Pennsylvania Convention Center Becomes First Convention Center to Earn Accessibility Certification from Sage Inclusion

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Pennsylvania Convention Center Becomes First Convention Center to Earn Accessibility Certification from Sage Inclusion

4/29/2025
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) has become the first convention center in the United States to become Sage Certified, affirming that the facility meets accessibility standards for individuals with mobility, visual, hearing, cognitive, and allergy-related disabilities. Sage Inclusion offers accessibility certification and training for organizations as part of its mission of promoting accessible and inclusive travel to global destinations.

“We are firmly committed to being a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible facility for all event attendees,” said John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “We have found that event organizers have a strong desire to ensure their events are accessible, but, in many cases, they lack the specialized expertise. By achieving this certification, we’ve laid the groundwork and can assure our customers that our facility is accessible for all attendees. This is important for meeting planners, because it means attendees with disabilities would be more willing to attend in-person events since they do not have to worry about accessibility barriers and the quality of their experience at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.”

Sage Inclusion’s assessment of the PCC was a process spanning several months and included an on-site inspection of the facility. In addition to assessing whether the PCC met Sage Best Practices, the process also evaluated whether the building and its operations met national and international accessibility standards, including Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards, as well as ISO 21542-2021 (Building construction – Accessibility and usability of the built environment) and ISO 21902-2021 (Tourism and related services – Accessible Tourism for all – Requirements and recommendations). The certification is valid for a period of three years.

Amy Jukes, Chief Operations Officer with Sage Inclusion conducts the accessibility audit at the Pennsylvania Convention Center as Dominique Bonds, Director of Engagement and Calathea Pacifica, Engagement Coordinator with ASM Global look on.

The scope of the certification evaluated entrance accessibility; aspects of the internal environment, such as lighting, noise level, and vertical movement (stairs, elevators, and escalators); box office reception; seating; accessible bathrooms; concession stands; meeting rooms, ballroom, the Michael A. Nutter Theatre, Broad Street Atrium; shopping area; and the new executive boardroom.

“Becoming Sage Certified demonstrates the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity and underscores that the facility is a leader in creating accessible experiences,” said John Sage, founder and CEO of Sage Inclusion. “Approximately 20 to 25 percent of the population in developed countries have a disability, a number that will grow as Baby Boomers age. It represents a significant portion of the population that event planners and convention centers need to take into account.”

“The certification process was a valuable tool for assessing both our strengths and areas for improvement,” said Tony Hodgins, Regional General Manager of ASM Global, which manages the day-today operations of the PCC. “We are committed to continuously evaluating the ways in which we can enhance our accessibility and the customer experience. With 2026 on the horizon – and many major events slated to occur in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Convention Center – it means a lot that we can say that we are truly an inclusive and accessible venue.”

McNichol noted that the PCC is already taking steps to further enhance its commitment to accessibility, including accessibility and inclusive customer service training; development of a comprehensive accessibility policy; evaluating the conversion of two existing meeting rooms to quiet spaces/sensory friendly areas; further enhancements to restroom facilities, and collaborating with event organizers to anticipate accessibility needs.

To learn more about accessibility at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, visit www.paconvention.com.

About the Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in Center City Philadelphia at the heart of the city's many cultural offerings and world-class dining and entertainment scene. Managed by ASM Global, the Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features one of the largest exhibit spaces and ballrooms in the Northeastern U.S. The meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events hosted by the Center attract attendees from across the country and around the world to Philadelphia, making the facility the largest economic driver of the region’s hospitality industry. For more information, visit www.paconvention.com.

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