AnnuAl RepoRt FY 2013

Transcription

1 AnnuAl RepoRt FY 2013

2 During the 2013 fiscal year, the Independence Visitor Center Corporation (IVCC) welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors, bringing our cumulative total to 25,521,827 visitors in 12 years of operation on Independence Mall. The Visitor Center continues to be the most visited venue in the Philadelphia region and we believe it is our first impression that leaves a lasting impression. We also remain committed to extending exceptional visitor service throughout the city with our satellite locations at City Hall, the Fairmount Park Welcome Center at Love Park, Sister Cities Park Visitor Center & Café and the Pennsylvania Convention Center, maintaining a combined presence of 10 years with our satellite locations to expand our reach beyond the Historic District. In addition to the ongoing improvements to the physical space of the Independence Visitor Center, in 2013 our efforts were targeted towards web, social media, and mobile initiatives with a focus on the Top 5 Reasons to Start at the Visitor Center. We shortened our web address to PHLVisitorCenter.com, making it easier to type and more efficient for finding us in search engines. Attendance The Independence Visitor Center is the gateway to Independence National Historical Park as the only location to pick up free timedtickets to tour Independence Hall, and with National Park Service Rangers on-site to answer any questions specific to the rich history and attractions in the Park. The Visitor Center is also the official welcome center of the Philadelphia region. IVCC Visitor Services Representatives help visitors build their itineraries and sell tickets in a seamless process that enhances their experiences throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. VISITATION TOTAL July June 2013 (FY 13) Looking ahead to 2014, IVCC is working closely with the National Park Service on innovative upgrades to improve the visitor experience in the building, along with working on the installation of sustainable and state-of-the-art equipment to obtain a LEED Silver certification for the Visitor Center. We will continue our operation of PHLASH, the seasonal downtown transportation loop that plays a vital role as an easy-to-access shuttle to Philadelphia s key attractions. We have also engaged with partners in the performing arts arena to explore offering theatre and live performance ticketing to visitors and increase the availability of evening activities. LIBERTY BELL INDEPENDENCE HALL VISITOR CENTER 2,300,577 As you will see in our FY 2013 annual report, we look forward to continuing the momentum we have built by providing outstanding visitor service and contributing to the economic impact of the region s tourism industry. Sincerely, WHO ARE OUR VISITORS 80% 20% Domestic international John H. Estey Chairman of the Board James J. Cuorato President & CEO 10 TOP STATE VISITORS OUTSIDE PA * 1. New Jersey 2. California 3. New York 4. Massachusetts 5. Maryland 6. Texas 7. Connecticut 8. Virginia 9. Florida 10. Michigan *Econsult survey research conducted inside the Independence Visitor Center January June 2013

3 partnerships Partnerships are essential to the vitality and growth of the IVCC. Services offered as a result of these partnerships make the Visitor Center the best place for visitors to start their trip and gain a great first impression of the Philadelphia region. TICKET PARTNERS We are proud of our longstanding relationship with more than 60 ticket partners that give us the ability to sell attraction and tour tickets directly to our visitors. The IVCC sold more than 68,000 tickets in FY 13 by recommending the vast offerings of attractions, tours and entertainment to fulfill the visitor experience. NEW TICKET PARTNERS IN FY 13 INCLUDE: 1. American Philosophical Museum 2. The Barnes Foundation 3. Beth Shalom Preservation Trust 4. Elfreth's Alley Association 5. Freetime Inc. c/o Philadelphia Segway Tours by Wheel Fun Rentals 6. National Ferry c/o Riverlink Ferry 7. Patriot Harbor Lines, LLC 8. Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent 9. Philadelphia Phillies Wheel Fun Rentals Partners with Visitor Center to Provide Segway Tours and Bike Rentals Philadelphia Phillies Gameday Tickets Now On Sale at the Visitor Center The opening of Philadelphia Segway Tours by Wheel Fun at the Visitor Center gives visitors a new way to explore America s Most Historic Square Mile and the greater downtown Philly area on a guided Segway tour or by bike. The Visitor Center is thrilled to welcome Philadelphia Segway Tours by Wheel Fun to the building, said James J. Cuorato, President & CEO of the IVCC. This partnership is a great opportunity to connect our visitors to a fun and exciting way of exploring Philadelphia and to also connect with our residents on the ease and convenience of utilizing the Visitor Center and its amenities. For the third consecutive year, the Visitor Center hosted a pep rally celebrating the beginning of the Philadelphia Phillies season. This year s event was particularly special in that it marked the beginning of a ticket partnership that, for the first time, granted the Visitor Center the privilege of selling Phillies game day tickets. Look out tourists! Colonial Phanatic to give a Phillies salute to visitors on May 28. Philadelphia Phillies, May 23, 2013 May 14,

4 partnerships (cont.) MARKETING PARTNERSHIP WITH VISIT PHILADELPHIA (Formally Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation) Our marketing partnership with Visit Philadelphia continues to thrive online and in print advertising initiatives. visitphilly.com & PHLvisitorcenter.com Visitphilly.com continues to be one of the top drivers to PHLvisitorcenter.com, behind only search and direct traffic. The partnership goes both ways, as PHLvisitorcenter.com also directed 14,014 visits to visitphilly.com this fiscal year. Visitor Center & With Love Philadelphia XOXO By leveraging the equity of the With Love Philadelphia XOXO brand and incorporating it into the IVCC s advertising creative and messaging, visitors experience a continuity of the brand. While the bulk of the Visit Philadelphia ad campaign resides out-of-market to attract visitors to Philadelphia, the IVCC s media placements are primarily hyper-local so visitors will recognize the brand once they arrive. of foot traffic at the Visitor 78%Center are leisure travelers. 6 out of 10 visitors plan their trip within 3 months of their visit. 4

5 events & promotions The IVCC seeks to generate national exposure for the Visitor Center and the Historic District by working with organizations on events and promotions among our country s greatest treasures. SPIRIT AIRLINES ROUND-TRIP TICKET GIVEAWAY Independence Visitor Center to give away 1,000 free Spirit Airlines flights on Thursday, May 26 to mark Spirit starting service to Philadelphia. Uwishunu.com, May 10, U.S. OPEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP On Independence Mall the Independence Visitor Center saw a 17% increase in visitors from Friday to Sunday of the tournament week. Visitors were attracted in part by the outdoor U.S. Open Experience, which had putting greens, U.S. Open merchandise and the all-important Jumbotron so people could watch golf action from Independence Mall. The Philadelphia Business Journal, June 26, 2013 Colin Yo, Rocky!!! Hahaha!! Just kidding, gang. A MODERN DAY FOUNDING FATHER NOW STANDS IN THE VISITOR CENTER We know visitors to Philadelphia really love Rocky. So without further ado, we present: Rocky at the Visitor Cntr. Tweeted May 24, Followers increased by 45% in FY 13 With more than 12,000 followers and growing, the IVCC s Twitter was verified marking it the official virtual concierge and resource for visitor information while sightseeing in the Philadelphia region. 5

6 Statement of Financial position June 30, 2013 Assets Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 813,686 Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents 288,556 Accounts Receivable 338,936 Grants Receivable 212,500 Prepaid Expenses 114,511 Total Current Assets 1,768,189 Property and Equipment Equipment 101,728 Less: Accumulated Depreciation (45,211) Total Property and Equipment, net 56,517 Investments 9,280,613 Total Assets $ 11,105,319 Liabilities and Net Assets Current Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $ 1,347,353 Deferred Revenue 84,266 Total Liabilities, all current 1,431,619 Net Assets Unrestricted 7,603,699 Temporarily Restricted 70,001 Permanently Restricted 2,000,000 Total Net Assets 9,673,700 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 11,105,319 6

7 Statement of Cash Flows June 30, 2013 Cash Flows from Operating Activities Decrease in Net Assets $ (2,212,600) Adjustments to Reconcile Decrease in Net Assets to Net Cash Used In Operating Activities: Depreciation 17,103 Realized and Unrealized Gains on Investments (675,153) Decrease in Operating Assets: Accounts Receivable 182,171 Grants Receivable 22,661 Prepaid Expenses 42,078 Increase in Operating Liabilities: Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 925,863 Deferred Revenue 13,669 Net Cash Used in Operating Activities (1,684,208) Cash Flows from Investing Activities Purchases of Investments (2,281,095) Sales of Investments 2,009,073 Decrease in Restricted Cash 1,106,327 Net Cash Provided By Investing Activities 834,305 Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (849,903) Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of year 1,663,589 Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of year $ 813,686 7

8 Board of Directors JOSEPH T. ASHDALE Assistant Business Manager/ Secretary-Treasurer District Council No. 21 International Union of Painters & Allied Trades LYNN R. AXELROTH, ESQUIRE Partner Ballard Spahr, LLP W. BRADLEY BATURKA Principal Elko & Associates Ltd THOMAS A. CARAMANICO President McCormick, Taylor, Inc. MICHAEL COSTELLO General Manager Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing J.J. (JONATHAN J.) CUTLER PAUL R. DECKER JOHN H. ESTEY, ESQUIRE CHAIRMAN Executive Vice-President for Administration Hershey Trust Company JACK FERGUSON President & CEO Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau LYN R. KREMER Publisher The Philadelphia Business Journal MERYL LEVITZ President & CEO Visit Philadelphia (Formerly Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation) PAUL R. LEVY Executive Director Center City District STEPHEN P. MULLIN President and Principal Econsult Solutions ROBERT N.C. NIX, III WILLIAM B. PETERSEN Vice President and Associate General Counsel Verizon TIM REEVES CEO Neiman Group AMY SHEARER Chief Marketing Officer The Philadelphia Zoo MARC WOOLLEY Deputy General Counsel, Secretary and CCO Hershey Trust Company MAYOR S REPRESENTATIVE: MARGARET HUGHES First Deputy City Representative City of Philadelphia GOVERNOR S REPRESENTATIVE: WILLIAM A. BILL GRAHAM, IV The Graham Company ONE NORTH INDEPENDENCE MALL WEST 6TH & MARKET STREETS PHILADELPHIA, PA (800) , (215) PHLVisitorCenter.com The Independence Visitor Center Corporation (IVCC) is a Pennsylvania non-profit, 501(c)3 organization which operates in cooperation with the efforts of the National Park Service, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Philadelphia, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Independence Visitor Center is the primary point of orientation for Independence National Historical Park, the City of Philadelphia, the Southern New Jersey and Delaware River waterfronts, as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.