PCMA PHL hosts education day and trade show » Exhibition City

Focus on industry trends and Philadelphia’s growing role

By: Exhibition City News Staff

The Pennsylvania Convention Center hosted the PCMA Greater Philadelphia Chapter Education Day and Trade Show on September 12, attracting more than 200 business event professionals from across the country. The event featured more than 50 exhibitors and provided a platform for discussion of the latest trends impacting the events industry.

Bonnie Grant, president of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of PCMA and executive director of PHL Life Sciences at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), delivered a welcome speech on the day. Attendees from various industries including convention and visitor bureaus, hotels, AV companies and transportation services gathered to exchange ideas, explore new business opportunities and participate in educational sessions.

Education Session Insights

Two educational sessions focused on practical issues facing the events industry. In the morning, Joshua L. Grimes, an attorney with extensive experience in the industry, presented a presentation titled “I Thought I’d Seen It All!: New Considerations When Writing Contracts.” Grimes discussed the challenges event planners and vendors are facing due to factors such as travel disruptions, safety concerns, and new legal requirements. He provided guidance on how to navigate these changes and adjust contracts to address new risks.

The afternoon session, titled “10 New Insights That Will Change the Way You Plan, Produce and Market Events,” was moderated by Kimberly Hardcastle Geddes, President of mdg (a Freeman Company). Geddes spoke about how generational and societal shifts are changing expectations for event design and marketing. She emphasized that planners need to adapt their strategies to meet the changing needs of modern audiences.

Philadelphia as a major conference destination

During the event, PHLCVB President and CEO Gregg Caren highlighted Philadelphia’s role as a growing hub for business events. He also announced that the organization’s annual flagship event, PCMA Convening Leaders, will be held in Philadelphia in 2026, further demonstrating the city’s prominence in the meetings and events industry.

Network and community contributions

The event provided attendees with an opportunity to network with exhibitors and peers. Networking receptions on the trade show floor provided attendees with additional time to connect and explore partnerships. To show their support for the community, attendees also donated school supplies to Dr. Joseph E. Johnson Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware as part of a charitable event organized by PCMA.

PCMA’s Greater Philadelphia Education Day and Trade Show provided attendees with insights into current industry challenges and opportunities for collaboration. As Philadelphia prepares to host the 2026 PCMA Conference Leadership Conference, the city’s role in shaping the future of the business events industry continues to expand.