PA Convention Center and Beyond with Linda Jones

by Kristine Golden, CMP - Senior Manager, Meetings & Events
Bryn Mawr Communications Group

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Linda Jones, CMP, HMCC, National Sales Manager at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and the winner of the Connections Campaign.  In a more than 25+ year career at the PACC, Linda is a legend of the Philadelphia hospitality industry.  Read on to see how she got her start and what we can learn from the PACC. 

Question 1: What was your first job in the hospitality industry?

I began working at the Pennsylvania Convention Center as a sales assistant. I caught the hospitality bug and decided that serving the customers of this center would provide me with an enjoyable career. I enjoy my current role as a sales manager because I like to be challenged to help produce the best experiences for our customers. It is satisfying to work in an environment where no two days are the same.  There is always something to learn in our ever-changing industry.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with clients and to offer them solutions and ideas to help their events grow, thrive and become memorable.

Question 2:  What makes your venue location great, an ideal venue for groups or events?  What is its best feature?

The Pennsylvania Convention Center is centrally located in Philadelphia, a major market city with historical, educational and cultural attractions, just steps from the facility. We offer best in class food and drink through one of our partners and we are flexible working with local chefs when requested.  The best feature of the Center is the flexibility of the meeting spaces and halls that are contiguous, allowing us to host major conventions. We can host an event for 10 people or 25,000 people, the sky is the limit. We have new technology and other improvements to the center that we are excited to share with our customers.  Digital lighting, video display walls, new lighting in our historic Grand Hall (Reading Train Shed) and renovations to our rest rooms are all part of recent multi-million-dollar improvements to our premier facility.  The PCC is where state-of-the Art meets-state-of-the Awesome!

Question 3: How do you partner with your clients/customers?

When we get a sales or information request, we are immediately responsive. We listen to their needs and collect information on their vision. Then we work with our customers to bring it to fruition. We then give them team members who produce and build the event and finally, we assist our customers through final billing. We offer quality customer service and competitive prices through a consultative selling approach. We handle everything.

Question 4: What has been your favorite meeting/event at your venue?

This year, the PCC celebrates 25 years as the leading economic driver of the hospitality industry in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In that time, the Center has hosted more than 7,200 events that have generated over $13 billion in revenue. But the three most memorable for me are:

• World Meeting Families, September 2015: I was a volunteer and I can remember being a human directional sign, helping families, clergy and sisters to their respective areas. I was impressed by the beautiful fabrics of the pilgrimage worn by attendees to represent their countries. It was truly remarkable event.

• Republican National Convention, August 2000: One of the first Big parties at the PCC, this event offered a real WOW factor with Politicalfest. This event really put Philadelphia on the world stage! I enjoyed all the fanfare.

• Meeting Metropolis,-April 2011: This  event opened our expansion, now the West Wing, and the 55,000-square foot Terrace ballroom was transformed into a street fair with every kind of food and Cirque du Soleil performers.

Question 5: Why are you a member of MPI?

I’ve cultivated long lasting relationships with planners and suppliers in my capacity as VP of Membership and my overall involvement with MPI PHL.

Here is the Discover PHL’s current video: https://www.discoverphl.com/meet/frankly-intro/