Images and sizzle reel courtesy of Ryan Brandenberg

(PHILADELPHIA) – The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (“Cultural Alliance”) on Tuesday hosted Beyond 2026: Maximizing Momentum for Lasting Impact, a first-of-its-kind  summit that connected the Pennsylvania Tourism Office and Creative PHL with leaders across Philadelphia’s arts and tourism sectors to review key data points related to the sector and discuss strategies for capitalizing on the momentum surrounding 2026 to sustain and grow the creative economy in the years ahead.  

“Philadelphia’s cultural sector has never been stronger or more visible,” said Patricia Wilson Aden, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, “Beyond 2026 is about ensuring that everything this sector has built—the relationships, the audiences, the economic impact—doesn’t quietly fade when the spotlight moves on. We convened because the work of sustaining this momentum starts right now.” 

More than 100 cultural leaders, tourism professionals, and economic development stakeholders attended the half-day summit at the Liberty View at the Independence Visitor Center, that began with opening remarks from PA State Senator Vincent Hughes, and  featured interactive data experiences for participants, a fireside chat with Anne Ryan, Deputy Secretary of Tourism for Pennsylvania, a panel discussion on growing Philadelphia’s tourism impact, and facilitated breakout sessions designed to foster cross-sector collaboration.   

“Philadelphia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity in front of us. With the eyes of the world on our city this summer and into 2026, the question isn’t whether the attention is coming—it’s what we choose to do with it,” said Anne Ryan, Deputy Secretary of Tourism. “We have one of the richest cultural offerings in the country, from world-class institutions to neighborhood traditions that exist nowhere else. If the cultural sector, tourism community, and our city and state partners come together around a shared story, we can turn this moment into more than a successful year of events. We can create lasting momentum, economic impact, and a deeper connection that inspires people to return again and again to experience all that Philadelphia has to offer.” 

The Philadelphia cultural sector generates more than $3.3 billion in economic activity annually. It supports 132,000 jobs, a 38% increase since 2001, and generates $9 billion in wages for local workers. Arts-driven tourism fills hotel rooms, supports restaurants and local businesses, and strengthens Philadelphia’s identity as a global destination. According to tourism projections, international visitation to Philadelphia is expected to increase by approximately 4.5 percent in 2026, with more than one million visitors projected to attend major citywide events throughout the year. Beyond 2026 served as a moment to recognize the monumental year that is happening in Philadelphia and intentionally shift focus to the future to build lasting relationships with visitors and continue to grow as a sector.   

Photos from the event can be found linked here (photo credit: Ryan Brandenberg).  

Beyond 2026 was hosted in partnership with PA Humanities and with generous support from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. 

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About Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance: 

Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance has proudly served as the region’s foremost advocate for arts and cultural for over 50 years. Our mission is to lead, strengthen and amplify the voices of a dynamic cultural community that sparks creativity, inspires people, and plays a vital role in fostering the health and wellbeing of the region. Representing a diverse cultural ecosystem—including museums, visual artists, dance companies, community art centers, musicians, historic sites, zoos, and more—the Cultural Alliance is dedicated to being a thought leader, trusted resource, and powerful advocate for the Greater Philadelphia creative sector. We are committed to driving positive change and supporting the collective vision of our community. For more information, please visit philaculture.org.