A few in-person spots have become available. If you are interested in attending, please sign up in the APT Store. 

The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) is planning an all-day event on Saturday, November 12, with speakers and panels covering current topics of interest in Philadelphia. In this new post-covid world, how will Philadelphia retain its global importance? What initiatives are on the horizon and what impact will they have on tourists and residents? What information can be shared with tour guides, other tourism professionals, and members of the public to enable them to promote the city to visitors in the best possible way?

Panel and speaker sessions will focus on current trends and upcoming initiatives involving tourism, development and revitalization, arts and culture, the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations, and the food scene. The event will be held at the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut Street). It seems appropriate for tour guides to learn about Philadelphia’s current initiatives in a building designed by Frank Furness who would have certainly thought he was meeting the needs of the rising industrial city – and the event falls on his birthday! Click here for the official event flyer: Philly Forward Flyer.

The following panels and speakers are confirmed:

MORNING

Keynote: “Philadelphia Tourism”
Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia

Development & Revitalization
Joseph A. Forkin, President of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, “Waterfront Reborn: Public Spaces, Connections, and Development”
Sandra Dungee Glenn, Founding Partner, The Growth Collective, “Philly Forward: Real Estate as a Portal to Equitable Growth for All”
Alan Greenberger, Vice President of Real Estate & Facilities at Drexel University, “The Emergence of Philadelphia as a Center for Life Sciences”

“Beyond Old City: Philly Arts Outside of Downtown”
Peter Crimmins, WHYY Arts and Culture Reporter

AFTERNOON

The Nation’s 250th Birthday Celebrations
Michael Norris, Executive Director of Carpenters’ Hall, “2024–Planning a Collaborative Anniversary Commemoration”
Rep. Jared G. Solomon, 202nd District/ Philadelphia County, “America250PA: Pennsylvania’s Leading Role in the Planning and Coordination of the Nation’s 250th Birthday”
Danielle DiLeo Kim, Executive Director of PHILADELPHIA250, “The 250th in Philly: By the People, For all People”
Cynthia MacLeod, Superintendent, and Leslie Obleschuk, Head of Interpretation and Education, Independence National Historical Park, “More Than Brick and Mortar; How Inspiration from Independence Hall Lives On in Big and Small Ways”

“Hot Meals: Philly’s Food Scene”
Marilyn Johnson, Founder of Philly Grub, “Come for the History, Stay for the Food”
Vance Lehmkuhl, Director of the American Vegan Center, “Vegan Innovations: Past, Present, and Future”

CLOSING RECEPTION & REFRESHMENTS

The closing reception features vegan treats from  Christina Pirello of Christina Cooks (Baci di Dama cookies); from Alice Leung of Soy Cafe (various plant-based wraps); from Mark McKinney of Primary Plant Based (jackfruit carnitas); and from Chef Reeky of Cheezy Vegan (eggrolls and crab cakes). Plus we’ll have a vegan cheesesteak hoagie tray from Campo’s and then vegetarian but not vegan – two tomato pies from Rione’s as well as eggplant supra bites from Saami Somi in Reading Terminal Market. Plus birthday cake for Frank Furness complete with sponsor logos and a photo of Ben Franklin!

Other highlights include a lunchtime peek at the First Unitarian Church’s sanctuary; book sales and signings with APT authors; door prize of a basket from Reading Terminal Market which includes a $100 gift card; and ample opportunities to network.

As the birthplace of America, Philadelphia has no equal among historical attractions in the United States. Yet the city has retained its appeal beyond history, as demonstrated by its winning National Geographic’s Best City to Visit in 2020, one of two American sites on the magazine’s best trips list. Philadelphia has been paving the way for new ideas and practices even before the country’s founding. As the world emerges from covid isolation, how is Philly poised to move forward? As has always been its modus operandi, how is it carrying a torch into tomorrow? Join us to find out!

Doors open at 8:30 am. Coffee and breakfast snacks will be available. The event starts promptly at 9 am and runs until 5:30 pm. Tickets are available for full and half-day attendance at APT member (individual and corporate) and non-member rates. Livestream Zoom tickets are also available. The event will be recorded on zoom and the recording will be made available to all in-person and zoom attendees.