Global Philadelphia Association Hosts Third Annual World Heritage City Celebration

PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 2018) – Global Philadelphia Association celebrates its third annual World Heritage City Celebration with a special dinner at the Crystal Tea Room on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. This one-of-a-kind event supports the work being done to carry out Philadelphia’s World Heritage Strategic Plan.

In 2015, Philadelphia became the first U.S. city to receive the designation of a World Heritage City (WHC), connecting over 280 World Heritage cities across the globe. This year, the tradition continues as Philadelphia celebrates its unique heritages and common bonds by marking September 13 World Heritage Cities Solidarity Day, with dinner, cocktails, and live entertainment. The World Heritage City designation elevates Philadelphia, giving it a new status among international cities. As Philadelphia evolves as a global city, it spotlights the reasons to visit, live, and ultimately, do business.

This year’s keynote speaker is media personality Michael Smerconish, whose credits include hosting on Sirius XM and CNN.   

“It’s important to promote preservation and appreciation of our geographical, historical and cultural history through the World Heritage designation.  But there’s something else we have going for us that’s sometimes overlooked: our unique residents. That’s what I look forward to discussing on the 13th" says keynote speaker Michael Smerconish.

Additional speakers include honorary co-chairs the Honorable Robert P. Casey, U.S. Senator-Pennsylvania, and the Honorable Jim Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia. Celebration co-chairs John Fry, President of Drexel University, and Dianne Semingson, President and CEO of DLS International, will also speak at this engagement. The evening will end by recognizing a special international guest, Secretary of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, Denis Ricard. Also in attendance will be several special guests from other World Heritage cities. General

"Each year, Philadelphia's celebration of its World Heritage City status grows larger than the year before.  The investors and sponsors for this year's event are making it possible for us to work on projects that will benefit everyone in Greater Philadelphia” says Board Chair of the Global Philadelphia Association John F. Smith, III.

WHC supporting sponsors include Presenting Sponsor SAP and International Sponsor Brandywine Realty Trust. In addition to sponsoring this celebration, the following sixteen organizations have also become three-year investors: American Bible Society, Brandywine Realty Trust, Kosh and Surma Daphtary, Deloitte LLP, Diversified Search, Drexel University, Parkway Corporation, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Philadelphia International Airport, Poor Richards’ Charitable Trust, John and Susan Smith, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, Villanova University, and University of Pennsylvania/Penn Medicine. To see a full list of sponsors and supporters, visit here.

For more information on the World Heritage City Celebration, visit  their website. Tickets are $350 for an individual and $600 for couples. If you have questions regarding the event, please contact [email protected]. Connect with Global Philadelphia Association on  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn more about the Global Philadelphia Association on their website. For press and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About Global Philadelphia Association:

The Global Philadelphia Association was founded in 2010 by nine of the leading international organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Region. It has been incorporated as member-governed Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation whose purposes include assisting and encouraging a greater interaction among the many organizations and people who engage in one form or another on international activity with the Greater Philadelphia Region. As well as promote development of an international consciousness with the region and increase the global profile. Today, over 200 organizations, businesses, and internationally-minded individuals have become joint ventures in the Global Philadelphia initiative, and more are joining each month.

Press Contact: Kate Marlys

Phone: 267-930-8733

Press Inquiries: [email protected]

http://globalphiladelphia.org/world-heritage-celebration

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