PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU CONTINUES BOOKING MOMENTUM; SECURES NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2017 CONVENTION & SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY

Philadelphia, PA…January 27, 2016 – More than 10 years after its last annual convention in Philadelphia, the National Medical Association (NMA), the nation's oldest and largest organization representing African American physicians and health professionals in the United States, will host its annual convention and scientific assembly in Philadelphia in July 2017.

Booked by the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), the NMA convention, which was last held in Philadelphia in 2003, will convene more than 3,500 attendees from July 27 – August 3 and will generate more than $5 million in economic impact for the city. Philadelphia has been in pursuit of the group for several years and the PHLCVB was able to advance discussions with NMA following the implementation of progressive changes at the Pennsylvania Convention Center as of May 2014.

"We are excited to be coming to Philadelphia. The overall city package – from the walkability to the hotel options – was a huge selling point for us that we felt would enhance our attendees' experience,” said Martin Hamlette, NMA executive director. “The changes at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, which include greater cost transparency, also made Philadelphia an attractive destination for us.”

Dr. Edith P. Mitchell, NMA president, stated “the numerous medical and academic institutions in Philadelphia contribute to a rich environment for medical education programs. This, coupled with the vast cultural options impacted the selection of Philadelphia for the 2017 NMA Convention and Assembly.”

Since the implementation of new work rules and expanded exhibitor rights at the facility, several conventions have selected Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Convention Center for major meetings or rebooked the Center after hosting a meeting. Most recently, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced a mere six months after a successful convention in June 2015, that it would make its return to Philadelphia in 2019.

“As a city rich in diversity as well as medical history, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to host this historically significant organization,” said Julie Coker Graham, PHLCVB president and CEO. “NMA's selection of Philadelphia bodes well for our city. This convention is a short-term piece of business that will help fill need periods for our hotels, generating significant impact for our economy next summer.”

“The Pennsylvania Convention Center and SMG are honored to welcome back the prestigious African American physicians and health professionals of the National Medical Association (NMA),” said John J. McNichol, president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. “Since we last hosted NMA, our Convention Center has undergone a tremendous transformation to a customer-focused business model. Our center will partner with NMA to bring its successful convention to Philadelphia.”

PHLCVB-booked convention groups currently on the books for future years are expected to bring more than 1.9 million attendees to Philadelphia and consume over 2.9 million room nights, generating an estimated more than $4 billion in total economic impact for the Philadelphia region.

The NMA is a national professional and scientific organization committed to improving the quality of health among minorities and disadvantaged people through its membership, professional development, community health education, advocacy, research and partnership with federal and private agencies. The NMA has repeatedly advocated for policies that would assure equitable and quality health care for all people.

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Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), www.discoverPHL.com , a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center. The PHLCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has departments dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.