Moving Forward with the PA Convention
Center Expansion — Bids Go Out

For more than two years, Chamber leaders have diligently advocated for the upcoming expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center in meetings with key stakeholders. Our interest is clear: the expansion means construction jobs in the short-term, hospitality industry jobs in the long-term, and increased economic vibrancy for this 11-county region now and into the future. Last week, construction managers released bid documents to six pre-qualified general contractors.

The $700 million project is expected to play a major role in stimulating the regional economy, allowing the Convention Center to host more meetings and accommodate larger conventions and tradeshows. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau has already booked more than $1.2 billion in future business into the expanded convention center. Expansion will also have a major impact on future hotel and hospitality-related business, filling the majority of hotel rooms in Center City, and generating about 2,000 new hospitality-related jobs each year.

Before the Pennsylvania Legislature approved and Governor Rendell signed a capital budget bill last June, the Chamber urged legislators as well as Governor Rendell to fund expansion for the good of the state’s economy. This bill provided the funding for the project.

In addition, as City Council considered labor issues relating to the expansion, Chamber offered to fund a Disparity study on city and suburban employment.

Upon completion, the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center will have the largest contiguous exhibit space in the Northeast (541,000 sq. ft.), the largest convention center ballroom on the East Coast (60,000 sq. ft.), and the ability to host large tradeshows or two major conventions simultaneously.