Title
Honoring and Recognizing Meryl Levitz for Her Pioneering Leadership of VISIT PHILADELPHIA and Her Extraordinary Service to the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Meryl Levitz is the founding President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, known today as VISIT PHILADELPHIA. For the last twenty-one years, Meryl has led VISIT PHILADELPHIA with extraordinary energy and passion and has led the effort to transform Philadelphia's leisure tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, Meryl has been working to promote the City of Philadelphia for more than four decades. Prior to taking the position at VISIT PHILADELPHIA, she co-founded the Center City Proprietors Association. Later, she oversaw the opening the of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau; and
WHEREAS, Meryl was selected to lead VISIT PHILADELPHIA in 1996 after Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and President and CEO of The Pew Charitable Trusts Rebecca Rimel came together to launch the Organization. VISIT PHILADELPHIA's name is their mission: to drive visitation to Philadelphia. The Organization promotes the tourism hospitality industries in the City and surrounding areas while promoting Philadelphia's most historic and exciting venues; and
WHEREAS, Meryl strategically chose to run VISIT PHILADELPHIA as a start-up, giving the company the innovative approach that continues to shape its many initiatives. The Organization was an early adopter of social media and now boasts more than 1.4 million engaged followers. The Organization developed the Joint Marketing Program to allow partners at museums, attractions, hotels, restaurants and events to have more access to ad placements in markets and mediums they could not afford on their own. And its Entrepreneur-In-Residence Program - a first of its kind effort for a destination marketing organization - enhances the com...
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