Top Ten Reasons to Meet in Philadelphia

FIFA World Cup 26™, BIO International Convention, and PCMA Convening Leaders. These are just a few of the major events and meetings coming to Philadelphia in the next few years.

Discover why event professionals around the globe are choosing Philadelphia for their meetings and events.

1. Location, Location, Location

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), American Airlines’ top hub for trans-Atlantic flights, serves the Philadelphia region with 28 airlines offering over 800 nonstop flights to and from over 120 destinations in  the U.S. and around the world. Visitors who opt to travel by plane will enjoy convenient travel options and access via Philadelphia International Airport, which is just a short 25-minute drive, cab ride, or train ride from Philadelphia’s downtown and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Philadelphia is just a two-hour drive from both New York City and Baltimore and a three-hour drive from Washington, D.C. Visitors traveling by train will arrive at Amtrak’s 30th Street Station, located in the heart of Philadelphia’s downtown and just a short walk from hotels and meeting venues.

2. Easy to Get Around

Walking in Philadelphia is a way of life. The city’s grid street plan allows visitors to effortlessly navigate while appreciating the abundant green spaces, public parks, and countless block-to-block experiences just footsteps away from each other. In its recent ranking of the nation’s convention centers, the Wall Street Journal named the Pennsylvania Convention Center first for walkability. The Center’s central location makes it the perfect launch pad to explore Philadelphia’s outdoor art, historic sites, and, most importantly, great food – ensuring the exploration is easy and affordable.

3. Premier Convention Center in the Heart of the City

When you hold a meeting or convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, you are not just investing in a building or floor space, you are investing in an experience. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, the Center is just steps away from the city’s attractions, restaurants and hotels. Progressive work rules and streamlined services provide our customers with just the right amount of flexibility and independence they need, resulting in greater cost efficiencies and better overall customer experience.

4. Room for Everyone

With more than 14,400 hotel rooms within a walk of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia has an extensive assortment of hotel brands— from posh, top-of-the-line properties to economy-minded options — offering a wide variety of event venues.

Connected to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown recently underwent major enhancements with updated technology features, including workstations in public spaces, expanded Wi-Fi access points, bandwidth, security, and infrastructure systems. All 1,408 guest rooms have modern enhancements, including new ceilings, floors, lighting fixtures, and bathrooms with walk-in residential-style entrances and polished stone flooring.

Also, the Holiday Inn Philadelphia Airport – Stadium Area is a newly converted and renovated property conveniently located near the Philadelphia International Airport. The new hotel has 206 spacious guest rooms and over 10,000 square feet of event space, including an on-site business center for productive work and meetings.

5. Unexpected Venues

From iconic only-in-Philadelphia spaces to cutting-edge life sciences incubators, there are a variety of unique venues to suit every size, need, and budget. Make a lasting impression on attendees with a grand setting such as Lincoln Financial Field or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Or choose one of the city’s world-class hotels that feature stunning ballrooms, historic spaces, and innovative meeting rooms. Planners can explore all options using our new venue/meeting space search tool.

6. Dedicated to Diversity and Inclusion

PHL Diversity, the first division of its kind at a DMO, has been connecting planners to diverse suppliers, vendors and community leaders for three decades. Explore our new Diversity Guide to help with all your planning needs.

7. A Life Sciences Hub

PHL Life Sciences, the first and only division of its kind in the country, helps meeting planners tap into Philadelphia’s extensive medical, life sciences and nursing communities. Now is the time to plan your next life sciences meeting in Philadelphia. The city is undergoing an extraordinary development boom, driven by the city’s tech, educational and medical institutions, and a flourishing life science sector.

According to the CBRE’s 2023 report, Philadelphia ranks as one of the best life sciences cities in the U.S., and it’s only expected to rise in the rankings.

8. Mural Capital of the World

Art is a vital component of any Philadelphia visit or event. Beyond the renowned museums, art adorns the streets, parks, and open spaces through sculptures, architecture, and murals, making Philadelphia the world’s largest outdoor art gallery. Even meetings and events can be influenced by art, as organizations like Mural Arts Philadelphia provide opportunities to connect attendees with the local art scene, creating unforgettable experiences.

9. New Attractions

The Franklin Institute recently opened its newest core exhibit “Wondrous Space.” The groundbreaking space exhibit is helping to usher in a new age of science at the museum, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2024.

For the first time ever, visitors can now purchase exclusive official Rocky merchandise at the Sly Stallone Shop, located inside the Philadelphia Visitor Center’s Parkway Outpost at the base of the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, immortalized by the “Italian Stallion” in the film series.

In 2025, Philadelphia’s Museum Mile will welcome Calder Gardens, dedicated to Alexander “Sandy” Calder, a native Philadelphian and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. The space will include a rotating selection of Calder’s works and a large, landscaped meadow surrounding the building.

10. Road to 2026

All eyes will be on Philadelphia in 2026! The year marks the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and Philadelphia will celebrate all year. The city will also be the proud host of PCMA

Convening Leaders, the Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game and of course, the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Add your next event to this incredible list! Submit an RFP today.