Philadelphia Convention And Vistors Bureau Foundation

MISSION/PURPOSE: THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU FOUNDATION ("FOUNDATION") WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2002 TO CONDUCT PUBLIC, CHARITABLE, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TO ATTRACT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THOSE ACTIVITIES FROM FOUNDATIONS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE FOUNDATION HAS A 501(C)(3) TAX-EXEMPT STATUS BECAUSE ITS ACTIVITIES ARE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL. THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE, BEAUTIFY, AND CELEBRATE PHILADELPHIA IN AN EFFORT TO STIMULATE THE CITY'S TOURISM INDUSTRY. TOGETHER WITH ITS PARTNERS, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT MAKE THE CITY MORE INVITING TO VISITORS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ATTENDING A CONVENTION OR SPECIAL EVENT, OR VISITORS TRAVELING FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION HELPS PHILADELPHIANS PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR CAREERS IN THE REGION'S DYNAMIC HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AND ASSISTS CORPORATE VIS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT : THE FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA AND MANY OTHER HOSPITALITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE PHILADELPHIA AS A DYNAMIC TRAVEL DESTINATION AND LOCATION FOR LARGE EVENTS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE REGIONAL EFFORTS THAT LEAD TO PHILADELPHIA HOSTING PREMIER EVENTS, SUCH AS THE CITY'S SUCCESSFUL BID TO HOST THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026. PHILADELPHIA WAS ONE OF 17 U.S. CITIES VYING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOST ONE OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SPORTING EVENTS, A PROCESS THAT BEGIN IN 2017. LEADING THE EFFORT WAS PHILADELPHIA SOCCER 2026, THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA'S OFFICIAL FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 BID COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDES DOZENS OF PARTNERS FROM ACROSS THE SPORTS, BUSINESS, AND HOSPITALITY COMMUNITIES. PHILADELPHIA WAS OFFICIALLY SELECTED AS A HOST CITY IN JUNE 2022.

HOSPITALITY EDUCATION: THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT TRAIN AND EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS FOR CAREERS IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR. IT PROVIDES FOR AN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP (MARIE BAKER BROWN SCHOLARSHIP) FOR HOSPITALITY STUDENTS ENROLLED AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES. IT PRODUCES PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CAREERS IN THE HOSPITALITY FIELD. THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO ENSURE THAT PHILADELPHIA'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AND BENEFIT FROM THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS DRIVEN BY THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY SUPPORT: THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROGRAMS THAT HIGHLIGHT AND SUPPORT THE REGION'S DYNAMIC HOSPITALITY SECTOR. IT SUPPORTS EVENTS THAT SHOWCASE AND CELEBRATE THE WORK OF EVERYONE EMPLOYED IN THE REGION'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. BY HIGHLIGHTING EXISTING EMPLOYEES AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE FOUNDATION HELPS DEVELOP A ROBUST WORKFORCE FOR THE REGIONAL HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS TOURISM DIVERSITY MATTERS, THE COLLABORATIVE LEADER OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI) INITIATIVES AND CONCEPTS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT & OUTREACH: THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROJECTS SUCH AS PHL CARES, A HIGH-IMPACT, BUSINESS-LED RESPONSE TO PHILADELPHIA'S CHRONIC STREET HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM MOBILIZING RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP FOR REAL SOLUTIONS - HOUSING, JOBS AND SERVICES - TO END HOMELESSNESS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED THE DESIGN OF PHLCARES.COM AND PROMOTIONAL ASSETS. IT ALSO SUPPORTS KEY INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PHILADELPHIA AND TO BEAUTIFY AND ENHANCE HIGHPROFILE PUBLIC SPACES. ITS GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT PARKS, HISTORICAL SITES, MONUMENTS, AND BUILDINGS - PARTICULARLY THOSE LOCATED IN THE CITY'S HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND CONVENTION CORRIDORS - REMAIN WELL MAINTAINED AND WELCOMING TO THE PUBLIC.