The new annual report details the overall performance of meetings, conventions, events, and international tourism.
PHILADELPHIA – Today, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) and Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) published their joint 2025 Annual Report, releasing key data points and major milestones, laying the groundwork for the city’s success in 2026.
In 2025, Philadelphia hosted 304 events booked by the PHLCVB. In total, 16 of the events were citywides, conventions, or events that generate more than 2,000 hotel rooms on their peak night. Overall, Philadelphia welcomed 559,304 attendees from these events, resulting in 529,144 hotel room nights delivering a total economic impact of $496 million.
“We are proud to share the results of a year that prioritized long-term success for our industry and our city,” said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the PHLCVB. “In 2025, we not only strengthened our partnership with the Pennsylvania Convention Center but also built a strong pipeline for future and returning business, sporting, and special events in Philadelphia.
“Key drivers in bringing meetings and conventions to Philadelphia from significant market sectors are the PHLCVB’s unique business development divisions: PHL Life Sciences, PHL Diversity, and PHL Sports.
In 2025, PHL Life Sciences hosted 85 events, attracting more than 70,000 attendees and nearly 147,000 hotel room nights. PHL Diversity-related events included more than 27,000 attendees and nearly 40,000 hotel room nights. PHL Sports helped draw nearly 260,000 fans to Philadelphia, generating 108,000 hotel room nights from events like the NCAA DI Men’s Wrestling Championship and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
“The events hosted at our facility and booked by our partner PHLCVB continue to serve as the major economic drivers of the region’s hospital sector,” said John J. McNichol, president and CEO of the PCCA. “We recognize that the convention and meetings industry is a highly competitive landscape, which is why we are constantly seeking to add new amenities, enhance our sustainable business practices, and improve the overall customer and guest experience at our facility.”
The PHLCVB and PCCA reached a major milestone in 2025 by expanding their partnership with the launch of the strategic alliance sales model. The model is designed to accelerate bookings, enhance service consistency, and sharpen Philadelphia’s competitive edge by delivering a more unified, efficient, and client-focused experience.
The PHLCVB is the official global tourism agency for the City of Philadelphia, with 10 international markets currently. In 2025, Philadelphia welcomed 1.025 million international visitors, contributing to a total economic impact of $1 billion. The city’s top international markets for visitors include Canada (411,900, down 23% YOY), the United Kingdom (84,100, down 11% YOY), India (64,600, up 3% YOY), Germany (42,000, down 24% YOY), and China (34,200, up 5% YOY).
To read the full annual report, visit discoverPHL.com.
About the PHLCVB:
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) creates positive economic impact across the Philadelphia region, driving job growth and promoting the health and vibrancy of our hospitality industry by marketing the destination, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and attracting overnight visitors. The PHLCVB’s work engages our partners, the local Philadelphia community, as well as culturally and ethnically diverse regional, national, and international convention, sporting event, and tourism customers. The PHLCVB is also the official tourism promotion agency for the city of Philadelphia globally and is responsible for increasing the number of international leisure visitors to the region each year. To learn more, visit www.discoverPHL.com. For high-resolution photos and videos, story starters, press trip information, and more, visit discoverPHL.com/press-room.
About the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority:
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in Center City Philadelphia at the heart of the city’s many cultural offerings and world-class dining and entertainment scene. Managed by Legends Global, the Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features one of the largest exhibit spaces and ballrooms in the Northeastern U.S. The meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events hosted by the Center attract attendees from across the country and around the world to Philadelphia, making the facility the largest economic driver of the region’s hospitality industry. For more information, visit www.paconvention.com.
