WHY PHILLY?

Philadelphia was selected as the host city for E7 because of its location, accessibility, size, and educational heritage. The fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, Philadelphia has approximately 6 million people. It is easily accessible via the Philadelphia International Airport -- serviced by 30 airline carriers -- and the 30th Street Amtrak Station. And its convenient location on the Mid-Atlantic coast places it within a four-hour drive for approximately one-sixth of the country's population.

Philadelphia was the site for many of our country's "firsts."  In 1749, Benjamin Franklin founded the University of Pennsylvania with the nation's first modern liberal arts curriculum. Philadelphia places a high value on education: in addition to the ivy-league University of Pennsylvania, the greater Philadelphia area hosts more than 45 colleges and universities, including Temple University, Drexel University, Villanova University, St. Joseph's University, LaSalle University, Bryn Mawr College, Swarthmore College, and Lehigh University.

Along with its great location and focus on history and education, Philadelphia is a great place for families. Philly has over 30 museums, including the Philadelphia Zoo, Franklin Institute Science Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Please Touch Museum, and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania.  Other popular attractions in Philadelphia and nearby include Independence Mall, the Liberty Bell, Penn's Landing, Sesame Place, and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Philly also hosts numerous summertime festivals, fairs and concerts.  For more information about activities for families in the Philadelphia area, check out http://www.aroundphilly.com/category-4.htm and http://www.gophila.com/c/your_philadelphia/14/family_friendy_philadelphia/264.html

What better place than the "City of Brotherly Love" to reconnect families and build new friendships.