An Open Thank You Letter to Our Hospitality Community

To Our Hospitality Community,

This summer, visitors from nearly 200 countries knocked on our city’s door, and you opened it— wide, and with a smile.

In a four-week span, Philadelphia hosted six FIFA World Cup 26 matches, culminating in the July 4th match that overlapped with the once-in-a-generation 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing, which took place right here. In a matter of days, we traded our red cards and fireworks for bats and mitts, handing the city stage over to baseball fans. We welcomed MLB All-Star Week, with events including the All-Star Village at our Pennsylvania Convention Center, and the Home Run Derby and MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.

And while the crowds at FIFA Fan Festival, on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, lining Independence Mall, or taking to social media, tell their own stories of brotherly love and sisterly affection, the heart of what made these last few weeks so remarkable was our people—Philadelphia’s hospitality and tourism community.

It wasn’t the players, the celebrities, or even the visitors who made the lasting impression; it was you. The concierge who learned to say “welcome” in six (or more!) languages; the driver who gave countless rides to “Philadelphia Stadium” (or “The Linc” as we all know it); the servers who brought meals with a smile; and the security guard who kept visitors safe. Countless individuals across the city’s hospitality workforce turned a global spectacle into something that felt, unmistakably, like home.

When visitors from across the world arrived, most expected nothing but a great tournament and maybe a cheesesteak. But what they found was a city that treats hospitality like a civic duty; one that treats visitors like friends. And that’s not an accident. That’s who we are—it’s Philadelphia at its core.

So, here’s to everyone who made this summer so unforgettable. Your presence and welcoming spirit made a lasting impression. One that will, undoubtably, bring new and returning visitors to the city. You didn’t just host the world; you made the world feel at home.

With gratitude,
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau