2018 PHLCVB Annual Luncheon

The PHLCVB Annual Luncheon is the hospitality industry’s biggest and best networking event – the day before Thanksgiving every year in Philadelphia. 

The Tork Club at Lincoln Financial Field served as a fantastic venue for the 2018 Annual Luncheon, offering attendees a large, beautiful space to network while celebrating the year’s successes. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Large letters spelling out ‘PHLCVB’ greeted guests as they began their self-guided tour of the stadium. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Members posed for selfies with team cheerleaders and other Philadelphia football photo ops. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Mascots from the major Philadelphia sports teams, including the internet sensation Gritty, joined in on the celebration. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

The annual luncheon serves as a great opportunity for members to reconnect and share stories from the previous year. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Unsurprisingly, Gritty managed to steal the show shortly after his arrival at Lincoln Financial Field. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Members enjoyed a special menu of Philadelphia-themed snacks and spirits. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Former Philadelphia wide receiver, Jason Avant, greeted members at the Annual Luncheon while also posing for photos and signing autographs. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Philadelphia football mascot, Swoop, poses for a selfie with an attendee. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Guests network with one another ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday at the PHLCVB Annual Luncheon. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Pictured from left to right: Philadelphia Eagles President Don Smolenski, PHLCVB Board Chairman Nick DeBenedictis, PHLCVB President and CEO Julie Coker and Brent Celek. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Former Philadelphia tight end, Brent Celek, joins PHLCVB President and CEO, Julie Coker, on stage at the 2018 Annual Luncheon. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

The Annual Luncheon welcomed over 1,200 attendees from Philadelphia’s hospitality and tourism communities. Proceeds from the event went to the PHLCVB Foundation. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Pictured from left to right: PHLCVB Board Chairman Nick DeBenedictis, PHLCVB President and CEO Julie Coker, and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

Members enjoyed self-guided tours of Lincoln Financial Field, including access to the player locker rooms and field. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

PHLCVB President and CEO (and huge Philadelphia football fan) Julie Coker. Photo by Wise Owl Multimedia.

The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed over 1,200 of our members and partners to Lincoln Financial Field for the 2018 PHLCVB Annual Luncheon. The luncheon serves as an opportunity for Philadelphia’s hospitality community to celebrate another year of positive growth. Proceeds from the event will go towards the PHLCVB Foundation, whose primary goal is to support activities that help position and promote Philadelphia as a top-tier travel destination.

The event featured several experiences that celebrated Philadelphia’s 2017 championship football campaign, including appearances by former players Jason Avant and Brent Celek, as well as special interactive elements such as opportunities to tour the locker room, pass through the player’s tunnel, and pose with the championship trophy on the field.

At the luncheon, Philadelphia Eagles President Don Smolenski joined PHLCVB President and CEO Julie Coker and PHLCVB Board Chairman Nick DeBenedictis for a brief program which shared highlights from the past year in Philadelphia sports and tourism, including the PHLCVB’s new #FranklyPhiladelphia campaign.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2018 ANNUAL LUNCHEON SPONSORS:

Freedom to be Frank:

• Pennsylvania Convention Center

Freedom of Assembly:

• Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
• Comcast NBCUniversal

Freedom of Expression:

• PECO
• KeyBank

Freedom of Enlightenment:

• Philadelphia OIC
• Xfinity Live! Philadelphia
• Aqua America
• Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
• Temple University School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management
• Tempest
• Advanced Staging Productions
• SEPTA
• Delilah’s Gentlemen’s Club & Steakhouse
• Hersha Hospitality Management
• IBEW Local Union 98
• Citizens Bank
• Harrah’s Philadelphia

Freedom of Speech:

• The Philadelphia Tribune Media Group
• Philadelphia Auto Show
• Philly Home Show
• The Phillies
• Philadelphia Magazine
• Republic Bank
• Marketplace PHL
• Life Sciences Pennsylvania
• PIDC
• Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board
• Imperial Events Security Services
• Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
• Philadelphia 201 Hotel & Renaissance Philadelphia Airport Hotel
• Philadelphia International Airport
• PSAV
• Independence Visitor Center Corporation
• Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association
• Brûlée Catering
• Sofitel Philadelphia
• The Franklin Institute
• The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
• Philadelphia Union
• SugarHouse Casino
• Courtyard Philadelphia City Avenue
• Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
• Stockton & Partners Meetings and Events
• Loews Philadelphia Hotel
• aramark/SFS
• Synterra, Ltd/Synterra Partners
• Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing
• Visit Philadelphia
• Community College of Philadelphia
• PHL Diversity
• PHL Sports
• PHL Life Sciences

In Kind:

• Special Events at Lincoln Financial Field
• Aramark Sports & Entertainment
• IMS Technology Services
• CORT Event Furnishings
• Freeman
• BVTLive!
• Choice Party Linens
• Magnificent Floral Events
• Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours
• Replica Creative
• Karma Agency
• Artcraft Promotional Concepts
• Wise Owl Multimedia

Mark your calendars for the next PHLCVB Annual Luncheon, Wednesday, November 27, 2019!