PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The site selection committee for the Democratic National Convention will be in town this week to see how Philadelphia would rate as a host city in 2028.
Former Ambassador David Cohen loves showing off Philadelphia. He did it successfully for the 2016 convention, and he has hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Xfinity Mobile Arena to promote this time around.
“There’s nothing like seeing it to understand the feel of the city and the improvements we’re touting,” Cohen said.
Cohen will be wining and dining DNC chair Ken Martin and hospitality experts who’ll be looking not just at facilities but hotel rooms, restaurants and other amenities.
“We put a big emphasis on the walkability of our city, and there’s no way to experience that besides coming here and trying to walk.”
Philadelphia is up against Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Denver — all of which have also hosted previous Democratic Conventions, Chicago just last year. Unlike its rivals, Philly is in a swing state.
When Philly hosted in 2016, it cost about $100 million to stage, but the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated it had a quarter-of-a-billion-dollar return.
Mayor Cherelle Parker, a former cheerleader, is confident the city will shine.
“Philadelphia knows how to do it, and we’re looking forward to showing them just who we are,” Parker said.
They will tour the Convention Center on Wednesday and the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday.
They will visit the Convention Center and Xfinity Mobile Arena later this week
They will visit the Convention Center and Xfinity Mobile Arena later this week
