Contributing to the economic vitality of Lancaster by providing an inviting,
world-class business and event destination for guests.

LCCCA Strategic Priorities

Lancaster County Convention Center Authority’s Mission & Outcome – 2025 thru 2028

Mission:

Provide an inviting, well-managed, and well-maintained Lancaster County Convention Center facility for guests.

Outcome:

Lancaster County Convention Center contributes to the economic development of the City of Lancaster and Lancaster County.

Commitments:

  • Meeting all required financial covenants.
  • Continuing Covenant Agreement – bond issuance, reserves, 80/20 mechanism.

Strategic Priorities:

  • Complete development of 21 – 23 East Vine Street into the offices of the LCCCA.
  • Work with LancasterHistory in their completion of the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy; including implementation of utility monitoring system for LancasterHistory’s reimbursement of LCCCA/LCCC expenses.
  • Redevelop South end of LCCC, known as Commons on Vine, into event space with latest A/V technology including 40’ video wall in the largest space.
  • Development of 106 South Christian Street into storage space for LCCC annual use decorations and equipment.
  • Public and Stakeholder benefits.
  • Support attraction of Priority 1 and Priority 2 events.
  • Advocate for all hotels in Lancaster County, including new hotel development projects.
  • Contribute to the long-term development of the blocks immediately surrounding the Convention Center.
  • Advocate for tourism attractions, lodging, facilities and events.
  • Complete sale of Swan Hotel by March 2026.
  • Manage and maintain the Oversize Vehicle Lot on Vine St.
  • Continue to develop strategic partnerships with Lancaster City, Lancaster County, Discover Lancaster and the Lancaster City Alliance.

 Ongoing Commitments:

  • General Overview of Integrated Facility Ownership & Operations                                                                Lancaster County Convention Center Authority (LCCCA)
    • Meeting space – boardrooms, meeting rooms, ballrooms – from 4thfloor through to Vine Street Lobby
    • Exhibit Hall
    • Main Kitchen serving the restaurant and catering
    • Thaddeus Stevens, Lydia Hamilton Smith, Kleiss Saloon properties
  • Penn Square Partners(PSP – Penn Square General Corporation, an affiliate of the High Companies; and limited partner Penn Square Ltd., an affiliate of Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.)
    • Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square: West Tower (Floors 5-19) & East Tower (Floors 2-11)
    • Plough Restaurant
    • The Exchange Roof Top Bar
    • Lease 3rd& 4th floor meeting rooms and ballroom from LCCCA
    • 20 Year Food and Beverage Agreement: Catering services throughout the integrated facility
    • Montgomery House
  • Joint Ownership
    • Great Room (Penn Square Lobby)
    • 4thFloor Aimbridge Hospitality office space
  • Aimbridge Hospitality operates under separate contracts with the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority and Penn Square Partners. (Aimbridge Hospitality also operates the Jointly Owned Property)
  • Lancaster County Convention Center Authority Financial Structure
    • Debt Structure
      • 2022 LCCCA Series A & Series B bonds
        • Series A Bond issuance $ 6,722,913.75
        • Series B Bond issuance $ 60,270,284.35
      • Bonds publicly marketed by both Raymond James (66.67%) and RBC (33.33%).
      • M&T Bank: Trustee
        • Manages and performs all actions as described in the bond indenture
        • Receives proceeds from Hotel Room Rental Tax which funds reserves
        • Pays expenses from reserves
        • Funds in bond reserves are invested in US Government Securities

Supporting Materials:

  • Lancaster County Convention Center Operational Revenues
    • Meeting/Ballroom/Exhibit Hall Rent (revenue for space rental in Convention Center)
    • Audio Visual Revenue (revenue clients pay for AV Service)
    • Food & Beverage Commissions (commissions for food services)
    • Service Charges (a percentage charged for services)
    • Equipment Rental – Exhibits (rental of exhibit equipment i.e. tables, chairs, draping etc.)
    • Equipment Rental – Conference (rental of conference equipment i.e. staging, podiums, etc.)
    • Electrical/Mechanical Revenue (electrical or plumbing connections)
    • Concession Stand (sales of food and beverages excluding catering)
    • Security Services (event security services)
    • Other Services
  • Lancaster County Convention Center and Hotel Facility Statistics                                                                 Integrated Convention Center and Hotel Facility
    • Almost 3 acres of real estate
    • 451,940 square feet
    • 90,000 square feet of meeting space including 46,000 square feet in the exhibit hall, ballrooms, meeting rooms, and pre-function space; (not including the redevelopment of an estimated 17,000 square feet of the south end of the LCCC)
    • Over 300 employees (over 65% are City of Lancaster residents)
    • 15 elevators
    • 3 banks of escalators
    • 10,000 square feet in Great Room (jointly owned Penn Square lobby)
    • 12,000-pound capacity freight elevator
    • 32 feet of ceiling height in exhibit hall
    • 88 toilets in public restrooms
    • 119-year-old Watt & Shand façade
  • Historic Properties (in the Penn Square Condominium Association)
    • LCCCA owned historic properties
      • Thaddeus Stevens properties (leased to LancasterHistory)
        • office, residence, and Kleiss Saloon
        • Recognized by the National Park Service with inclusion on the “National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Listings’.
        • LancasterHistory projects the opening of ‘The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy’ in spring of 2026.
      • Lydia Hamilton Smith properties (used solely by LCCCA)
        • Offices of the LCCCA to receive Certificate of Occupancy in spring of 2025
    • Penn Square Partners owned property
      • Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
        • 415 rooms
      • Montgomery House
        • One of the first Federal Design homes, 206 years old
      • Plough Restaurant
      • Exchange Restaurant (Rooftop)
      • 2 Kings Restaurant
  • Permanent Art Collection
    • The Lancaster County Convention Center Authority supports the rich cultural heritage of Lancaster through its on-site permanent art collection. A committee of local art professionals selected the 13-piece collection from works by 13 local artists.
  • Lancaster County Convention Center Authority’s Fiduciary Responsibilities
    • Manage the LCCCA’s strategic relationship with Raymond James, and RBC, and trustee.
    • Work cooperatively with Discover Lancaster to promote tourism
    • Work cooperatively with Penn Square Partners to promote tourism
    • Manage the LCCCA’s physical and fiscal assets
    • Ensure appropriate checks and balances to provide good financial stewardship
    • Provide oversight of Aimbridge Hospitality’s Convention Center operations and contract
    • Conduct public board and committee meetings
  • Distribution of Lancaster County Hotel Room Rental Tax
    • Lancaster County Treasures Office collects monthly Hotel Room Rental Tax
    • Hotel Room Rental Tax is deposited into M&T Bank (Trustee)
    • Predetermined amount is deposited into LCCCA’s Operating Administrative Account
  • Lancaster County Convention Center Authority’s Financial Realities
    • The LCCCA has a responsibility of ownership and managing the following:
      • Administrative expenses
      • Contract with Aimbridge Hospitality.
      • Manage Oversize Vehicle lot: insuring, administration, maintenance, usage, and rental.
      • Leased Historic property to LancasterHistory.
      • Lydia Hamilton Smith properties.
      • Swan Hotel through to sale closing.
  • The LCCCA does not have control over the following:
    • Overall economic climate
    • Hotel Room Rental Tax
    • Unexpected, significant increases in utility rates

Governance:

Third Class County Convention Center Authority Act of 1994 and Municipal Authority Act of 1945

The purpose of a convention center should be the promotion, attraction, stimulation, development and expansion of business, industry, commerce, and tourism in the county seat, the surrounding counties and the Commonwealth as a whole.

The Lancaster County Convention Center should provide direct benefits to:

  • The hotel industry
  • The restaurant and entertainment industries
  • Other businesses that serve the convention/tourism industry

 

 

 

 

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