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VISIT

PHILADELPHIA
MESSAGING
TOOLKIT
2017-18

BUCKS | CHESTER | DELAWARE | MONTGOMERY | PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES


ING OF M E ,
DEAR THINK self on being a p lace whe re creative,
io n . Iv e a lw ays p rided my an d m ake th e ir marks .
Im all about pass le co m e to li v e , work, play
co lla b o rative peo p
deter m in e d a n d
ce that lov e s y ou back .
out m o re ab o ut me, the pla
r ou g h t he s e p a g es to find
Flip th

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Philadelphia impresses peopleand for good
reasons. People cant stop talking about our
arts, food, neighborhoods and all-around
greatness. And since being the first U.S.
capital, weve kept up our trendsetting, first-
to-do-it style.
BRAGGING
RIGHTS Brag until youre blue in the face!
Because Phillys been named...
50 Best Places to Travel in 2017 Travel + Leisure
#2 on Best Places to Visit in the USA U.S. News & World
Report (2017)
#1 on Best in the U.S. Lonely Planet (2016)
Go List 2016 Fodors
#3 on 52 Places to Go in 2015 The New York Times
#7 on The 10 Best Gay-Friendly Neighborhoods in America
Oyster.com (2017)
A few of our firsts: meeting of Congress, public school,
hospital, flag, newspaper, black self-help organization, bank,
free lending library, university, postal route, volunteer fire
company, law school, stock exchange, U.S. Mint building and
U.S. World Heritage City.

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Its truewe love to eat. And were about more than cheesesteaks
and soft pretzels. Praise constantly pours in from The New York
Times, The Washington Post, Bon Apptit, Travel + Leisure and the
like.
Think street food, BYOBs, sidewalk seating reminiscent of European
cities, craft pizza, vegetarian and vegan eateries, ethnic eateries and
the storied Reading Terminal Market and Italian Market.

FOOD
Chew on this

In 2017, three Philadelphia foodpreneurs took home coveted James


Beard Awards: Michael Solomonov, Outstanding Chef; Greg Vernick,
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic; and Stephen Starr, Outstanding Restaurateur.
The New York Times said we have one of the most dynamic culinary
landscapes in the country.
400 alfresco restaurants.
300 BYOBs.
The cheesesteak is a Philly icon, but many locals think the roast pork
sandwich deserves just as much love.
Philly Style Bagels took the title for best new sandwich in America in
2016. (Bon Apptit, 2016)
80 merchants, including the popular Amish vendors, call Reading
Terminal Market home.
The Italian Market is the countrys oldest outdoor market.
Chinatown Square Food Hall brings all types of Asian eats under one,
immense roof.
The flavors of Africa converge on Baltimore Avenue in West
Philadelphia.
Northeast Philadelphia is home to some of the best Brazilian, Russian,
Peruvian and Middle Eastern food in the city.

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Philadelphia bursts with beauty thanks to lauded art
institutions, progressive arts-based organizations and the
people actually making art.

In our collection: one of the countrys top five art museums

ARTS (Philadelphia Museum of Art); the most stunning assortment


of impressionist, post-impressionist and modern works
under one roof (Barnes Foundation); a mosaic art installation
covering a former vacant lot (Philadelphias Magic Gardens);
and a host of artist collectives (Amber Art and Design, Crane
Arts and Vox Populi).

Mural Capital of the World, with about 4,000 all over the
city.
More public art than any other city in the country.
Many cities have a LOVE sculpture, but Philadelphia has more
than any other city, with iconic LOVE sculptures in Center
City and West Philadelphia and an AMOR sculpturethe
bilingual versionin Logan Square.
Andy Warhols first solo show took place at the still-
provocative Institute of Contemporary Art.
Designed after Paris Champs-lyses, the Benjamin Franklin
Parkway is home to renowned cultural institutions.

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Artistic independence doesnt stop with visual
expression. You can find it in our citys theater
and music scenes too. Large stadium concerts
MUSIC & and Broadway productions play in harmony
THEATER with emerging acts and experimental theater.
Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the
most prolific recording acts in history.
The First Person Arts Festival is the only event in the world
dedicated exclusively to art based on personal experiences.
The annual Celebration of Black Writing brings talented
authors and artists from across the nation.
The Walnut Street Theatre is the oldest theater in the
country.
The movie Creed featured Johnny Brendas, a bar/restaurant/
indie music stalwart.
FringeArts presents theater productions that arewell, on
the fringe.

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Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States and the
countrys first World Heritage City. Our countrys founders met,
discussed, debated and formed a new country here.

That independent streak lives on today. Its a distinctly Philly


attitude and a forward-looking promise thats obvious in

HISTORY
the citys independent shops, owner-run restaurants, artist
collaboratives and grassroots innovation and tech movements.

Known as Phillys original city, the Historic District is home to the


most historic square mile in the country. We have

The two most important documents in U.S. history, the Declaration


of Independence and U.S. Constitution, were drafted and signed
here.

Independence Hall, one of only 20 World Heritage sites in the


country, stands just steps away from the mighty Liberty Bell, a
symbol of the abolitionist movement.

Our Favorite Founder? Benjamin Franklin.

The first major U.S. protest for LGBT rights took place more than 50
years ago in front of Independence Hall.

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church sits on the oldest parcel of land


continuously owned by African-American people.

And Philadelphia was recently named #2 on U.S. News & World


Reports Best Historic Destinations in the USA list.
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NEIGHBORHOODS

Our neighborhoods make up Philadelphias DNA.


Personality-packed districts have their own history,
storied streets, buzzed-about restaurants, artistic
expressions, parks and festivals.

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Rittenhouse: Established, but always evolving. Think Society Hill: Historic, residential, Instagram-worthy.
designer stores, vegan restaurants and its namesake park.
Northern Liberties: A former manufacturing hub, now replete
Graduate Hospital: On any given day: diners, shoppers, with eateries and galleries.
drinkers, neighbors and a healthy dose of baby strollers.
Fishtown: Cond Nast Traveler called it Phillys hottest hood.
Logan Square: Fantastic museums and relaxing green
Queen Village: A laid-back district with picturesque streets,
space along the draw-dropping Benjamin Franklin
pubs and the historic Headhouse Square.
Parkway.
Old City: Restaurants, shops and galleries next to Americas
Fairmount: A residential area with a remarkable dining
most historic square mile.
scene and an enormous former penitentiary.
University City: Our future leaders, all heading to class.
Spring Garden: Beautiful Victorian homes and exciting
new developments. Spruce Hill: Diverse residents, international cuisine and the
always-buzzing Clark Park.
East Passyunk: Food, food and more food.
Cedar Park: Bohemian vibe, cultural diversity and community
Bella Vista: The former Italian neighborhood, now home
spirit.
to residents and restaurants of all backgrounds.
Powelton Village: Stately homes and Drexel Park in a mostly
Market East: Busiest during the workday when people
under-the-radar area.
are heading to meetings, the Pennsylvania Convention
Center and Reading Terminal Market. Chestnut Hill: Loaded with photo-worthy charm and an
abundance of greenery and open spaces.
Callowhill: Live music venues, a growing restaurant scene
and a cluster of independent art showcases. Mt. Airy: Miles of multi-use trails and a historic business
corridor that attracts aspiring entrepreneurs.
Washington Square West: Known for trendy restaurants,
owner-operated boutiques and the Gayborhood. Germantown: Ripe for exploration with unique eateries and
shops that thrive alongside historic attractions.
Chinatown: Phillys vibrant Asian enclave, complete with
killer dim sum and a colorful Friendship Gate. Manayunk: Meaning where we to go drink, its combo
of singles, young families and life-long residents infuses
Pennsport: Rich in Philly tradition with a growing number
Manayunks blue-collar origins with a modern edge.
of new restaurateurs and shop owners.
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Philadelphia sits in an ideal location. Its an
easy train ride from New York and DC, and a
short flight from Boston, Chicago and other
major cities. Public transit, cabs, ride-sharing
LOCATION options and bike share keep people moving
around the city.

Pro tip: Locals love to walk, and its super


simple in Center City because of the grid
layout.
Sixth largest city in the country.
One-quarter of the U.S. population lives within a five-hour
drive.
60% of the countrys population is within a two-hour flight.
Second-most-populous downtown in the country.
Fifth-most-walkable city, according to Walk Score.
435 miles of bike lanes make Philly ideal for two wheels.

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We know how to host an eventwhether
its a once-in-a-generation milestone or an

MAJOR annual blowout.

EVENTS
NFL Draft 2017
2016 Democratic National Convention
Pope Francis visit and World Meeting of Families in 2015
Budweiser Made in America Festival
Philadelphia Marathon
Penn Relays
OutFest
Odunde African-American Street Festival
Feria del Barrio
Chinatown New Year Celebration
Wawa Welcome America

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Our business community thrives, thanks to a cost-effective
environment, a strategic location between the nations financial
hub and its legislative and regulatory center and public and
private investments. Startups and Fortune 500 companies find
success here.

People like to travel to Greater Philadelphia, whether its for


work or pleasure. The travel and tourism industry proves it:

BUSINESS 42 million visitors spent $6.8 billion in 2016.

Visitor spending in Greater Philadelphia:


Generated $11 billion in economic impactor $30
million every day.
Supported 96,600 jobs, with a total paycheck of $3.4
billion.
Generated $634 million in state and local taxes.

25 Fortune 500 companies in the region.


78,000 small businesses (fewer than 500 employees) in the five-
county region, including 68,000 that employ fewer than 20
people.
65 incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces.
More tax breaks than any other city.
One of the top 10 cities to relocate to in the U.S., according to
The Huffington Post in 2015.

Sources: The Pew Charitable Trusts, Select Greater Philadelphia, 2010


U.S. Census, VISIT PHILADELPHIA, Econsult Solutions, Inc., Longwoods
International
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Perhaps the most important benefit of doing
business in Philly: an incredible amount of
talent and passion. As an education hub,
Philadelphia fosters an environment of
innovation and hard work.
WORKFORCE And young professionals love living and
working here. In a Greater Philadelphia
Chamber of Commerce study, 93% of 25- to
39-year-old current residents said that theres
a good chance theyll make their next career
moves right here.
More than 100 higher education institutions.
Highest award rate for first professional degrees.
Philadelphias millennial population is growing at a faster rate
than any other city.
64% of our college students stay in the region after
graduation.
Sixth-largest labor force, with three million people.

Sources: Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, The Pew


Charitable Trusts, Select Greater Philadelphia
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PHILLYS FINEST

Leaders of all types of businesses call Philly home. Some


grow up here and keep coming back, no matter where
their career takes them; others make it their adopted
hometown and work to make it the incredible place it is.

Watch this video and meet the people who choose Philadelphia.

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MORE OF PHILLYS FINEST
Philadelphia not only sparklesit twinkles with a very special energy that I dare you to
find anywhere else. Bobbi Booker, The Philadelphia Tribune

...Weve begun to see more really exciting companies get their start in Philadelphia.
Every year I see more entrepreneurial activity at Philadelphias universities. Josh
Kopelman, First Round Capital

Philly has its hometown base and has nurtured many of us as musicians and artists, so we
are all Philly-made in one sense or another. Adam Blackstone, musical director (Justin
Timberlake, Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson)

My work here in Philly working with students...really inspired me to create Scholly, so Im


really happy that the program...has a cornerstone right here in Philadelphia. Christopher
Gray, Scholly

Its a city of hard workers and creative minds. Dom Streater, fashion designer and
Project Runway winner

The citys commercial corridors...are some of the best ways to get to know all of the
wonderful things about Philly. Many of the corridors are populated with longtime family
businesses that are representative of Philadelphias diversity. Apu Gupta, Curalate

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Were all proud of Phillys many accomplishments, accolades
and ambassadors (thats you!)now its time to show
and tell the world. When you and your business are being
featured in the press, you can us help sell the city and
accelerate new visitors and residents by using the language
below.

Location, Location, Location: In addition to showing off your stellar office

SHOW space, consider showcasing Phillys scenic areaslike the Historic District
or the Benjamin Franklin Parkwayfor interviews that require additional
photography or video b-roll. Need suggestions or access to certain

& locations? We can help.

Art stars, consider the Barnes Foundations landscaped lawn and sleek

TELL architecture or one of Mural Arts Philadelphias nearly 4,000 public murals
for your backdrop.

Culinary connoisseurs, conduct your interview at one of our top-rated


restaurants. Parc in Rittenhouse Square offers a French feel in Philly, or
try one of many spots around 13th and Sansom Streets for a taste of
Midtown Village.

History buffs, take your potential investors and employees for a stroll
through the Historic District to marvel at the Liberty Bell, Independence
Hall and more.

For a classic Philadelphia streetscape, go to Broad and Walnut Streets to


have City Hall perfectly situated behind you.

Be Braggy: Utilize the talking points in this messaging document to further


communicate the many reasons why you live, work and play in Philly. Tout the
citys positive attributes rather than referencing outdated stereotypes.

News We Can Use: We love to see local businesses recognized for their great
work. Send us your latest updates and achievements to be included in our
press outreach efforts, and let us know when youre featured in the media so
we can share.
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RESOURCES

Have any questions about the information in this toolkit? Need


suggestions for your next lunch meeting or weekend wind-down? Were
here for you!

www.visitphilly.com @visitphilly
www.uwishunu.com @uwishunu

We also recommended the following business resources:

African-American Chamber of Commerce @official_AACC


Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia @ArtsBusinessPHL
City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce @PHLCommerce
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce @phillychamber
Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce @GPHCC
Independence Business Alliance @Think_IA
Philly Startup Leaders @startupleaders
Select Greater Philadelphia @selectPHL
Womens Business Development Center @WomensBDC

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