Connecting Cultures: How Philadelphia Embraces International Meeting Attendees

How Philadelphia Embraces International Meeting Attendees

If your organization aims to attract an audience from around the world, Philadelphia is the place to make it happen.

When international meeting attendees touch down at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), they won’t feel the anxiety of being lost in a new country. That’s because PHL uses GLOBO, a phone system that allows any of the airport’s more than 30 million travelers to quickly connect with a specialized interpreter who speaks their native language. They may not even have to pick up the phone, either, thanks to a diverse staff that includes employees who speak Spanish, Russian, German, French, Arabic and Italian.

“PHL proudly welcomes passengers from around the world to Philadelphia,” said Leah Douglas, director of guest experience at the airport when the new tool was announced, “and we want them to feel at home and have a great experience while they are here.”

Philadelphia shines with the eyes of the world upon it, as demonstrated throughout America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Large international crowds flocked to the birthplace of the United States for FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, the tournament-long FIFA Fan Festival, the PGA Championship, MLB All-Star Week, and premier Independence Day festivities. Looking ahead, major international gatherings — including annual conventions for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Biophysical Society, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Urban Land Institute, and the AORN Global Surgical Conference — will continue drawing global attendees to the city through 2027. 

A Certified Welcoming City — With a Global Culinary Scene

To understand how visitors will feel right at home when they arrive in Philadelphia, consider how well the city has rolled out the red carpet for new permanent residents from outside the U.S. The city earned an official designation as a Certified Welcoming City by Welcoming America — a designation that recognizes places that have created policies and programs reflecting a commitment to immigrant inclusion.

In addition to the policy support from local leaders, the stars of the city’s food scene have made Philadelphia a melting pot for global flavors. Sample the streets of Asia at Sampan in Washington Square West; taste Thai food from Chutatip “Nok” Suntarnon — James Beard’s Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic — at Kalaya; Taste a fusion of Korean and French cuisinse at chef Nicholas Bazik’s MICHELIN starred Provenance, and raise a global toast at Rittenhouse Square’s Spice Finch, featuring a Mediterranean menu inspired by herbs and spices of the nations bordering the sea. And of course, for attendees who want to immerse themselves in local culture, a cheesesteak is never too far away.

A sampling from Spice Finch.

Looking Ahead: More Travel Options for International Attendees

Philadelphia International Airport serves more than 130 destinations, including 39 international cities, with around 400 daily departures. Expanding Philadelphia’s international reach even further, American Airlines recently launched nonstop service to European destinations including Budapest, Hungary; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Prague, Czechia. The airline is also expanding its transatlantic lineup with new routes to  Copenhagen, Denmark; Porto, Portugal; Reykjavik, Iceland ; and Vienna, Austria. The airport is undergoing major capital improvements, with long-term master plans detailing expansion capacity for up to 20 new gates by 2040.  

As more attendees arrive in Philadelphia, the city’s hotel community is keeping pace. Recent hotel openings near the Pennsylvania Convention Center include the 202-room Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Downtown and the 96-unit The Heid Lofts by Reside, along with recent renovations to The Bellevue and Loews Philadelphia hotels. Preview new properties that will open their doors in the coming years and use our venue and services search tool to find the perfect place for your attendees. 

A room at the Element Philadelphia.

Elevate your next international meeting—submit your RFP to host it in Philadelphia!