As one of the United States’ most historic and accessible major cities, Philadelphia’s successful showing as host of January’s PCMA Convening Leaders cemented the city’s reputation to more than 4,000 attendees not only to the capabilities of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, but also the destination’s many customisable event elements and welcoming nature.
“In welcoming PCMA Convening Leaders, our primary goal was to showcase how Philadelphia can deliver citywide events,” said Jamie Huckleberry, director of destination services for the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB). “The city can accommodate events of any size, with diverse venues, award-winning restaurants and authentic experiences that can be tailor-made for all, and that was illustrated through the number of unique offsites and highly customisable activations attendees experienced during Convening Leaders.”
Here’s how the Pennsylvania Convention Center and PHLCVB weaved these elements into a memorable Convening Leaders programme, and how meeting professionals can leverage all that Philadelphia offers for their 2026 meetings and beyond.
Where convenience meets connectivity
Philadelphia’s citywide cred was gained through its accessibility and convenient hotel package with more than 30 hotels within a 10-minute walk of the convention centre, a facility that tops out at more than 1 million total square feet.
Twelve primary convention hotels, totalling more than 9,000 room nights, were included in the Convening Leaders hotel block. Attendees were well positioned to explore the city on foot, as Philadelphia is an eminently walkable destination, having been named the ‘Most Walkable City to Visit’ for three consecutive years (2023-2025) by USA Today 10 Best.
The PHLCVB curated an experience unlike any other by incorporating the city’s character into events and leveraging the capabilities and location of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the walkability of downtown, the city’s robust hotel package, and unique off-site venues, creating an enhanced attendee experience.
The Philadelphia arrival experience
PCMA Convening Leaders attendees were welcomed to Philadelphia from the moment they arrived with a citywide welcome experience showcasing the many ways groups can customise their presence across the city.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), offering more than 700 non-stop flights to over 120 destinations worldwide and located just 25 minutes from Center City, served as a first stop for many. As attendees arrived to Philadelphia, high-impact digital signage in primary passenger routes created a warm welcome from the moment they landed.
Additional citywide touchpoints greeted attendees at every turn, including a massive 51-foot banner displayed on the historic City Hall in the heart of downtown. Large format video boards illuminated the city’s main commercial corridor. Customised street pole banners lined multiple blocks throughout Center City, reinforcing the event’s presence.
A Center that has it all
The Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC), which offers nearly 700,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, was configured for a variety of Convening Leaders activations.
While registration is typically one of the less-glamorous, yet essential, aspects of any major event, the PCC made it a focal point with a new digital signage package that literally brightened up the process. More than 150 digital screens were located throughout the building providing a key visual touchpoint at registration as the conference began.
Attendees were wowed by the Center with the transformation of an exhibit hall to the Opening Party with themed experiences around Philadelphia’s many “firsts”. The PHLCVB incorporated the city’s character into the opening event by celebrating the city’s diverse neighbourhoods, history, mural arts, and more. Themed sections throughout the party celebrated leadership in life sciences, being home to the nation’s first officially recognised ‘Gayborhood’, and global horticultural influence as host of the renowned Philadelphia Flower Show each brought to life through locally inspired decor, activations, and culinary touches. The feeling of Philadelphia extended beyond the convention centre walls.
Signature venues added their own character, from the Xfinity Mobile Arena, home to beloved Philly sports teams, to The Fillmore, a live entertainment venue in the heart of one of the city’s favoured neighbourhoods. As a popular concert venue, and a short drive from the PCC.
Giving back
Party With a Purpose, the high-energy donation event benefiting PCMA Foundation, was held on the second night of Convening Leaders at The Fillmore. This notable venue accommodates groups from 50 to 3,000, offering full-service event production and state-of-the-art sound and lighting that will put that high-production-value “exclamation point” on any high-octane event.
Philadelphia goes worldwide
For the closing night party, Xfinity Mobile Arena was customised into an immersive ‘worldwide’ experience, inspired by the headline act, Pitbull – nicknamed Mr. Worldwide. Before entering the arena, attendees were greeted by the Philadelphia Sun’s Lion Dancers for an arrival experience that had attendees’ jaws drop. With energetic dance teams, roller blading artists and a basketball acrobatics team flying through the air, the closing party was an epic slam dunk.
Furthering the ‘worldwide’ theme, food stations represented cuisine from around the world such as Italy, Mexico, China and of course some Philadelphia staples. Beyond the event, attendees can experience a more elevated culinary experience with globally recognised Michelin-starred restaurants across the city.
Attendees were treated to an iconic hometown moment as Philadelphia’s own DJ Jazzy Jeff took the stage, delivering an electrifying set infused with Philly soul and edge. The Worldwide Wrap Party didn’t just celebrate a global community, yet it was a bold showcase of how Philadelphia creates experiences that resonate far beyond the city’s limits.
The time is now to book Philadelphia
Are you ready to plan your next meeting, convention, or event in a city that knows how to deliver? Backed by PHLCVB’s industry expertise, strategic connections, and hands-on support, your event is set up for success from day one. Now’s the time to start planning in Philadelphia!
Learn more at: Philadelphia Meetings- DiscoverPHL
Contact Information: ConvSales@discoverPHL.com
215-636-3348
