Authorizing the City Council Committee on Law and Government to investigate the management of the Pennsylvania Convention Center as well as labor contracts, labor issues, and criticisms made by those responsible for booking conventions, for the purpose of exploring whether changes can be developed that would encourage more repeat bookings of events at the Center.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is a major convention City, hosting a number of large events every year; and

WHEREAS, These large events contribute to the economic vitality of the City, by attracting patrons to the City's hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments; and

WHEREAS, The rebooking rate for conventions at the Convention Center is low in comparison to the rebooking rate in other cities; and

WHEREAS, There have been numerous comments made by those responsible for booking conventions that have been critical of both management and labor contract disputes among employees at the Convention Center; and

WHEREAS, Many conventions have vowed not to return to the Convention Center; and

WHEREAS, Initiating changes in management procedures and resolving labor disputes more expeditiously may lead to more repeat bookings; now therefore

RESOLVED,THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELHIA, Hereby authorizes the City Council Committee on Law and Government to investigate the management of the Pennsylvania Convention Center as well as labor contracts, labor issues, and criticisms made by those responsible for booking conventions, for the purpose of exploring whether changes can be developed that would encourage more repeat bookings of events at the Center; and authorizing the Chairperson of the Committee, in furtherance of such investigation, to issue such subpoenas as may be necessary or appropriate to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter.

End