5 Reasons to Plan Your Next Convention in Philadelphia

The City of Brotherly Love. The Birthplace of America. The City That Loves You Back. As if Philadelphia’s nicknames aren’t enough to convince you to book a leisure visit, the city is also a haven for companies in search of venues for meetings and conventions. From its stellar location to timeless history and a wealth of resources for business travelers, here are just five of the many reasons to plan your convention in Philadelphia.

A Central Location

Philadelphia’s famous LOVE sculpture / Photo: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

Nestled between Washington, D.C. and New York City, consider this your northeast gathering ground. If a quick drive to Philadelphia isn’t in the cards, getting to the city is easy. Philadelphia International Airport is just a 25-minute drive or train ride from the heart of the city, serving more than 120 destinations, with 700 nonstop flights and nearly 30 different airlines. For those arriving to Philly by train, the Amtrak station is downtown, with regular arrivals.

A Dynamic Convention Center

Exterior of Philadelphia Convention Center / Photo: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

Philadelphia is home to the 14th-largest convention center in the United States, the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Located downtown and a stone’s throw from the likes of Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown, it boasts seven expansive halls, 82 meeting rooms and more than 679,000 square feet of exhibit hall space. It has direct access to more than 14,400 hotel rooms with 100,000 square feet of meeting space if needed, too.

Vibrant History and Attractions

Liberty Bell / Photo: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

While Philadelphia means business, it means history and culture, too. Within a single square mile, you can explore Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, The Museum of the American Revolution, and award-winning dining destinations and attractions aplenty. It’s the type of destination primed for an urban adventure and one that convention-goers can truly revel in.

Incredible Walkability

Walking through Independence National Historical Park / Photo: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

In 2024, for the second year in a row, USA Today readers named Philadelphia the Most Walkable City in the U.S. Stemming back to founder William Penn’s grid street plan, the city’s urban core is easy to navigate, from its lush green parks to towering icons. The Pennsylvania Convention Center itself was named the No. 1 spot for walkability by The Wall Street Journal, in part for its unbeatable central location.

Business Resources

The 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center / Photo: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau has three business development divisions, focusing on diversity, life sciences, and sports. This means planning professionals are able to effortlessly tap into a broad network of industry experts, thought leaders, and keynote speakers for events in the city. Philadelphia’s life sciences and diversity divisions were the first of their kind in the nation, with the latter now 30-plus years into its existence.