Philadelphia Leaders Urge Business Executives to be Advocates for the City

More than 200 business executives, policy officials and economic developers recently gathered at the Pennsylvania Convention Center to talk about key issues facing the tourism, hospitality, and retail industry (more than a quarter of the region’s jobs are tied to this industry).

Panelists at the Chamber’s Philadelphia County Breakfast were Jack Ferguson, Executive Vice President, Convention Division, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; Meryl Levitz, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation; and Ahmeenah Young, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.

Panelists discussed the impact of the hospitality and tourism industry on the region’s economy, expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the city's infrastructure challenges, and how their organizations have adjusted strategies and operations to survive the recession.

They urged attendees to help bring more business and leisure travelers to the city by becoming advocates for our community, supporting the arts, bragging about its many assets, and encouraging businesses to host meetings and relocate here.

The Philadelphia County Breakfast was also presented by Select Greater Philadelphia and sponsored by Wachovia, a Wells Fargo company. It was co-sponsored by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Transit Chek.

See photos from the event on our flickr page.

Click here to listen to the panel discussion.

Click here to read KWY’s coverage of the event.