About Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a remarkable history and spirit shaped by its incredible location on the East Coast. This grand old city has been a player in the United States since its inception. It is called The Cradle of Liberty, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.
Home to more than 6 million people in the metropolitan area, Philadelphia is considered one of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation. As one of the oldest major cities in America, Philadelphia served as a cultural hub during the Revolutionary War and continues to be an influential center for business, finance, and education.
The city is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and world-renowned universities, including Penn State University and Drexel University. With its strategic location between New York and Washington D.C., Philly is an ideal host for corporate seminars, conventions, and retreats. The city has diverse venues, including traditional meeting rooms, conference centers, museums, historical buildings, and outdoor parks.
Corporate Event Options in Philadelphia
- Catering Services
Professional catering companies provide delicious food options tailored to your needs; from appetizers to elaborate buffets, they can provide everything necessary for a memorable dining experience. They assist with drink selection, bar staffing, tabletop design, staff uniforms, rental equipment, and cleanup services.
- Audio/Visual Solutions
The audio-visual setup adds professionalism to any presentation. Rental companies provide diverse A/V solutions, such as sound systems, projectors, and digital signage, helping bring presentations or seminars to life through technology. High-quality speakers and TVs are necessary for activities that require visibility from a large group of people.
- Event Decorations
Hiring event decorators brings your vision to life through lighting design and custom décor pieces, such as furniture hire and floral arrangements. It helps create an inviting atmosphere by combining different textures, such as fabrics, flowers, and candles. Professional lighting design can also give an extra special touch by providing a variety of colors, patterns, and textures at different times.
- Photographers
Professional photographers capture candid moments of the guests with technical skill. Additionally, these professionals can document events for future use in reports or marketing material.
Corporate Event Vendors in Philadelphia
- Stephanie Nolt Photography
Stephanie Nolt Photography is an award-winning photography studio offering a wide range of services for corporate and private clients. With over 15 years of experience, Stephanie has established herself as one of the leading photographers in the Philadelphia area. Stephanie specializes in fashion, commercial, event, wedding, portrait, and headshot photography. Her team provides additional support with lighting technicians, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, and set stylists to collaborate for the perfect shot.
- Fine Design Associates, Inc.
Fine Design Associates, Inc. is a premier full-service design firm offering comprehensive lighting design services to clients across the United States. Founded in 1992 by Paul Fine, an experienced lighting designer, and Temple University graduate, the company excels at creating stunning visuals for events, exhibitions, tradeshows, and corporate functions. Fine Design Associates, Inc. uses the latest lighting technology to ensure the event looks its best. Their knowledgeable team of designers works with all venues and creates tailored plans that fit within your budget and timeline.
- M3.Catering
M3.Catering is a top-quality, affordable catering provider for all businesses. Their tailored services meet the needs of each company and its passionate chefs, servers, and mixologists, M3. Catering is the perfect choice for any occasion. From corporate lunches and fundraising events to business mixers, product launches, or work picnics, they offer an extensive selection of catering options with dietary restrictions taken into consideration and custom-crafted cocktails, beer, and wine selections.
Pros and Cons of Corporate Event Venues in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has strong historical roots, an exciting cultural scene, and a vibrant social life, making it an attractive destination for corporate events. However, it is essential to consider the pros and cons of organizing a corporate event in Philadelphia.
Advantages
- Easy accessibility: Located on the eastern seaboard, Philadelphia is easily accessible by plane, train, or car from neighboring cities along the East Coast. It makes it an ideal destination for regional meetings or retreats.
- Pleasant climate: The weather in Philadelphia is milder than in other cities in the northeast region, making it comfortable year-round for outdoor activities or sightseeing during corporate events.
- Abundant cultural attractions: Philadelphia offers vast options for cultural activities, such as visiting sites like the Liberty Bell or enjoying a live performance at the Kimmel Center.
Disadvantages
- Lack of space: As a metropolitan area, Philadelphia can be crowded and lack spacious venues suitable for large corporate gatherings.
- Crowded accommodations: With so many tourists visiting Philadelphia each year, finding accommodations close to your venue may be difficult since hotels are often booked solid months in advance.
- Traffic congestion: Rush hour traffic can make getting around during peak times challenging and cause delays in getting to your destination on time.
Tips on How to Organize Corporate Events in Philadelphia
Organizing and hosting a successful corporate event requires many details to be taken care of. Here are some tips on how to make sure that your corporate event in Philadelphia is a success.
- Secure Necessary Permits: Depending on the corporate event, you may need special permits or licenses from the City of Philadelphia to proceed with the activity. Check local laws and regulations before committing to venues or vendors so that everything goes smoothly on the day of your event.
- Plan an Agenda: Creating an agenda for the day (or evening) will ensure everyone understands the program and when things are happening. It will also help manage expectations, what activities need to be completed by certain times throughout the event, like snacks time or speeches should begin, and how long each activity should last.
- Prepare Food & Beverages: Providing food and drinks during your corporate event is essential for its success. Do some research beforehand about what types of dietary restrictions may exist among your guests so that you can plan accordingly; offering both healthy and indulgent options is usually best.
- Make It Inviting: Even though this is a business event, making it inviting can increase participation levels and engagement from your guests. Consider decorations, such as balloons or posters, simple giveaways like pens with company branding, or interactive activities like trivia games that will get people involved throughout the night.
- Have Fun Activities Planned: Corporate events don’t have to be all work and no play! Consider adding fun activities into the mix, like team-building exercises, karaoke or trivia contests, and prizes for good performance, sure to keep everyone engaged throughout your event.
Famous Locations in Philadelphia
- Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary stands like a castle in the middle of urban Philadelphia. The massive and haunting building was constructed in 1829 and designed as the first "slammer." The prison was a technological marvel of its time, costing $800,000 to build, and remained in use for 142 years, housing notorious criminals like Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Today, Eastern State has been re-opened to the public, and visitors can take a self-guided audio tour featuring interviews with former inmates and guards, narrated by actor and director Steve Buscemi.
- The Dream Garden
Located east of the Curtis Center is a remarkable piece of art called The Dream Garden. This one-of-a-kind mural, created by the renowned designer Louis C. Tiffany, features a breathtaking landscape based on the work of Maxfield Parrish. What makes this mural remarkable is its composition, being made of 100,000 pieces of hand-blown glass, which took six months to install back in 1916. The mural measures 15 feet by 49 feet and contains more than 260 color tones, making it one of the most massive Tiffany creations in the world.
- Elfreth's Alley Museum
Elfreth's Alley Museum is a charming residential street with a rich colonial history that dates back to the 1720s. It is one of the oldest continuously used residential streets in the United States, and it features narrow cobblestone alleyways, with 32 well-preserved Federal and Georgian row houses. These historic houses met the growing need for more homes in Philadelphia and were originally an active commerce site. Locals inhabit most residences, but one of the brick houses periodically opens as a museum showcasing a piece of cultural heritage.