The Greater Philadelphia Roundtable:  Join in a discussion of Philadelphia history and issues, and help to shape the project to create The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia!  During 2011-12, our theme is “Phrasing Philadelphia,” as we take a look behind the slogans for the history and ideas that unite and sometimes divide us.

Philadelphia, The Place That Loves You Back

Tourism has become increasingly important to Greater Philadelphia’s economy, generating in one year 36 million visitors and $8 billion in economic impact, while supporting 83,000 jobs. In this discussion, take a look behind the campaigns that promote Philadelphia to the region, the nation, and the world.  The discussion will be moderated by Charlene Mires of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities at Rutgers-Camden with panelists including Richardson Dilworth of Drexel University, Meryl Levitz of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, and Bob Skiba of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides.

Everyone who attends will have the opportunity to offer suggestions for The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, a digital information project currently in its planning stages.  To prime this discussion, watch for Richardson Dilworth’s essay on Philadelphia tourism in the Currents section of The Philadelphia Inquirer and on philly.com on Sunday, February 19, followed by posting and discussion on Newsworks.org and The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia website.

Link to the essay: Philadelphia, the Place that Loves You Back

The Greater Philadelphia Roundtable is a partnership of The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, with the cooperation of many civic partners.  This program has been supported in part by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities’ We the People initiative on American history.

Series co-sponsors: Young Involved Philadelphia, WHYY, the Friends of Independence, the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Philadelphia Media Network, Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent, Neighborhood Interfaith Movement, and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities.

Program co-sponsors include the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.