Philly Flower Show Lost $1.2 Million, And Leader Blames TV

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society usually makes about $1 million in profits from the Philadelphia Flower Show.

But not this year.

The 2013 show actually fell short about $1.2 million, not an unprecedented event in its 184-year history but a short-term disaster for the many urban “greening” programs it supports.  PHS president Drew Becher is now scrambling to cut costs – and to raise $1 million for programs and $200,000 for Flower Show expenses from PHS members and an insurance policy.

For all this, he blames local TV and radio stations.

With unusual bluntness, Becher accuses them of “hyping up” a major snowstorm during Flower Show week that never materialized – but led to scores of canceled tour buses and visitors, and the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket and merchandise sales.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20130519_Flower_Show_lost__1_2_million__and_leader_blames_TV.html#Gok7XbSLiFH34U2D.99

Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs Plans June 18 Job Fair – Needs To Fill 250 Positions

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

PLAINS TOWNSHIP— With regional unemployment above 9 percent, a job fair in five weeks to fill 250 positions at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs’ soon-to-open hotel/convention center is likely to draw thousands.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Assistant General Manager Kara Fox-LaRose on Wednesday said rather than just inviting job seekers to send in resumes or applications, the venue will hold an on-site job fair 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 18.  Interviews will take place in July and the staff will be hired throughout the summer to be trained, she said.

The $50 million hotel and convention center will have seven floors, 238 hotel rooms, a bistro, a 4,150-square-foot Spa Sapphire, an indoor pool and fitness center and the 20,000-square-foot convention center able to seat 850 people for dinners and other events.  It also will be able to hold entertainment events for 1,500 people.

Its targeted opening date is Oct. 1.  It will be the largest hotel in Luzerne County and will give the casino the ability to attract customers from farther distances.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/497024/Casino-hotel-seeking-250-employees

Philadelphia Flower Show Opens Tomorrow

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You may not have even noticed, but after just three years, the Philadelphia International Flower Show is back to being the Philadelphia Flower Show.

The global moniker was always a stretch, but its quick demise was surprising, given the fanfare surrounding its debut.

“Calling something international doesn’t really mean anything, and ‘Philadelphia International Flower Show’ was a mouthful,” said Drew Becher, who became president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in mid-2010, after the new name had gone into effect.

Produced by PHS, the show runs Saturday through March 10, at the Convention Center, following sneak peeks this afternoon and Saturday morning for members. [Tickets run from $15 in advance for children to $32 for adults at the door.]

Officially, the new name is PHS Philadelphia Flower Show – and it’s all about branding.

Read more:  http://www.philly.com/philly/home/gardening/20130301_Flora_Fantastic.html

Nashville’s Latest Hit? The City Itself

NASHVILLE — Portland knows the feeling.  Austin had it once, too.  So did Dallas.

English: Collage of Nashville landmarks. Top row: 2nd Avenue, Kirkland Hall (Vanderbilt University), The Parthenon; Middle row: Nashville Skyline; Bottom row: LP Field, Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even Las Vegas enjoyed a brief moment as the nation’s “it” city.

Now, it’s Nashville’s turn.

Here in a city once embarrassed by its Grand Ole Opry roots, a place that sat on the sidelines while its Southern sisters boomed economically, it is hard to find a resident who does not break into the goofy grin of the newly popular when the subject of Nashville’s status comes up.

Mayor Karl Dean, a Democrat in his second term, is the head cheerleader.

Read more:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/09/us/nashville-takes-its-turn-in-the-spotlight.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&hp

City Of Lancaster Gets High Marks As Travel Destination From Philadelphia Inquirer

Glad to see that people are finally noticing what Lancaster has to offer! 

THERE’S MORE to Lancaster than outlets and buggies.

Although the eighth-largest city in Pennsylvania is closely associated with the Pennsylvania Dutch, a community that came to this part of Penn’s Woods back in the early 1700s, there’s as much city as there is country to this picturesque part of the state…

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20111007_Lancaster__More_than_just_Amish.html?viewAll=y#ixzz1a6sGAITg

Slots Approved For Valley Forge Convention Center

Image via Wikipedia

Potts Vegas never materialized but it appears slot machines will be making their way into the Valley Forge Convention Center after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court approved their casino license.

Six-hundred slot machines and fifty gaming tables are planned for the convention center.  Upper Merion Township supervisors have already approved this plan.  No date for the completion of the project was announced but officials are looking to get this up and running ASAP.  

The addition of gambling will give the Valley Forge Convention Center another means to attract customers and make the convention center more of a destination.

Limerick Township turned down a casino but Upper Merion Township is certainly embracing it.