A MEETING ABOUT MEETINGS: PHILADELPHIA TO SHOWCASE IMPORTANCE OF MEETINGS WITH PUBLIC EVENT
A MEETING ABOUT MEETINGS: PHILADELPHIA TO SHOWCASE IMPORTANCE OF MEETINGS WITH PUBLIC EVENT IN COURTYARD OF CITY HALL MAY 7
It was hard for me to comprehend what this event was about, but all the movers and shakers in the tourism industry were here…
Tom Muldoon, PCVB · Vince Albeser, Doorman, Four Seasons · Julie Coker, Hyatt · Christine Duffy, Maritz Travel · Ed Grose, Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association · Albert Lee, head concierge, Independence Visitor Center · Laura Linton, National Constitution Center · Michael Lyons, GEP PhillyBelow is Albert Lee, head concierge, Independence Visitor Center, this kid is going to be Mayor someday if not the City’s Head Concierge. He knows this City backwards and forwards. In fact I loved his quote at today’s event where he said and I paraphrase I know the visitors are visiting your places, because I send them to you, and I want to know what more can I do for you. Then he went on to talk about how great the City was and it’s potential. Stating that he was raised in Chinatown and he was a Philadelphian. Back in February Albert won a contest that the National Geographic held title “I Heart My City” 
Did you know that starting Saturday it’s National Tourism and Travel Week (May 9-17, 2009); On May 12, 2009, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) will reveal a brand-new tourism marketing campaign developed in direct response to the current economic climate. This campaign, set to launch before the busy summer travel season, is designed to boost leisure visitation and overnight hotel occupancy. 
Mayor Michael Nutter left a meeting regarding the casinos to attend this meeting. Now in the media Ben Franklin is a good get to get some press, but having the Mayor show up is a done deal as far as local media, and for that matter on a national level too.
This week is National Pray Week. On the west side of City Hall there’s a set-up with folks praying 24/7. This lady was nice enough to come into the courtyard and say a little prayer that the economy will pick up, meetings will again be happening, and money will flow to the coffers.
This weekend: Tonight the Magee Rehab benefit, check the PhillyChitChat Calendar for info. Also the Please Touch Story Book Ball, again check the calendar. On Monday:
A Special One-Night Only Free Screening of “The Far Side of the Moon ” directed by Robert Lepage, May 11, 7 pm, Gershman Y, 401 South Broad St., in Center City.
Business is hurting, we need companies to realize that it\’s affordable to conduct business as usual.
As part of the national Meetings Mean Business campaign, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) hosted a meeting in the Courtyard of City Hall on May 7, focusing on the vital role meetings and events have in Philadelphia and their impact on the region’s 88,000 industry workers. Ben Franklin led the lively discussion that took place between front-line employees, including a doorman, bell captain, reservations manager, concierge, and a chef alongside Mayor Michael Nutter, PCVB President Tom Muldoon, and other industry leaders.
Here’s the video link
http://www