Life sciences group joins list of major conventions coming to Philadelphia

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The American College of Emergency Physicians is coming to Philadelphia in 2023.

Francis Hilario

Reporter- Philadelphia Business Journal

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The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is coming to Philadelphia in 2023, citing the city's growth and revitalization as well as recent changes at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

ACEP made the announcement Wednesday, the last day of its 2014 assembly in Chicago. The 2023 assembly is expected to attract more than 12,000 attendees using 21,855 total hotel room nights and generate more than $29.6 million in economic impact. It last held an assembly in Philadelphia in 2000.

"Philadelphiaʼs revitalized downtown area will be a strong attraction for our emergency physicians and allied health care providers who work in emergency medicine," said Robert Heard, associate executive director for membership and education.

Heard cited the city's growth since ACEP held its last assembly in Philadelphia on a cultural, entertainment and restaurant level, as well as the recent changes made in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, which includes bringing SMG on to manage it and implementing new work rules.

ACEP joins a list of other major conventions Philadelphia has down the pipeline.

In the life sciences and health field, the Convention Center is scheduled to host the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting in April next year, which is expected to attract more than 18,500 attendees, and the Biotechnology Industry Organization's annual international convention, which is expected to attract 16,000 attendees, in June.

Other major groups coming to Philadelphia include repeat customers who turned down Philadelphia in the past due to antiquated work rules. However, thanks to the new work rules put in place this year, groups such as the National Black MBA Association and the American Industrial Hygiene Association will return in 2017 and 2018.

More than $100 million in new business has been booked into the Pennsylvania Convention Center to date.

Francis Hilario covers hospitality, restaurants and takes on general assignments and breaking news.