In a strong vote of confidence for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Convention Center, American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) selected the city for its 2023 Scientific Assembly.
Booked by the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), the annual ACEP assembly was last held in Philadelphia in 2000 prior to the opening of the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center.
After returning for a site visit last April, the group was impressed by Philadelphia’s growth as a city over the last decade, in addition to the changes at the Center under SMG’s management, and the strength of the life sciences community within the region. ACEP 2023 is expected to attract more than 12,000 attendees using 21,855 total hotel room nights and generating more than $29.6 million in economic impact for Philadelphia.
“Philadelphia’s revitalized downtown area will be a strong attraction for our emergency physicians and allied health care providers who work in emergency medicine,” said Robert Heard, associate executive director for Membership and Education, ACEP. “What drove our selection of Philadelphia was the change that has taken place in the city over the years, from the cultural, entertainment and dining options, to the city’s history and walkability, and most importantly the changes that have taken place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, which will offer a tremendous setting for our attendees as they receive the highest quality education at the world’s largest emergency medicine educational conference.”
ACEP also took advantage of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Citywide Auction, an annual promotion where a convention at a featured destination is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Open since January, the auction gives the winning bidder space at the Convention Center as well as other Philadelphia-specific offerings. ACEP used the ‘Buy-Now’ option to secure Philadelphia with proceeds going toward the PCMA Education Foundation.
“Philadelphia is a premier convention destination, and their participation in PCMA’s Citywide Auction further demonstrates their continued commitment to our industry,” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, PCMA. “ACEP secured incredible value for their organization and members through our auction, and their support for PCMA and our industry is very much appreciated.”
In total, more than $100 million in new business for future years has been booked into the Pennsylvania Convention Center since the implementation of new work rules and expanded exhibitor rights at the facility in May. Other groups that have booked include the American Association for Cancer Research ($41 million in economic impact), the National Association of Black MBAs ($19.5 million in economic impact), the American Industrial Hygiene Association ($16.2 million in economic impact) and the National Business Media tradeshow ($3.8 million).
“The momentum continues with ACEP joining the list of conventions that have selected Philadelphia for their meetings,” said Julie Coker Graham, executive vice president, PHLCVB.
Graham traveled to Chicago this week to present Robert Heard with a gift on behalf of the hospitality industry in Philadelphia.
“ACEP has witnessed Philadelphia’s evolution as a city as well as the changes made at the Pennsylvania Convention Center over the last year, and as we move toward the end of 2014, our hope is that other groups will sit up, take notice and consider Philadelphia as a destination for a future meeting,” added Graham.
ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine and is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. The meeting brings together emergency physicians from across the country for more than 350 educational courses, labs and workshops featuring the most pressing issues facing medicine.
“We are honored to welcome back the more than 12,000 dedicated physicians and medical personnel of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Their unique commitment to the well-being of others is inspiring,” said Gregory J. Fox, chairman, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “This year, we’ve made significant improvements to our customer service, focusing on the collaborative relationship with our trade unions, the best management practices of SMG and a friendlier floor for our exhibitors. We thank ACEP for sharing our vision and for recognizing the positive changes that have taken place at the Convention Center.”
ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.
ACEP’s 2014 Annual Meeting is taking place in Chicago this week from Oct. 27-30
