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Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau Releases 2019 Annual Report, and Appoints Gregg Caren as President & CEO
Announcements Highlight the Power of Tourism & Hospitality to City’s Economy
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) released key tourism results as part of its 2019 Annual Report, underscoring the importance of Philadelphia’s tourism industry and its role as an economic engine for the city. Building on the momentum of the positive results released in the Annual Report, the PHLCVB also announced the appointment of Gregg Caren, a seasoned veteran of the tourism industry, to be the next President and CEO of the PHLCVB.
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
The results contained in the report are a reflection of the collective work across Philadelphia’s hospitality and tourism industry including key partnerships with the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia International Airport, Visit Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
• 585 PHLCVB-booked events brought 788,000 attendees to Philadelphia. These meeting attendees and organizers spent an estimated $388 million in market, and when cycled through the economy, yielded an economic impact of $600 million.
• Nineteen citywide conventions, the most in a decade, contributed significantly to the 1.1 million total group hotel room nights for Philadelphia.
• The PHLCVB sales team booked 602 meetings, conventions and sporting events for future years, which are estimated to generate 692,736 hotel room nights.
• International efforts continue to pay off and in 2018 (most recent available data) Philadelphia welcomed nearly 700,000 overseas visitors – a 7.5% YOY increase.
• Overseas visitors also set modern-day records in spending ($723 million) and economic impact ($1.2 billion).
“We're extremely proud to present this report because it is a reflection of the hard work of our industry and it serves as a barometer for what we are capable of achieving together,” said PHLCVB President and CEO Julie Coker. “Center City Philadelphia hotel room revenue grew by 31.6% in the past five years, helping to generate more taxes for the city and state, and serving as a strong indicator of Philadelphia's increasing appeal as a top destination. The historical implications of COVID-19 in 2020 will put these numbers into perspective, but we are resilient and determined to do whatever it takes to make a full recovery.”
| | | Gregg Caren appointed President and CEO of Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau The PHLCVB Board of Directors has appointed Gregg Caren, a seasoned veteran of the tourism industry, to be the next President and CEO of the PHLCVB. Caren will officially join the team on June 8, 2020, and joins the PHLCVB with over three decades of industry experience.
In his new role, Caren will oversee the PHLCVB’s efforts to promote and sell Philadelphia as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, sporting events, overseas travelers, and group tour visitors. He will also serve as the chief liaison for the PHLCVB’s tourism and hospitality partners, including the Pennsylvania Convention Center, as well as national industry associations, and the City of Philadelphia.
“After two decades working with dozens of convention centers and destinations around the globe, I am genuinely excited and honored to represent my hometown of twenty-five years to the rest of the world,” said Caren. “Given the current state of affairs and my love for the greater Philadelphia region, I also have a strong sense of civic responsibility. The PHLCVB drives meaningful economic impact for our city and region. I'm truly looking forward to contributing to Philadelphia's recovery efforts by leading the extremely talented team at the PHLCVB, and working closely with the partners and stakeholders that help drive our tourism industry forward.”
Caren most recently served as the Executive Vice President, Sales and Strategic Business Development for ASM Global (formerly SMG), operator of over 350 venues worldwide, headquartered in Conshohocken, Pa. Caren has held board and leadership roles with the International Association for Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), the National Association of Consumer Shows (NACS) and the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). He is an alumnus of The Pennsylvania State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management.
| | | Philadelphia Webinar Training Atlantic Link will present a webinar for travel trade on Philadelphia. Details on the date will soon be announced, but in the interim, experience Philadelphia’s popular attractions, global food scene and cultural offerings from home, and discover why National Geographic named Philadelphia the only U.S. city on the list of “Best Trips to take in 2020”, a great acknowledgement and proof that Philadelphia is a popular destination for international travelers. | | NEWS AND DOWNLOAD • Find the latest stories and images from Philadelphia and other clients of Atlantic Link HERE.
• To download the newsletter as a Word Document, please click HERE.
• Visit the PHLCVB Press Room for the latest press releases and images HERE. | | PRESS CONTACT Lise Hvid Holm
Communications Manager, Scandinavia & Finland
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
c/o Atlantic Link
Kompagnistræde 34, 4th floor
1208 Copenhagen - Denmark
M: +45 2267 8903
E: lh@atlanticlink.net | | SALES CONTACT Martin Schmidtsdorff
Sales Manager, Scandinavia & Finland
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
c/o Atlantic Link
Kompagnistræde 34, 4th floor
1208 Copenhagen - Denmark
M: +45 4082 2783
E: ms@atlanticlink.net | | |
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