Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, joined VFTCB members and partners to celebrate Montco’s tourism milestones and share insights on the region’s future.
Images: https://www.dropbox.com/
Annual Report: https://www.valleyforge.org/about-us/annual-report/
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) shared an optimistic outlook for tourism in Montgomery County, PA to 700 attendees, including Governor Josh Shapiro, at the organization’s Annual Luncheon event at Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia.
With a theme of “Rhythm”, the VFTCB released its 2025 Annual Report highlighting the positive economic impact of the hospitality industry in Montco. Tourism continues to be a key driver of the economy, contributing to 41,000 jobs, in the third largest county in Pennsylvania. In 2024, visitor spending generated $1.8 billion, an almost 4% increase from the previous year, according to Tourism Economics. This led to an overall $2.5 billion economic impact in Montco.
“As we find our rhythm and look ahead to 2026, I’m proud of how our team continues to move in sync, driving growth, collaboration, and excitement across Montgomery County,” said VFTCB President & CEO, Mike Bowman. “That collective energy will make next year’s historic celebrations our most impactful yet.”
Montgomery County hotels are leading the suburban market with an average daily rate of $134, and producing over $218 million in hotel room revenue, a 5% year-over-year increase, according to Lisa Karl, VFTCB Vice President of Sales & Strategic Partnerships. Additionally, Valley Forge Sports is having another record year, exceeding 100,000 room nights, 20 new events hosted, and a 6% overall growth year-over-year.
Guests celebrated with networking and entertainment by EBE Ibiza, enjoyed drinks from Workhorse Beer’s mobile truck, and explored an activation from Victus Bats, official bat partner of the MLB. Cirque du Soleil was on hand to promote their upcoming show, and Netflix House shared details about the soon-to-open attraction at the King of Prussia Mall. Attendees also had the chance to take videos with a Glambot, greet therapy dogs from the National Dog Show, and pose for photos with the real-life PGA trophy. The after party, following the program, was sponsored by Valley Forge Casino Resort.
President of the world-famous Savannah Bananas, Jared Orton has helped lead the organization’s explosive growth and redefine the fan experience through creativity, community, and joy. Known for their “Fans First” philosophy and show-stopping approach to baseball, Orton will speak to this year’s theme of rhythm, and how moving in sync toward a shared purpose can create extraordinary results.
Anne Ryan, Deputy Secretary of Tourism for Pennsylvania, spoke to how the rhythm of travel in Pennsylvania begins in Valley Forge, setting the tempo for movement, connection, and discovery across the Commonwealth.
Ryan Ogle, Championship Director of PGA of America, shared updates on the 2026 PGA Championship coming to Aronimink Golf Club — marking the first time in more than 60 years that the Major Championship will be played in the Philadelphia region. The event is expected to welcome nearly 200,000 spectators, generate more than $125 million in economic impact, and showcase Montgomery County and the surrounding region on a global stage.
Additionally, Jennie Herreid, General Manager of Netflix House Philadelphia, shared insights about the immersive, first-of-its-kind experience opening November 12 at the King of Prussia Mall, giving guests an exclusive look at what visitors can expect.
The VFTCB’s Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Rachel Riley, reported on this year’s marketing campaign success, Montco Jazz Fest, web & kiosk performance, PR & social success, as well as announced Cirque du Soleil’s incoming 2026 show. Luzia will arrive at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks May of next year and has already opened a guest waitlist. Riley additionally debuted new VFTCB promotional videos. Collectively, the summer marketing campaign generated over 27 million impressions and the arts marketing campaign reached more than 19 million people. The VFTCB’s website, valleyforge.org, saw over 1.7 million pageviews this year, with over 880,000 new users, and record email subscribers.
Visit Valley Forge’s social following has grown to more than 290,000 with millions of video views and the VFTCB has seen more than $4.2K in editorial mentions – no. 1 in the region – with a reach of more than 7.8 billion to date.
The second recipient of The Paul Decker, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, and Eric and Carol Davies Hospitality Scholarship, Bavly Abdelmasih, was announced and honored at the event as well.
Sponsors and partners for the event included: Elmwood Park Zoo, Key Bank, Montgomery County Community College, PHLCVB, IBEW 98, Party Rental LTD, The Inn at Villanova University, Founding Forward, Comcast Spectacor, The Proving Grounds, Wurzak Hotel Group, Highmark, King of Prussia Mall, AG Marketing Solutions, Innovative Catering Concepts, MONTCO Today, PGA Philadelphia, PGA Reach Philadelphia, PECO, Infradapt, PAED, ServPro - Team Fabiani, PGA, MEA, Swag It, Kevin Smith Transportation Group, Forge Hospitality, Yuengling, Netflix House Philadelphia, Malady & Wooten, NBC 10, Merrill Lynch, EMCCC, Madden Media, ACE Limousine, Advanced Staging Productions, Philadelphia Premium Outlets, Top Golf, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, A to Z Party Rental, Expedia Group Advertising, Conshy Girls, Tonz of Fun, Drexel University, Historic Trappe, Today is a Good Day, iFly, EPYSA, Geiger, Simpleview, Amazing Escape/Bury the Hatchet, DJB Specialties, Victus Sports (official bat partner of the MLB), Valley Forge Casino Resort, Synergetic, Steel City, Karley's Rental, National Dog Show, Elysium Marketing Group, Cirque du Soleil, Workhorse Brewing Co, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Ebe Ibizia (Band), Filmgarden.