About Philadelphia
Philadelphia, the storied city where America's founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, is a rich tapestry of historical significance and modern vibrancy. This city, nestled in the heart of the Northeastern United States, is notable for its pivotal role in American history, dynamic cultural scene, and its status as an economic hub. Philadelphia is home to America’s first zoo and first hospital, underlining its long-standing commitment to community welfare and development.
Philadelphia’s capacity to host meetings and corporate events is unparalleled, boasting various meeting rooms, conference rooms, and event venues that cater to every need—from high-powered business meetings in state-of-the-art meeting room rentals to private events in more intimate meeting spaces.
The city's infrastructure supports a wide range of corporate events, with versatile meeting room options and conference room rentals designed to foster productivity and innovation. The city's historical depth and modern vibe make Philadelphia an ideal destination for professional gatherings, combining convenience with the unique charm of one of America’s oldest cities.
Meeting Options in Philadelphia
Once you decide on the meeting room in Philadelphia, you need to start looking for the bones of the meeting like the catering, equipment rental, and transportation companies. Philly has a plethora of great choices.
Equipment Rental
From the basic audio and visual equipment to the fancy touchscreen video walls, there are equipment rental companies that can provide what you need. Whether you need laptops, tablets, IT services, or even hologram displays, Philly has it.
Transportation
Depending on the type of meeting and what event space in Philadelphia you choose, you may want to provide transportation services as well. Having a car service pick up your clients from the airport and deliver them to the meeting will give them a great first impression. It is also a great idea to get everyone there on time and back safely.
Caterer
Another way to impress the clients and make employees feel appreciated is to hire a professional caterer. Philly has a variety of them that can do anything from a sushi bar to a formal five-course meal. Make sure the famous Philly cheesesteak is on the menu if you have people coming in from out of town.
Photographer
You may not think you need a photographer at a meeting, but every event has memories that people want to preserve. From first-time meetings to awards ceremonies, having a professional there to capture the important moments is important for employee morale and satisfaction.
Meeting Companies in Philadelphia
If you need help organizing your meeting, Philly has a large number of professional and well-known meeting room companies that can help. Talk to one of these meeting planners and see what they can do for you.
Roberts Event Group
Roberts Event Group in Philadelphia can organize both high-profile board meetings and dynamic team meetings. Renowned for their meticulous event planners, they possess the expertise to elevate your next event beyond the ordinary. Their comprehensive approach ensures every detail is managed with precision, from venue selection to logistics. Whether it's a strategic executive gathering or a collaborative team-building session, Roberts Event Group brings professionalism and innovation, making every occasion memorable and impactful.
Iron Peacock Events
Whether you want someone to plan your whole business meeting including finding the perfect meeting space in Philadelphia or just need a little help with organizing, Iron Peacock will do it all. They start by identifying your event goals and work from there to make it perfect. Satisfied clients include ROI Institute, Convention South, and Spin.
Stockton & Partners
No matter what Philadelphia meeting space you choose, Stockton & Partners has over 20 years of experience in producing successful and strategic content-rich meetings, whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid. Some of their past clients include Comcast, AT&T, and the Franklin Institute.
Pros and Cons of Meeting Spaces in Philadelphia
Before you decide to rent a meeting venue in Philadelphia, think about the pros and cons of doing it in the city. Some of the cons may be a dealbreaker for you, so it's good to be informed of them.
Advantages
Location, location, location
Philadelphia is right in the middle of Washington, D.C., and New York City. It is also within a short driving distance from many major cities like Baltimore, Boston, and Richmond.
Walking distance
Philly is the fourth most walkable city in the US according to Redfin. If you play your cards right, you can get a hotel, meeting space, and entertainment all in one spot. Then, you don’t have to worry about traffic.
Easy to find hotels
Speaking of hotels, Philadelphia is known for its variety of hotels and resorts with over 42,000 rooms within the city’s center. Whether you want a cozy cottage by the Delaware River or a trendy penthouse with a view, you can find it in Philly.
Historic sites
Known as America’s birthplace, you can start at the Independence Visitor Center and walk to the Liberty Bell Center to see the iconic bell. Then you can visit the Museum of the American Revolution and Benjamin Franklin Museum nearby.
Public transportation
Philly has a plethora of transportation options for visitors and residents alike. The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) maintains trolleys, commuter rail, rapid transit, and buses as well as Amtrak and taxi service.
Disadvantages
High crime rate
Philly is one of the worst cities as far as crime goes, with 38 major crimes per 1,000 residents and more than 98% of the cities in Pennsylvania having less crime. Some of the neighborhoods in Philly with the least crime include Chestnut Hill, East Falls, and Highland.
Traffic is bad
According to the 2020 Global Traffic Scorecard, Philadelphia was ranked fifth in the world with the worst traffic and the second-worst in the United States. In fact, drivers lost approximately 94 hours in 2020 due to traffic jams.
Parking is worse
After getting stuck in traffic most of the day, you may also spend another hour or more trying to find a parking space. And the city has started charging drivers for parking on streets that used to be free.
Winter is cold
If you do not like the cold and snow, you may not want to schedule your meeting during the winter. Philly gets about 20 inches of snow per year and the temperature is often below freezing.
Liquor laws
Because liquor licenses are so hard to get in Philly, you may find yourself going to a different city for a drink. In fact, liquor and wine can only be bought in wine and spirit stores that are owned by the state, but you can find beer in many delis and distributors.
Famous Locations in Philadelphia
National Historic Park
Because of the extensive history in Philadelphia, you should not miss the National Historic Park. You can visit Independence Hall to see where the Declaration of Independence was signed and see the Liberty Bell at the Liberty Bell Center. Stay nearby in a trendy studio in Old City where you can enjoy the amazing views before heading to your meeting space.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Whether you enjoy art or just want to see this amazing 3,000 square feet of mosaics by artist Isaiah Zagar, the Magic Gardens is not to be missed. The outside is full of objects and artifacts from Zagar’s travels and the gallery boasts work from artists all over the world. It is a fun place to get some great photos while you are in Philadelphia for your meeting.
Wonderspaces
If you like unique art, visit Wonderspaces where they have some stunning work by artists all over the world. Some of the popular ones include Submergence, which is a light show with 8,000 hanging light bulbs, and Black Balloons, which is a group of black balloons floating in parallel planes. Book a luxe condo near Wonderspaces to relax in style before the meeting.
