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MEETING IN THE KEYSTONE STATE OFFERS AN ENVIRONMENT RICH IN AMERICAN HISTORY AS WELL AS TOP LEVEL HOSPITALITY B Y D A R Y L J O H N S O N Enjoy 45,000 square miles of happi- ness right in the heart of the mid- Atlantic. It's a lot to take in, that's why each region has its own unique name and vibe. Each designation offers a large selection of event venues, from granda- cious convention and conference com- plexes to natural outdoor meeting spaces. What ever your event needs are, The Keystone State has got you covered. From Great Lakes to great breweries, every corner of Pennsylvania has a little slice of happiness just waiting for confer- ence attendees and leisure travelers alike. The state's historic towns are the perfect day trip. Visitors can learn about the residents' contribution to PA history, grab a delicious local lunch, and do some shopping. • • PHILADELPHIA • • Host your next meeting or event in Philadelphia at one of the destination's unique venues ready to serve groups of any size. With the convenience of an accessible destination you'll spark connec- tions and ensure a smooth conference for your attendees. The expanded Pennsylvania Conven- tion Center is one of the country's premier meeting facilities. Located in the center of Philadelphia's historic downtown, the facility offers more than 679,000-square feet of exhibit hall space, 528,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit hall space, 82 meet- ing rooms – plus the largest ballroom in the Northeast at 55,400 sq. ft. When you hold a meeting, convention or trade show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, you are not just investing in a building or floor space, you are investing in an expe- rience. With unique venues and a wide range of hotels with meeting space, all with out- standing service, Philadelphia has what you need for your next meeting or event. With more than 14,400+ hotel rooms within a walk of the Pennsylvania Con-vention Center, this destination has an extensive assortment of hotel brands – from posh, top-of-the-line properties to economy- minded options with bunk beds – that also offer a wide variety of event venues. Most meetings and conventions take place in the Center City district, near the Pennsylvania Convention Center. With nearly 13,500 hotel rooms within a 25- minute walk of the Convention Center, many planners choose to host their off- site events nearby. Philadelphia's walka- bility allows attendees to easily get from their hotel to the event venue within minutes. • • PITTSBURG • • Pittsburgh is a must-see destination full of Only in Pittsburgh venues, attractions, restaurants and activities that are sure to wow your attendees. Add to that the iconic David L. Lawrence Convention Center, an incredible array of accommo- dations and an engaged hospitality com- munity and services team, and you've got the ideal meeting destination. With more than 1.5 million feet of meeting and exhibit space, including column-free exhibit halls, the DLCC allows for an abundance of spacing and provides meet- ing planners with flexibility and options. Your attendees will find this array of Only in Pittsburgh attractions, restaurants and activities. Discover magnificent muse- ums like The Andy Warhol Museum, fun- filled events like the award-winning Picklesburgh, historic sites like Saint Anthony Chapel, which is home to a record 5,000 Catholic relics, and an arts & culture scene unlike any other. The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a non-profit, multi-dis- ciplinary arts center open to all. This establishment is dedicated to the celebra- tion of the African American journey and presenting its unique and extraordinary role in the creation of popular culture in America and beyond. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit PITTSBURGH – (888) 568-3744 www.visitpittsburgh.com/- meetpittsburgh 54 B M & T ••• January/February 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com AREA GUIDES P E N N S Y LVA N I A • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown 760 Loews Philadelphia Hotel 580 Element Philadelphia Hotel 460 W Philadelphia 295 The Bellevue Hotel Philadelphia 163 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Pennsylvania Convention Center Total Space 528,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 125,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 55,400 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 83 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Philadelphia CVB – (215) 636-3300 www.discoverphl.com Pennsylvania Convention Center photo credit: PennsylvaniaCC