The Independence Visitor Center Corporation is now PHILADELPHIA VISITOR CENTER CORPORATION.

 

About Us

The best Philly visits start with the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. Why? It’s simple: 

STARTING HERE
CAN LEAD ANYWHERE

We have access to all this city has to offer—activities, tickets, reservations, and opportunities. Talk with the helpful, well-connected people at the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, and they’ll turn your visiting wish list into an unforgettable itinerary, made just for you.

The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation is a Pennsylvania nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, which operates in cooperation with Visit Philadelphia®, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Philadelphia, National Park Service and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.​​​​
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The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation facilitates the operation of the Independence Visitor Center, the primary point of orientation for Independence National Historical Park and the official visitor center of the Philadelphia region, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation operates the LOVE Park Visitor Center, City Hall Visitor Center, and Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop transit service, and the private event space, The Liberty View at Independence Visitor Center.

 

Mission

The mission of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation is to enhance the experience of visitors to Philadelphia by providing exceptional customer service and access to all that the city has to offer.

 

Vision

Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation will inspire visitors to create lasting memories through exploring the city and region, and to share their experiences with others. We envision Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation as a nationally recognized leader in visitor service excellence and innovation.

 

Annual Reports

The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation reports on its efforts and achievements on a yearly basis. Click on the links below to download the Annual Report from the corresponding year.

    •    Annual Report 2022
    •    Annual Report 2020 - 2021
    •    Annual Report 2019
    •    Annual Report 2018
    •    Annual Report 2017
    •    Annual Report 2016
    •    Annual Report 2015
    •    Annual Report 2014
    •    Annual Report 2013
    •    Annual Report 2012
    •    Annual Report 2011

 

Board of Directors

Deborah O’Brien - Board Chair
Market Executive, Bank of America Greater Philadelphia

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Margaret Hughes - Board Vice Chair
Mayor's Representative
Deputy City Representative, City of Philadelphia


Tiffany Newmuis - Board Secretary
Director, Local Media Development
Corporate Administration
Comcast


Stephen P. Mullin - Board Treasurer 
Principal, Econsult Solutions


Joseph T. Ashdale
Business Manager / Secretary - Treasurer, District Council No. 21, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades


W. Bradley Baturka, CPA
Partner, Northeast U.S. Geography Leader, Wipfli LLP


Thomas A. Caramanico 
President, McCormick Taylor, Inc.


J.J. (Jonathan J.) Cutler
Principal, Heidrick & Struggles


Paul R. Decker
President Emeritus, Valley Forge Convention & Visitors Bureau


John H. Estey


Oliver St. Clair Franklin OBE
Honorary Consul, British Honorary Consulate, Philadelphia



John Fricke
General Manager - Chief Enthusiast 
Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City


Rob Ghormoz
Governor's Representative
GSL Public Affairs, A Stevens & Lee Company


Maria Grasso 
Senior Vice President, Convention Division, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau 


Lauri Kavulich, Esquire
Clark Hill, PLC


Shawn Andre Murray, MA, PHR
Assistant Professor Tourism & Hospitality Management  Montgomery County Community College
 

Amy Shearer
Chief Marketing Officer, The Philadelphia Zoo
 

Angela Val
President & CEO
Visit Philadelphia

A Message from the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation:

As the official visitor center of the Philadelphia region, we welcome millions of people each year, of every age, race, gender, religion, language, culture, ethnicity, ability, and orientation.  These visitors come from around the world to explore the sites where our nation was founded.  Yet, nearly 250 years later, the founding principles of equality and inalienable rights are not the reality for many citizens.  

We recognize that systemic racial inequality is still a problem. We also understand that there are marginalized segments of our society that are excluded from full inclusion in the American dream because of fundamental inequities. Our goal is to create and provide an environment that emphasizes the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, to make the Independence Visitor Center a favored destination, and to support these principles in society generally.

We will always strive to treat everyone equally and with respect, and extend this philosophy to our treasured visitors, staff, partners, and neighbors. 

 

Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation is proud to recognize the support of KESK Consulting, LLC in our organization's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Recent Updates

After recently celebrating the organization's 20-year anniversary and reflecting how it has grown since its inception in November 2001, the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, formerly the Independence Visitor Center Corporation (IVCC), completed a Strategic Plan with consulting agency Schultz & Williams and the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation Board. The plan serves to guide the organization's continued recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued growth over the next 3 - 5 years. The plan’s top recommendation included changing the organization’s name to better align itself with peer organizations, like Visit Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and more closely reflect its ever-expanding footprint. This upcoming period is a critical time in Philadelphia and the region, as the region prepares for several celebrations and events of epic proportions, like the FIFA World Cup and America250, and the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation aims to continue its mission and provide lasting memories for visitors.