5 min read March 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, John McNichol, CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, discussed the center’s key achievements, including hosting nearly 150 events in 2023, and outlined exciting initiatives for the future. McNichol highlighted the center’s role in driving economic prosperity in Philadelphia, its competitive advantages and his industry outlook in the region ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. “I don’t see 2026 as just a milestone. Instead, I view our current moment as the beginning, with 2026 acting as a springboard into the future of Philadelphia’s hospitality and tourism industry,” he said.
What have been some of the key achievements for the Convention Center over the past year?
Over the last year, which we’ll refer to as calendar year 2023, we’ve had a very successful period. We hosted close to 150 events, attracting over 860,000 attendees to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This achievement is particularly impressive when you compare it to the figures from 2021, where we had around 56 events with about half a million visitors. Then in 2022, as we began to emerge from the pandemic, we saw an increase to 109 events and slightly over half a million attendees. This shows a strong upward trend in our recovery. We’ve been closely monitoring when our industry would rebound, and we’re extremely encouraged by the positive signs last year showed. Not only are we recovering strongly from the pandemic, but the future also looks promising.
What are some exciting initiatives the Convention Center has in place for the remainder of 2024 and beyond?
As we move forward, blending both calendar and fiscal years, 2024 is shaping up to be very strong. We analyze our performance from year to year, and we benefit from several loyal customers who return annually. Their attendance numbers have shown steady growth, signaling a recovery from the pandemic. For example, we recently concluded the 2024 PHS (Pennsylvania Horticultural Society) Philadelphia Flower Show, one of the world’s premier flower shows, which we host annually. It was a resounding success, with attendance numbers reminiscent of pre-pandemic days, which was very encouraging.
This year, we’re expecting over half a million international visitors for events booked through our Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. This doesn’t even account for the leisure travel segment driven by Visit Philly, our other destination marketing organization, which has been pivotal in our pandemic recovery efforts. The combined efforts of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Philadelphia, and the Convention Center are fueling an economic resurgence in the hospitality industry.
Downtown Philadelphia has seen its restaurant scene thrive despite the challenges of the pandemic. Many establishments that struggled to remain open are now bustling, with outdoor dining introduced for safety now a permanent feature, adding to the city’s vibrant atmosphere. This resilience and the cooperative spirit between businesses and city officials have helped keep small businesses alive and workers employed in the hospitality sector.
As we head towards 2026 and the 250th anniversary of our country, we view 2023 and 2024 as a pivotal period for the recovery of our hospitality industry. We are optimistic that by the end of this calendar year, we will return to pre-pandemic levels of customers, attendees, and travelers, which is a very positive outlook.
How have the center’s operations contributed to the local economy, and what is its role in driving economic prosperity in the region?
In discussions both within and outside the city and region, I emphasize the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s role not merely as a large venue but as a significant economic catalyst for the area. Our activities extend far beyond the confines of our building. When the Convention and Visitors Bureau secures large citywide conventions, and we host them, the impact resonates well beyond our 2 million square feet of space. It’s not just about the events within our walls; it’s about filling hotel rooms, bustling dining establishments, increased visits to museums, and engaging with the vibrant arts and culture scene. Our presence boosts nightlife, bars, and the sports complex, enriching the diverse community of Philadelphia.
This economic infusion benefits local small businesses down to the individual level, including Uber and taxi drivers and the broader transportation infrastructure. The presence of major conventions supports a wide range of services and sectors, demonstrating our profound economic influence on the region.
The pandemic starkly illustrated this point by showing the detrimental effect of removing large conventions, meetings, and conferences from our operation. This absence highlighted the economic downturn felt by everyone in the hospitality chain, from small pubs and restaurants to vendors at the Reading Terminal Market. Therefore, revitalizing our event schedule is crucial, not just for the Convention Center but for the entire local economy, showcasing our integral role in the region’s economic prosperity.
What are some of the competitive advantages the Convention Center offers to the national and international convention market?
The strategies we’ve implemented at the Pennsylvania Convention Center were developed in response to the challenges presented by the pandemic. With the industry at a standstill, we seized the opportunity to make substantial investments in the health, safety, and wellness of our future guests. Our Board of Directors, along with our administrative team and supported by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, made a proactive decision to allocate over $78 million in new capital investment into the facility. A significant portion of this investment focused on enhancing building hygiene and safety, anticipating that these factors would become critical considerations for customers choosing a venue or destination city for their events.
During this period, when the demand for our services was dramatically reduced, we undertook major infrastructure upgrades that were impossible to execute during busier times. This included the replacement of 14 escalators and the introduction of ultraviolet light technology to continuously sanitize handrails, a feature unseen by customers but vital for their safety. Furthermore, we upgraded our air handling systems with the latest technology, including hard media filtration and bipolar ionization, to improve air quality and the capacity to introduce fresh air into our 2 million square foot space within 30 minutes.
Beyond these significant health and safety upgrades, we also focused on enhancing customer experience through technological advancements such as our recent upgrade to the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology, which provides an improved connectivity experience for our guests, and our food and beverage offerings, through the recent renovations to our concession stands, ensuring a more diverse and interesting menu selection. These improvements were made in partnership with Aramark, our food and beverage partner, and ASM Global, our facilities management company, highlighting the collaborative effort behind our operations.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Convention Center is one of the few convention centers located in the heart of the city. Our facility is walking distance from many of the top restaurants, hotels, the local arts and culture scene, tourist attractions, and more, allowing our customers to create curated and immersive event experiences for their attendees.
What initiatives has the Pennsylvania Convention Center implemented to enhance customer service and support the local hospitality industry?
An exceptional initiative we’ve launched is the Hospitality Industry Advancement Trust Fund, created in partnership with our four labor unions. This initiative aims to ensure a safe working environment, skilled workforce, and hospitable service, funded by both the Convention Center authority and a contribution from union members. This unique program, focusing on safety, skills, and hospitality (Safety, Skills, and Smiles), underscores our commitment to excellence in customer service and is unmatched in the country.
Separately, we continue to invest in education and training for youth and adults in the hospitality sector, in partnership with local academies and institutions such as OIC Philadelphia and Philadelphia Academies. This effort is distinct from our work with the Hospitality Industry Advancement Trust Fund, which specifically addresses labor and management’s joint commitment to improving safety, skills, and hospitality comprehensively. These initiatives collectively position the Pennsylvania Convention Center as a leader in the national and international convention market, offering a blend of safety, innovation, and community engagement unparalleled in the industry.
Looking forward, how do you envision the role of the Pennsylvania Convention Center evolving over the next few years?
We’re very focused on the upcoming years, especially as we approach 2026, the 250th anniversary of America. This event is a significant moment not just for Philadelphia but also for Boston and Washington, D.C. However, I don’t see 2026 as just a milestone. Instead, I view our current moment as the beginning, with 2026 acting as a springboard into the future of Philadelphia’s hospitality and tourism industry. It’s a chance for us to showcase who we are to the world, and we’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
In the immediate future, leading up to 2026, we have an impressive lineup of conferences, shows, and exhibits. Notably, we’ll be a host city for the FIFA World Cup, coinciding with the 250th anniversary. This event alone is a tremendous opportunity for us. Additionally, we’ll host the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which will include fan festivities at the Convention Center. Our schedule for 2025 and 2026 includes prominent associations and organizations, promising significant economic impact and hotel occupancy.
The economic benefits of hosting events like the FIFA World Cup are vast, not just in terms of direct economic impact during the events but also in the value of the media attention these events offer. Some of these benefits were seen during the World Meeting of Families and Papal visit in 2015 and the Democratic National Convention in 2016, both of which made Philadelphia the focus of global media and illustrates the immeasurable promotional value of these types of events.
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