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At a recent Grimm & Grove salon event, our friends from Visit Philadelphia, Welcome America, and the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation got together to talk about our nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration. As a communications agency with deep ties to both the Philadelphia business community and our city’s diverse neighborhoods, we were beyond thrilled to engage with these civic trailblazers who share our vision for Philadelphia’s future.
Our guests included local leaders: Angela Val (President & Chief Executive Officer, Visit Philadelphia), Kathryn Ott Lovell (President & CEO Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation), and Michael DelBene (President & CEO, Welcome America).
During the fireside chat, Melissa Grimm, Alison Grove and guests provided a rare, behind the scenes glimpse into Philadelphia’s planning for the 2026 semiquincentennial. They talked together about event positioning, and how every experience and program will work in tandem to drive visitors to Philadelphia, as well as highlight the rich, multicultural fabric of our neighborhoods - and those visiting.
Grimm & Grove has been involved in so many large-scale events in the past, starting with the 2000 RNC and the 2015 Papal visit. Angela Val reminded everyone that 2026 planning has actually been in motion since our collaborative success with the RNC, when our working relationships, hospitality infrastructure - and friendships - started.
The 250th is by far the biggest - and longest- event Philadelphia has ever seen, so it will require a proactive approach to long-term planning and collaboration, all while pushing our commitments to civic duty and economic development to another level. We’ll all need to work together to create innovative, original experiences that drive our city’s economy, boost tourism, and introduce our communities to the rest of the country.
With partners like Visit Philadelphia, Welcome America, and the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, the right ecosystem is in place and the right programs are in development. From neighborhood corner experiences, to “Phambassador” advocacy programs to on-the-ground hospitality in and around Independence Hall, each entity will need nonstop support and allocated funding to make 2026 a celebration all around. While planning started years ago, the work has only just begun.