Contributing to the economic vitality of Lancaster by providing an inviting,
world-class business and event destination for guests.

LCCCA Strategic Priorities

Commitment – Long-term financial sustainability

  • Successfully renegotiating the bonds at market rates and terms (2023)
  • Meeting all required financial covenants
  • Continuing Covenant Agreement – bond issuance, reserves, 80/20 mechanism

Strategic Priorities

  • Public and Stakeholder benefits
  • Support attraction of Priority 1 and Priority 2 events
  • Advocate for all hotels in Lancaster County.
  • Contribute to the long-term development of the blocks immediately surrounding the convention center
  • Advocate for tourism attractions, lodging, facilities and events
  • Revisit the use of the Swan Hotel in 2024.
  • Maintain the Oversize Vehicle Lot on Vine St.
  • Develop the Carriage House as a dry storage space for Convention Center equipment when its financially feasible.
  • Develop the Lydia Hamilton Property to LCCCA Office when its financially feasible.
  • Continue to develop strategic partnerships with Lancaster City, Lancaster County, Discover Lancaster and the Lancaster Alliance

 

Lancaster County Convention Center Authority’s Mission & Outcome – 2017-2023

Mission

Provide an inviting , well managed, and well maintained Lancaster County Convention Center facility for guests.

Outcome

Lancaster County Convention Center contributes to the economic development of the City of Lancaster and Lancaster County.

 

General Overview of Integrated Facility Ownership & Operations

Lancaster County Convention Center Authority (LCCCA)

  • Meeting space – boardrooms, meeting rooms, ballrooms – from 4th floor through to Vine Street Lobby
  • Exhibit Hall
  • Main Kitchen serving the restaurant and catering
  • Thaddeus Stevens, Lydia Hamilton Smith, Kleiss Saloon properties

Penn Square Partners (PSP – Penn Square General Corporation, an affiliate of the High Companies; and limited partner Penn Square Ltd., an affiliate of Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.)

  • Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
    • West Tower (Floors 5-19)
    • East Tower (Floors 2-11)
  • Plough Restaurant
  • The Exchange Roof Top Bar
  • Lease 3rd & 4th floor meeting rooms and ballroom from LCCCA
  • Catering services throughout the integrated facility
  • Montgomery House

Joint Ownership

  • Great Room (Penn Square Lobby)
  • 4th Floor Aimbridge Hospitality office space

Aimbridge Hospitality operates under separate contracts with the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority and Penn Square Partners. (Aimbridge Hospitality also manages the Jointly Owned Property)

 

Lancaster County Convention Center Authority Financial Structure

Debt Structure

  • $63.9 million bond issue
  • Bonds marketed by Wells Fargo (sold publicly)
  • M&T Bank; Trustee
  • Manages and performs all actions as described in the bond indenture
  • Receives proceeds from Hotel Room Revenue Tax which funds reserves
  • Pays expenses from reserves

How Hotel Room Rental Tax is distributed

  • County Receives Hotel Room Rental Tax (monthly)
  • Hotel Room Rental Tax is deposited into M&T Bank (Trustee)
  • Predetermined amount is deposited into LCCCA’s Operating Administrative Account

 

Lancaster County Convention Center Operational Revenues

Main Sources of Operational Revenue:

  • Meeting/Ballroom/Exhibit Hall Rent (revenue for space rental in Convention Center)
  • Audio Visual Revenue (revenue clients pay for AV Service)
  • Food & Beverage Commissions (commissions for food services)
  • Service Charges (a percentage charged for services)
  • Equipment Rental – Exhibits (rental of exhibit equipment i.e. tables, chairs, draping etc.
  • Equipment Rental – Conference (rental of conference equipment i.e. staging, podiums, etc.
  • Electrical/Mechanical Revenue (electrical or plumbing connections)
  • Concession Stand (sales of food and beverages excluding catering)
  • Security Services (event security services)
  • Other Services

Lancaster County Convention Center and Hotel Facility Statistics

Integrated Convention Center and Hotel Facility

  • Almost 3 acres of real estate
  • 451,940 square feet
  • 90,000 square feet of meeting space including 46,000 square feet in the exhibit hall, ballrooms, meeting rooms, and pre-function space
  • Over 200 employees (over 65% are City of Lancaster residents)
  • 13 elevators
  • 3 banks of escalators
  • 10,000 square feet in Great Room ( Penn Square lobby)
  • 12,000 pound capacity freight elevator
  • 32 feet of ceiling height in exhibit hall
  • 88 toilets in public restrooms
  • 111 year old Watt & Shand façade

Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square

  • 415 rooms

Historic Properties (in the Penn Square Condominium Association)

  • LCCCA Owned property & leased to Lancaster History
    • Thaddeus Stevens properties
      • office, residence, and Kleiss Saloon
      • Recognized by the National Park Service with inclusion on the “National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Listings.
    • Lydia Hamilton Smith properties
      • Boarding houses
  • Penn Square Partners owned property
    • Montgomery House
      • One of the first Federal Design homes, 206 years old

Permanent Art Collection

The Lancaster County Convention Center Authority supports the rich cultural heritage of Lancaster through its on-site permanent art collection. A committee of local art professionals selected the 14 piece collection from works by 13 local artists.

Lancaster County Convention Center Authority’s Fiduciary Responsibilities and Financial Realities

Lancaster County Convention Center Authority’s Fiduciary Responsibilities

  • Manage the LCCCA’s strategic relationship with its issuing and trustee banks
  • Work cooperatively with Discover Lancaster (formerly the Pa Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau) to promote tourism
  • Work cooperatively with Penn Square Partners to promote tourism
  • Manage the LCCCA’s physical and fiscal assets
  • Ensure appropriate checks and balances to provide good financial stewardship
  • Provide oversight of Aimbridge Hospitality’s Convention Center operations and contract
  • Conduct public board and committee meetings

Lancaster County Convention Center Authority’s Financial Realities

The LCCCA has control over the following:

  • Administrative expenses
  • Contract with Interstate Hotels & Resorts
  • Historic properties (Thaddeus Stevens properties, Lydia Hamilton Smith properties, and Swan Hotel)

The LCCCA does not have control over the following:

  • Interest rate fluctuations
  • Overall economic climate
  • Hotel Room Rental Tax
  • Unexpected, significant increases in utility rates

 

Third Class County Convention Center Authority Act of 1994 and Municipal Authority Act of 1945

The purpose of a convention center should be the promotion, attraction, stimulation, development and expansion of business, industry, commerce, and tourism in the county seat, the surrounding counties and the Commonwealth as a whole.

The Lancaster County Convention Center should provide direct benefits to:

  • The hotel industry
  • The restaurant and entertainment industries
  • Other businesses that serve the convention/tourism industry

 

 

 

 

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