Politics May Stall Plans For Penn CC Expansion

Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority is making some changes, and it hopes show managers — and the state's governor — are paying attention.

In October, Dittie Florenza Guise, former general manager of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, started work as the authority's COO, a newly created position.

Guise was a "sorely needed" addition to the staff, said Albert Mezzaroba, the convention center's president and CEO, particularly since the venue is in the initial phases of an expansion that will nearly double its size. Guise's 30-plus years of experience include supervision of the Columbus facility's 2001 expansion.

The 11-year-old, 1.3 million square foot PCC is slated to grow by 1 million sq. ft. by December 2008. An additional 220,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space will bring its total exhibit space to 700,000 sq. ft. The hope is that the center will then be able to host two large shows at once, giving it an edge in an increasingly competitive atmosphere.

"I'm anxious for it to get going," Guise, also formerly president and general manager of the Kansas City Market Center, said of the expansion plan.

But Pennsylvania politics may prove to be an obstacle. In October, two weeks after Guise began a five-year contract, Gov. Ed Rendell, a former Philadelphia mayor, was quoted as saying he wants a "professional management" team in place at the PCCA before he gives the go-ahead on funding. Mezzaroba said the governor left it unclear whether he wants somebody besides Guise, or even a private-sector firm, to manage the PCC.

"I'm here," said a befuddled Guise. "If they were bringing in private management, they wouldn't have hired me."

Rendell's office did not return calls from Tradeshow Week.

The hiring of Guise, who Mezzaroba said has "one of the best sets of credentials in this industry," is in line with a 10-year customer satisfaction agreement put in place last year.

One of the most significant recommendations a PCCA customer advisory board made was the appointment of an executive to oversee the PCC's day-to-day operations, said Danielle Cohn, a Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau spokeswoman. "Dittie Guise brings general management, which is something that our customers asked for," Cohn said.

Michael Nutter, PCCA board chairman and Philadelphia councilman, said he doesn't think Rendell has had the chance to "look at and assess the great credentials of the people in the building."

"I think the governor would benefit tremendously from having a meeting and discussion with Dittie Guise," Nutter added.

Although $400 million of the required $632 million for the expansion is already in the state budget, it still must be released by the governor. Mezzaroba said $30 million is needed right away to start acquiring property, demolishing buildings and clearing the site.

Nutter said the remaining $232 million would most likely come from a bond offering to be repaid from the revenue generated by 14 slot machine operations throughout the state.

Although Nutter said he expects the governor to release some initial funding before Christmas, "we don't exactly know what is going to happen."

Even though Rendell isn't making any moves, the PCC is, Mezzaroba said. Schematic drawings are completed, architects are about to start on construction drawings and building is scheduled to start in 2006.

According to Tradeshow Week research, tradeshow business at the PCC has fluctuated slightly. The center hosted 27 shows in 2003 and 21 in 2004. Another 24 are scheduled for the center in 2005.

Tim Haggerty, director of sales and marketing for the neighboring Philadelphia Marriott, said he hopes the expansion funding is approved in time for the Professional Convention Management Assn. to announce at its annual meeting Jan. 9–12, since the 2006 PCMA meeting will be held at the PCC.

"To have a solid, concrete message would be very important," Haggerty said.