GlobalPhilly™ 2015 Aims to Enhance International Stature of Philadelphia - International Exposition Will Offer 150 Events from September 15 to November 15

The birthplace of American democracy is ready to take center stage as a truly global city. That’s the driving principle behind GlobalPhilly™ 2015, a 60-day international exposition that will celebrate and showcase Philadelphia and its diverse heritage and strengths from September 15 through November 15.

Presented by the Global Philadelphia Association, GlobalPhilly™ 2015 will offer a lineup of 150 events and programs centered on international themes and issues. Member organizations will present events in eight categories: Advocacy, Arts, Commerce, Cuisine, Education, Heritage, Science & Technology and Sports.

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, film director M. Night Shyamalan and Peter Feldmann, Mayor of Frankfurt, Germany, are scheduled to visit Philadelphia for events that are part of GlobalPhilly™ 2015.

“GlobalPhilly™ 2015 aims to enhance the international stature of our great city,” said John F. Smith, III, Chair of the Global Philadelphia Association’s Board of Directors. “We want the world to know what we’ve known for years, that Philadelphia is a thriving international community that has so much to offer as a vibrant hub for global commerce, culture, dialogue and tourism.

Smith added: “Although the upcoming Papal visit isn’t part of GlobalPhilly™ 2015, the timing of both could not be better for the City of Philadelphia, which is working with our organization on a joint project to become the first designated World Heritage City in the United States.”

The opening ceremony for GlobalPhilly™ 2015 will be held at the facilities of WHYY in Philadelphia on Thursday, September 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. This year’s exposition has been expanded significantly, based on the success of GlobalPhilly™ 2013, the inaugural international exposition, which attracted more than 25,000 people to events over 47 days.

“Scores of organizations across the region and around the world are collaborating through GlobalPhilly™ 2015 to offer activities and programs that will enrich lives in the community, foster international dialogue, and instill even greater pride in our international city,” said Zabeth Teelucksingh, Executive Director of the Global Philadelphia Association. “We are coming together as Global Philadelphians dedicated to preserving our diverse heritage and building an even brighter future for our region on the world stage.”

GlobalPhilly™ 2015 Highlights

• The Court and the World, a conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer at the National Constitution Center, September 17 (Constitution Day).

• The Innovators Walk of Fame at the University City Science Center (specially celebrating Women Innovators), October 15.

• A Global Education Conference (The Asia Society of New York and Penn Partnership for Global Learning), October 15-16.

• A sister cities event with Philadelphia and Frankfurt, Germany, mid-November.

• The 27th annual Liberty Medal Award Ceremony at the National Constitution Center, which will honor His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, October 26.

• A pediatrics conference on October 28-30 sponsored jointly by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Meyer’s Children’s Hospital in Florence, Italy.

• Shyamaween 2015, Be Bad, Do Good, a costume fundraiser on October 30 for The M. Night Shyamalan Foundation, which supports the grassroots efforts of emerging leaders as they work to eliminate inequities created by poverty.

• The World Heritage Cities Congress in Arequipa, Peru, November 3-6, where City officials and the Global Philadelphia Association will represent our region.

• The City of Philadelphia’s Diwali Festival & Celebration on November 12.

During GlobalPhilly™ 2015, venues across the city will showcase international arts, including productions by the Opera Philadelphia, the International Opera Theater and the Curtis Opera Theatre, concerts by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, a joint performance by Russian and Italian orchestras, poetry and mural arts events, and films presented by International House Philadelphia, to name just a few. Some events will focus the spotlight on the importance of diplomacy and international understanding, such as the U.N. Day Celebration, hosted by the United Nations Association of Philadelphia, and Peace Day Philly’s International Day of Peace.

New events this year include Nation Days themed to countries, including Mexico, Panama, Germany and France. GlobalPhilly™ 2015 plans to distribute approximately 10,000 “passports” to help people choose the events they want to attend. Most events are open to the public and some are free. For a complete listing of GlobalPhilly™ 2015 events and member organizations, visit www.globalphiladelphia.org.

GlobalPhilly™ 2015 is being supported by the following sponsors: Progressive Business Publications, the Philadelphia Visitors & Convention Bureau, Lockheed Martin, Creative Philadelphia, the Connelly Foundation, Team Pennsylvania Foundation, ReedSmith LLP, and gphomestay. Our media partners are: Al Día, WHYY, Comcast EveryBlock, Philadelphia Media Network (The Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com), PHL17, Center City Film & Video, iHeartMedia and 95.7 BEN FM. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Dana Wiley, GlobalPhilly 2015 Project Manager, at [email protected] or 215-851-8112.

About the Global Philadelphia Association

The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) was founded in 2010 by leading international organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region. Our mission is to:

• Assist – and encourage greater interaction among – the many organizations and people who are engaged in international activity within the Greater Philadelphia region;

• Promote the development of an international consciousness within the region; and

• Enhance the region’s global profile.

GPA is a nonprofit organization with more than 190 members, including businesses, organizations and internationally-minded individuals. For more information, visit www.globalphiladelphia.org.

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Media can contact the following for comment:

Zabeth Teelucksingh, Executive Director, Global Philadelphia Association

[email protected] 215-851-8112

or

Dana Wiley, Exposition Project Manager, Global Philadelphia Association

[email protected] 215-851-8112