During the time of year when leisure tourism traditionally is less active in Lancaster County, the Lancaster County Convention Center (LCCC) is pleased to report that its first quarter roster of business and event bookings is robust.
In Freedom Hall, the convention center’s 46,000-square-foot primary meeting and event space, at least 19 events will occur in multiple portions of the hall over multiple days. These events represent both new and repeat business for the convention center and predominantly new business for Lancaster County.
“Even after only 2 ½ years of operation, and during the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, the LCCC has put Lancaster on the map as a business and event destination – bringing business here that otherwise would be occurring in other regions and cities,” said Josh Nowak, sales and marketing director for the Lancaster County Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square.
New business
Events during the first quarter that are new to the LCCC and to Lancaster County include the Excel in Motion dance convention, Christian Products Expo, Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Show, Lancaster County Gun Show, Eastern Winery Expo, and Reckless Fest (an independent multi-act concert).
Repeat business
Repeat business during the first quarter that returns to the LCCC after previously successful engagements there includes the MLK Kickoff Classic volleyball tournament and expo, American Cheer and Dance, Suburban Pennsylvania Spring Home & Landscape Show, Red Rose Gymnastics Invitational, Lancaster Chamber Breakfast, American Quilter’s Society Show, and various private meetings for EP Henry, Pennsylvania Septage Management Association, Ivesco Holdings, Mary Kay, Rentokil/JC Ehrlich, and the Pennsylvania Delaware Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
Success of LCCC
“This roster of first quarter events, just in Freedom Hall alone, speaks to the versatility and operational success of the convention center. This ability of being able to host a broad array of events and meetings was always part of the intended positioning and marketing plan,” said Nowak.
Additional facts
Since its opening in June of 2009, the LCCC has directly employed 172 people and has averaged 80 event space days per month. The LCCC’s 15,000 attendees per month provide a positive impact on Lancaster County’s economy.
Since opening, the LCCC has brought a total of more than 500,000 people to Lancaster, the majority of which represents new business – never having been to Lancaster as a meeting event destination prior to the presence of the LCCC.
Since opening, an average of 1,500 rooms per month have overflowed into area hotels of event goers, and the PDCVB has tracked 40,000 rooms since opening that were booked directly with event goers through their central room booking agency known as Passkey.
About the integrated facility
Anchoring Downtown Lancaster and incorporating the 110-year-old Beaux Arts façade of the historic former Watt & Shand department store, the uniquely integrated convention center / hotel facility offers a combined 90,000 square feet of meeting space and the latest technology for conventions, events, and trade shows. Appealing as a unique world-class facility set in a smaller, less expensive urban destination, the convention center facility is centrally located to the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and New York. The new venue offers space for groups of up to 5,000 and includes a convention and exhibition hall, two grand ballrooms, and several finely appointed meeting and board rooms.
Booking information
To book an event at the integrated facility, call Josh Nowak at 866-503-3786 or 717-239-1601. For more information, visit www.lancasterconventioncenter.com.
Contact: Joshua Nowak, Director of Sales & Marketing Lancaster County Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square josh.nowak@ihrco.com / 717-207-4044
