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PHILADELPHIA – ACCESSIBLE AND AWARD-WINNING Philadelphia is the most talked about city in America right now. Racking up accolades both national and interna- tional, the country's first World Heritage City was also ranked No. 3 on the New York Times' list of 52 Places to Go in 2015. And with impeccable urban planning, it's no sur- prise that Philadelphia also secured the title of Walk Score's "4th Most Walkable City in America." At the heart of it all? The Pennsylvania Convention Center, steps from the city's most exciting attractions, and less than a day's drive from 40 percent of America's popu- lation. The LEED-certified facility also features one million sq. ft. of saleable space, the ability to host two major tradeshows simultaneously, the largest ballroom in the Northeast, and a soaring Grand Hall in a historic train shed. The Convention Center also boasts progressive work rules and expanded exhibitor rights. Under the charge of leading facility management firm SMG, who manages more than 240 facilities across the nation, Philadelphia employs the industry's best practices. Making a concerted effort to listen – and respond – to customers, SMG has streamlined many functions such as labor, security, and cleaning since 2013. Additional improvements to the building manage- ment model, union work rules and contractor/billing trans- parency, have resulted in major convention bookings such as the National Black MBA Association in 2017, LIGHT- FAIR International in 2017, the Biotechnology Industry Organization annual international convention in 2019, and the American Heart Association in 2019. Planning these events is a breeze with the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), and if you're bringing in a cultural, life sciences, or sports group, dedicat- B M & T ••• January/February 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 20 IT'S a fact! Planners and their delegates don't want to sit cooped up in a conference room for three or four days, no matter how well the seminars are organized and how valuable the information they offer. Meetings are more productive and enjoyable when attendees have an opportunity to move about and experi- ence the destination first hand. One of the best ways to make this happen is by including healthy walking activities into your program agenda. Here are some cities that are ideal to explore on foot. BY RUFUS MCKINNEY Photo Credit: Paul Loftland/PHLCVB