Achieving Corporate Responsibility: How Philadelphia Makes it Possible

Achieving Corporate Responsibility: How Philadelphia Makes it Possible

For planners who want to leave an impact beyond their meeting, Philadelphia is the destination for you.

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) fosters community connections between meeting and convention planners and local groups with shared values. Our Sales and Services team can help design programs and events that align your meeting with local organizations or specific causes. Here are a few examples of meetings that successfully achieved their corporate social responsibility goals in Philadelphia.

Creating packages for chemotherapy patients

The 2024 BOMA International Conference & Expo gave attendees the opportunity to give back to the city through The Unforgotten Haven. During the convention, attendees made snack packs in the Expo Hall that feed local chemotherapy patients. Over the course of the convention, attendees exceeded BOMA’s goal, creating and donating over 7,000 chemo packages.

Planners’ Day of Service

Each year, during the American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference, the association hosts the Planners’ Day of Service. This dedicated day gives conference attendees an opportunity to positively impact the host city’s community while building and strengthening industry relationships.

The 2023 Planners’ Day of Service in Philadelphia introduced attendees to Planning for Neurodiversity. After being taught concepts of neurodiversity and sensory accessibility, APA members assembled and distributed sensory tool kits to “Kamp for Kids,” a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization providing enjoyable experiences for neurodiverse children. While there, Kamp for Kids staff discussed the specific needs of neurodiverse children, equipping planners with knowledge they could apply in their own communities.

Planners’ Day of Service 2023 was an overwhelming success, in no small part due to the help and support of multiple APA Divisions, the Divisions’ Council, and individual APA members. pic.twitter.com/6RRupr7DRK

— APA Women & Planning (@APAPWD) April 17, 2023

Fighting food insecurity

In 1984,  Philabundance was founded with the belief that no person should go hungry while food goes to waste. Today, many meetings held in Philadelphia collaborate with Philabundance to reduce food waste and enhance access to nutritious meals.

During Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s 92nd North Atlantic Regional Conference, members partnered with for their community day. In alignment with the sorority’s commitment to reducing childhood hunger, members packaged over 8,000 healthy food kits for children during their time in Philadelphia.

Adopt-A-School

The National Electrical Contractors Association’s (NECA) Adopt-a-School Program aims to support local schools by offering resources and assistance. The partnership between NECA Chapters, members, and schools is designed to enhance educational experiences while strengthening community ties and promoting the industry.

During their 2023 Convention & Trade Show, NECA’s local Penn-Del-Jersey chapter adopted Mercy Career & Technical High School in Philadelphia. The services and products that NECA provided the school, including new tools and a storm drain, amounted to $94,828. Additionally, NECA members went to the school and participated in a Beautification Day, where they improved the school’s exterior by mulching and planting flower beds.

Childhood poverty toolkits

For its 2023 annual convention, the American Association for Justice did a service project with Cradles to Crayons to package, sort, and organize donations. Cradles to Crayons is a nationwide nonprofit organization confronting childhood poverty. Its mission is to provide children living in homelessness or low-income situations with essential items.

Supporting pets experiencing homelessness

For their 2022 convention, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) wanted to give back to Philadelphia’s pet community. The PHLCVB helped AVMA connect with The Street Dog Coalition to partner on a pet clinic for Philadelphians experiencing homelessness. During their event, AVMA set up a clinic in Norris Park where pet owners experiencing homelessness received free veterinary examinations. They also received essential pet supplies such as food, bowls, treats, toys, leashes, and collars.

Photo by Sara Beugen, courtesy of AVMA

The Pennsylvania Convention Center and Philadelphia business and hospitality sector leaders established PHLCares to mobilize resources for addressing chronic homelessness. As a sponsor of PHLCares, the PHLCVB connects meetings and events aiming to make an impact with the nonprofit.

To discover additional ways your organization can achieve their corporate social responsibility goals and make an impact in Philadelphia, visit our list of non-profit partners.