Historic Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia, PA photo courtesy: PHL CVB
Like the National Constitution Center I had visited the day before, The Barnes also was built-to-suit, meaning, it serves not only as a collection, but it was con- structed with the idea of hosting groups, as well.Walking in, I am confronted with an organization holding its holiday party within The Light Court, a vast space cast- ing filtered natural illumination from above, and offering a lovely, manicured outside patio companion. This, in turn, gazes out toward the stately Rodin Museum just beyond.
Outfitted with a stylish café called the Garden Restaurant (another workable event space), a 143-seat auditorium (I smell the comfy real-leather chairs from the moment I enter it), and boasting a LEED Platinumcertification,The Barnes is one of this city’s winning-est venues for the arts and events.
Taking a Ride on the Reading Railroad –
I enter this city’s number one attraction: Reading Terminal Market. The Reading Railroad no longer passes through this former train shed,and thank goodness for that; the market has the most fragrant, tasty, and dare-I-say hectic merchant scenes anywhere in this country. The expansive list of purveyors at the Reading Terminal - Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, confectioners, diners, seafood
70 January February 2015
and produce shops,cheesemongers,and, of course, Philly’s cross-section of steak sandwich, pizza, Italian roast pork, barbe- cue, Cajun and Greek fooderies - is so extensive as to be beyond belief.
I almost opt for theTravel Channel’s pick – America’s Top Sandwich - at DiNic’s (for its Italian roast pork), but, instead, I cheesesteak-out a place called By George!
I may be a tourist today, but I’m still a Philly boy at heart, so a good steak sand- wich is a necessity for me every so often.
Two Million Square Feet of Reasons to Visit Philly –
I’m seated across from Lorenz
Hassenstein who is the general manager of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. I cut to the chase, asking him pointedly, “After all of the labor union issues that have plagued this behemoth of a center, why should planners consider conven- tions here?”
Lorenz smiles and easily answers, “Our biggest change is in our cooperative spir- it. We embrace diversity more than ever before, and almost all of our employees live in this state.” Lorenz doesn’t pull punches; he knows that his center’s rep had been tarnished by its past mistakes.
I Phlash-transit my way back to my car and begin to make my way out of the city.
The trip was insightful. I learned things I never knew before about my home- town. I saw cool sights and I ate great food.
There’ s just one problem: Two days isn’ t nearly enough time to experience Philadelphia!
Ken Alan is theVice President of Concierge Services for Equus Capital Partners. He is the founder of the Philadelphia Concierge Association and a
contributor for several regional publications.
kalan@bpgltd.com
“Before we were running a
building.Now we are serving customers.”
The new addition of SMG, one of - if not the - premier facility management com- panies in the U.S.,has taken the reigns and is running toward making the PA Convention Center the best venue that it can be. The union laborers have solidi- fied. The customer comes first. There’s now one overseer - SMG.
This is a wholly new experience for con- vention planners and their constituents.
“We once had a hassle-factor. Now we have an easy factor.”
My time as a tourist has come to an end.
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