Convention Center bookings strongest in decade

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, which markets the Pennsylvania Convention Center, said 2014 was its strongest convention booking year in over a decade. David M Warren / Staff Photographer

By signing up conventions that will fill hotels for 846,357 room nights in coming years, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, which markets the Convention Center, says 2014 was its strongest convention-booking year in over a decade.

"A combination of SMG taking over the management of the building and the new customer satisfaction agreement are assisting us in attracting future business," said Julie Coker, executive vice president.

SMG, a convention center management firm in West Conshohocken, started running the center in December 2013. A customer satisfaction agreement signed in May by Convention Center unions, management, and labor contractor gave exhibitors more leeway in setting up their booths.

Major conventions are booked years in advance. In 2015, the bureau said, 37 meetings and conventions will fill hotel rooms for 314,086 nights and generate $550 million in economic impact.

Source: Philly.com