Mayor Kenney Encourages Philly Residents To Stay Put During DNC
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- If you're thinking of escaping the city during the Democratic National Convention this summer, Mayor Jim Kenney and the Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee are asking you to reconsider. They're using a new campaign called 'You Don't Want To Miss This' to make their point.
An untold number of Philadelphia residents fled to the Jersey shore and the mountains during the pope's visit in September. But Mayor Kenney says the DNC is different. He's encouraging folks to stay and be great ambassadors for the city.
"We don't want people to go to the Jersey shore. We don't want people to go to the mountains," the mayor said. "I think it's really important that people stay home, show off Philadelphia, be friendly to the delegates, interact with people at the Reading Terminal Market. On the street, you'll be able to see these delegates. They'll have their credentials on, engage them, go up and really sell Philadelphia."
Kenney says the DNC is history in the making. He sees it as an opportunity to propel Philadelphia further into the international spotlight.
"It's not just about the DNC in 2016, it's about the city's future going forward," Kenney said. "We had a great success with the pope and this is just going to continue to mount and build on the success that's been in the past as we go forward."
The campaign is meant to highlight reasons for people to stay, including a number of shopping and dining discounts.