Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board President and CEO Mike Bowman addresses members of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners during a Sept. 4, 2025, meeting. (Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
Elected officials recently appointed more than two dozen members to the AMERICA250 Montgomery County Commission as preparations to celebrate the nation’s Semiquincentennial.
Led by former Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence Jr., the 26-member working group’s terms will continue through Sept. 4, 2028, as some select historically significant events will occur in the years immediately following the nation’s 250th birthday.
“It’s not about ‘26, we’re strategically focused on ‘27 and ‘28,” said Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board President and CEO Mike Bowman.
Bowman and several high-ranking members of the King of Prussia-based nonprofit addressed the trio of county commissioners, showcasing several economic drivers that will bring more than an estimated 1 million people to the area.
“One thing is for sure: Montco is going to shine under the global spotlight. You have my commitment, my team’s commitment,” Bowman said.
Philadelphia has received large crowds during previous events, including Pope Francis’ visit to the city in 2015, the 2016 Democratic National Convention and most recently, the Truist Championship held in May at Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Flourtown course.
Over the “12-month rolling hotel performance,” tourism officials observed “strong momentum.”
“Montgomery County for the last 12 rolling months has had unbelievable success,” Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s Senior Vice President of Operations Jake Markezin said during the Sept. 5 presentation, highlighting February and May performance rates.
While February generated $19 million in hotel revenue, an “insane growth year-over-year,” Markezin credited May’s $30.7 million with “the success of the Truist.”
“Forty-thousand folks came to Montgomery County to visit Philadelphia Cricket Club for the Truist Championship and that really did move the needle,” Markezin said, stressing “that was a record month for any month for Montgomery County when it comes to hotel room revenue, which is what we’re focused on.”
As Montgomery County and the greater Philadelphia region prepare to play host to several upcoming athletic and cultural events, Bowman stressed the need to “fill 9,500 hotel rooms.” Markezin agreed, surveying present and future economic impact figures as officials prepare to receive an influx of people for several upcoming events. In addition to general Semiquincentennial-related activities, the Philadelphia area will host FIFA World Cup games, March Madness, the MLB All-Star game, and the PGA Tour.
While 2025 figures estimated $2.5 billion in tourism economic impact that supports around 40,000 jobs, Markezin emphasized 2026 will be a “once in a lifetime opportunity” that could bring “$250 million in additional economic impact through all these events that are taking place in the region and Montgomery County.”
March Madness, which is expected to take place on March 20 and 22 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Center, could see some 40,000 attendees, according to Markezin, reflecting “future forecast” figures.
The Newtown Square-based Aronimink Golf Club will host the 2026 PGA Championship tournament from May 11-17, which Markezin said could bring roughly 200,000 people to the area. Markezin said he expects the upcoming PGA Tour will “truly [be] the Truist on steroids.” Bowman added that hotel rooms are already filling up ahead of the event.
In addition, around 500,000 people could come out to see six FIFA World Cup games at Lincoln Financial Field from June 8 to July 4, Markezin said, and Citizens Bank Park will host the MLB All-Star Game on July 13 and 14, with an anticipated 100,000 attendees.
Valley Forge National Historical Park to play role in Semiquincentennial
Looking ahead to the historical events associated with the nation’s 250th anniversary, officials expect Valley Forge National Historical Park to play a role. Superintendent Rose Fennell said the national park hoped to form partnerships with the county tourism board and county government.
“All of this is just a precursor to our really big show, which is the arrival of George Washington’s (Continental) Army on Dec. 19 in 1777, and then their departure in 1778 on June 19,” Fennell said.
While the park’s significance came in the year following the nation’s founding, Fennell expressed plans to honor the Semiquincentennial.
Officials noted plans to hold public readings of the Declaration of Independence across the county in a program called “Houses of Declaration.” Rachel Riley, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s vice president of marketing and communications, spotlighted Blue Bell, Conshohocken, East Greenville, Hatfield, King of Prussia, Norristown, Pottstown, and Trappe as possible locations.
“This is our way of honoring the declaration’s birthplace, and celebrating that that’s how most folks would have found out we declared our independence in the 1700s at the local pub or tavern,” Riley said.
Fennell agreed, acknowledging that the “document’s power was not just in its ratification, but its reading on the steps of churches and balconies and public buildings … and shops and parlors.”
“Each venue will determine how it wants to celebrate the Declaration of Independence,” Fennell said, adding, “One vision I have is, for example, a reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Montgomery County Commissioners on the steps of One Montgomery Plaza” in Norristown.
“To have the reading of the declaration and its heard by the citizenry on July 4, 2026, I think is going to be a very powerful experience,” Fennell said.
Fennell encouraged participation from county commissioners in future discussions with respect to “traffic management” and transportation as the park prepares for large crowds. Cultivating ongoing relationships with government and tourism partners was crucial for Fennell.
It was something Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder responded in kind.
“Thank you for this and helping us get prepared,” she said.
Winder took pause when officials spoke about the Declaration of Independence. Reflecting on Fennell’s reading over a few lines, Winder said it rang true for her.
“The other thing that just resonated with me especially in this moment … that we’re in as a country, and the work you all are collectively doing is modeling putting our differences aside, coming together for one common part of our history, and I hope that as we look to celebrate America’s 250th birthday … that we’ll remember that everyone that calls Montgomery County and America home, that all men and women should be created equal,” Winder said.
Along with Lawrence and Riley, the following people were selected to serve as members of the AMERICA250 Montgomery County Commission: Hally Ammons, James Barry, Dominque Bernardo, Regina Broscius, Emilio Buitrago, Richard Detwiler, Kadia Edwards, Tony Heyl, Amy Johnson, Daniel Kaye, Samar Khan, Joyce Keller, Karen Lynch, M. Courtney Marengo, Patricia Mark, Paula McDevitt, Michael Okenquist, Kenneth Olin, Kiran Padgaonkar, Suzanne Ryanm Sandy Sharma, Michelle Sonsino, Denise Williams, and David Young.
