How Philadelphia Delivered for PCMA Convening Leaders 2026

How Philadelphia Delivered for PCMA Convening Leaders 2026

In January 2026, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau impressed by hosting more than 4,200 convention management professionals at the Professional Convention Management Association’s PCMA Convening Leaders at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

It’s official. Philadelphia is THE CITY in 2026 (and beyond) to host your convention after a successful showing as host of January’s PCMA Convening Leaders cemented Philly’s reputation. More than 4,200 attendees experienced the capabilities of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, along with the destination’s many customizable event elements and welcoming nature.

“In welcoming PCMA Convening Leaders, our primary goal was to showcase how Philadelphia delivers citywide events,” said PHLCVB director of destination services Jamie Huckleberry. “The city can accommodate events of any size, with diverse venues, award-winning restaurants and authentic experiences that can be tailor-made for all.”

PCMA‘s decision to celebrate its 70th anniversary in the city where it was founded is just the start of a monumental year for the City of Brotherly Love, with the buzz surrounding the Philly’s starring role in 2026 as the country commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which was debated and signed in Philadelphia.

This is how the Pennsylvania Convention Center and PHLCVB weaved its story into a successful Convening Leaders program, and how meeting planners can leverage all that Philadelphia offers for their 2026 meetings and beyond.

What Makes Philadelphia a Citywide Favorite

Philadelphia’s citywide street cred is backed by the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s more than 1 million square feet, a hotel package featuring 30-plus properties within a 10-minute walk, and the city’s well-earned reputation for accessibility.

Twelve primary convention hotels, totaling more than 9,000 room nights, were included in the Convening Leaders hotel block. Attendees were well positioned to explore the city on foot, as Philadelphia is an eminently walkable destination, having been named the “Most Walkable City to Visit” for three consecutive years (2023–2025) by USA Today 10Best.

Skybridge from the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

As Convening Leaders meeting planner delegates learned, Philly is always primed to handle citywides. The PHLCVB curated an experience unlike any other by incorporating Philly’s character into events across the city, and of course leveraging the capabilities and location of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the walkability of downtown, the city’s robust hotel package, unique off-site venues and more, creating an enhanced attendee experience.

The Philadelphia Arrival Experience

PCMA Convening Leaders attendees were welcomed to Philadelphia from the moment they arrived with a citywide experience showcasing the many ways groups can customize their presence.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) — offering more than 700 nonstop flights to over 120 destinations worldwide, and located just 25 minutes from Center City — served as a first stop. As attendees arrived, they were greeted with high-impact digital signage. Those arriving to the city via Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and Acela — a convenient option for attendees traveling from other Northeast cities — were greeted with “Welcome Attendee” messaging from a full domination takeover of 30th Street Station.

Additional touchpoints included a massive 51-foot banner on City Hall, large video bulletins in Market Street East, messaging rotating on the towering PECO building’s crown lights, and customized street pole banners found throughout the city. The PHLCVB also staffed stations in each hotel to provide information to arriving attendees.

Pennsylvania Convention Center

The Pennsylvania Convention Center’s nearly 700,000 square feet of exhibit hall space were configured for a variety of Convening Leaders activations.

While registration is typically one of the less-glamorous, yet essential, aspects of any major event, the Pennsylvania Convention Center made it a focal point with new digital signage — more than 150 screens in total — that literally brightened up the process, most prominently on display in the soaring Broad Street Atrium.

Attendees were wowed by the transformation of an exhibit hall to the Opening Party with themed experiences around Philadelphia’s many “firsts.” The PHLCVB incorporated the city’s character into the opening event by celebrating Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods, history, and mural arts. Philly band SnackTime kept the crowd moving and grooving throughout the party.

The PHLCVB offers conventions the opportunity to give back through community impact opportunities. The Pennsylvania Convention Center hosted the Do Good, Feel Good volunteer event in the exhibit halls benefiting American Cancer Society and Cradle to Crayons during Convening Leaders.

Keep the Party Going to the End

Party With a Purpose, the high-energy donation event benefiting PCMA Foundation, was held on the second night of Convening Leaders at The Fillmore, a live entertainment venue in one of the city’s favorite neighborhoods. Just a short drive from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, The Fillmore can host groups from 50 to 3,000, offering full-service event production and state-of-the-art sound and lighting.

For the closing night party, Xfinity Mobile Arena, home to several Philly sports teams, was customized into an immersive “worldwide” experience, inspired by the headline act, Pitbull, a.k.a. “Mr. Worldwide.”

The multiplicity of activations in Xfinity Mobile Arena was spellbinding, as the full venue was strategically deployed to great advantage, utilizing the full arena floor as well as concession areas and corridors.

With high-energy dance teams, Lion Dancers, roller blading artists and basketball acrobatics team Acro Dunkers flying through the air, the closing party was an epic slam dunk the moment attendees arrived. Furthering the “worldwide” theme, food stations represented various cuisines and the beverages were free-flowing. Bringing the event back home was the opening act, Philly’s own DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The multiplicity of activations in Xfinity Mobile Arena was spellbinding, as the full venue was strategically deployed to great advantage, utilizing the full arena floor as well as concession areas and corridors.

Other activations included an LED Playground with whimsical swings and teeter-totters; a take on the iconic Love sculptures — but spelling “PCMA” — made famous by artist Robert Indiana; roaming AI photo booths; a magazine photo booth for “cover” shoots; and even a Rocky photo op booth — there is nothing more Philly than that.