city has undergone a tremendous makeover in the past few decades, resulting in increased tourism and a well-earned reputation for a spectacular urban experience. Among the city's momentous happenings in 2012 was the world-renowned Barnes Foundation (which features one of the great collections of Impressionist art) arriving at its new Benjamin Franklin Parkway address. The new Barnes Foundation location features 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, adding even more allure to the list of event spaces for Philadelphia meeting planning.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center's existing 1.3 million (and growing) square feet of saleable space is home to 528,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and a 55,400-square-foot convention center ballroom. The center boasts sophisticated space with a historic feel; its elegant interior is marked by the beautiful Grand Hall, housed in the center's historic Reading Terminal train shed, the world's oldest surviving single-span arched train shed. The center also offers more than 8,000 hotel rooms within a 15-minute walk, and more than 10,000 hotel rooms are located throughout the entire Center City region.

Downtown Philadelphia meeting hotels are on the rise: Since 2009, Philadelphia has seen the opening of the 230-room Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar, the 202-room Le Meridien, and the 92-room Four Points by Sheraton; as well as breaking ground on the 136-room Homewood Suites University City and the 270-room Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco. In 2013, a 246-room Hilton Home 2 Suites is expected to debut directly across the street from the convention center, with 2,000 square feet of meetings space. Also by 2013, Philadelphia expects to have 1,175 new guest rooms in downtown, more than halfway to a goal of 2,000 new rooms set in the convention center’s expansion project.

Philadelphia's extensive transportation system makes it easy for guests to travel to and around the city via subway, bus and rail lines, which have stops at the convention center and numerous other points of interest around town. The convention center and downtown sites are also just 15 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, an ever-expanding, internationally - recognized airport that serves more than 30 million passengers each year.

As home to numerous historic landmarks and attractions, it's no challenge to find great unique Philadelphia event venues that give guests a true taste of the city's rich history and culture. The National Constitution Center, a stunning 160,000-square-foot museum dedicated to the ideals of the U.S. Constitution, features an unparalleled view of Independence Hall and is an ideal location for private events. The light-filled, 13,000-square-foot Liberty Bell Center, home of the famous Liberty Bell, is also a beautiful, one-of-a-kind space.

Philadelphia serves as the headquarters for several high profile corporations, including Comcast, Lincoln Financial Group, Sunoco and Amtrak. A center for higher education, Philadelphia is also home to numerous colleges and universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Temple University and LaSalle University, among others. In fact, Philadelphia's academic institutions award 54,000 degrees annually.

Philadelphia, PA Area Destinations

Bensalem, PA Bensalem, PA Bucks County, PA Bucks County, PA Center City Philadelphia, PA Center City Philadelphia, PA Cherry Hill, PA Cherry Hill, PA
Horsham, PA Horsham, PA King of Prussia, PA King of Prussia, PA Old City Philadelphia, PA Old City Philadelphia, PA

About Philadelphia, PA / Additional Info

Located on the eastern border of Pennsylvania at the meeting of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, Philadelphia is about two hours south of New York and three hours north of Washington, DC. In fact, approximately 40 percent of the U.S. population is within a day's drive of Philadelphia. The 2nd largest city on the East Coast, behind New York, Philadelphia attracts more than 400,000 international visitors per year.

Founded in 1682 by the English Quaker William Penn, Philadelphia experienced rapid growth in the 18th century to become the 2nd largest English-speaking city in the world, behind London. The social and geographical center of the original 13 colonies, Philadelphia served as the nation's capital from 1791 to 1800, and it is well-known as the birthplace of many American Revolution era ideals that still serve as the backbone of American democracy today.

Philadelphia's rich history is reflected in many of its monuments and attractions, both well-known iconic sites such as the Liberty Bell and lesser-known gems such as Reading Terminal Market. Reminders of our nation's birth are found at nearly every corner of the city. Visit the Independence National Historical Park, known as "America's most historic square mile," which features the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Check out other Philadelphia must-sees including the Betsy Ross House, regarded as the site where the first American flag was sewn, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the 3rd largest art museum in the country.

Philadelphia enjoys an extremely diverse population, representing large Irish, Italian, Jamaican, Hispanic, African American, Asian American and Polish populations. The city's diverse populace is reflected in global cuisines and neighborhoods, such as the Italian Market in South Philadelphia and Chinatown. Stops for dim sum at Pod or ceviche at Cuba Libre are musts for guests looking to experience Philadelphia's unexpectedly eclectic mix of cuisine. In addition to its fine dining and international fare, no trip to Philadelphia is complete without the satisfying flavor of the original Philadelphia cheesesteak, invented in 1930 and long-time symbol of the city.

From a proud historical heritage to open celebration of its diverse population, Philadelphia is undeniably the City of Brotherly Love. The city has experienced great revitalization in the recent decades, effectively marketing itself as a tourist destination and better maintaining and improving its older historical attractions nestled among the city's new gleaming skyscrapers.

Manufacturing and distribution have traditionally served as the mainstay of Philadelphia's economy. However, over the past few decades, Philadelphia has diversified into the areas of information and service-based business. Tourism plays a major role in the city's economy as well, as do educational and health institutions. More than 150,000 students attend college in Philadelphia, while one out of every six U.S. doctors is trained in the city. Other major Philadelphia economy giants include printing and publishing, finance, telecommunications and biomedics, including pharmaceutical firms, research institutions and medical publishing.

 
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