Former travel and meetings executive Michael Lyons has partnered with Washington-based Global Events Partners founder Chris White to open Global Events Partners Philadelphia. The DMC, which launched on Jan. 1, is the newest affiliate in the 48-member Global Events Partners network of DMCs worldwide.

“The city is on the rise,” Lyons, a Philadelphia native, said of his decision to head up the operation. “We didn't have a large enough convention center for many, many years. Then there was a shortage of hotel rooms. Now we have a gorgeous new Ritz-Carlton, a beautiful new Loews, a Sofitel that just opened up, a Four Seasons.” He added that Philadelphia's convention center is having “the busiest year in its history this year.”

Lyons said he believes GEP Philadelphia will benefit from Global Events Partners' shared resources and services. He added that the company will establish credibility through the network's standards for affiliates, which include responding to clients within 24 hours, having key personnel available on a 24-hour-basis, maintaining financial stability and completing a client's final invoice within 15 days.

Lyons said he expects rapid growth for GEP Philadelphia. “We feel pretty confident that even in our first year of operation, we're not only going to break even, but we'll make a profit.” The DMC, he predicted, “will be a $5 million company within three years.”

Global Events Partners Philadelphia
1650 Arch St., 18th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
610/279-9548
www.gepphilly.com

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