Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks To Open January 2009

American Expo Corp. is proud to announce the opening of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks in January, 2009. According to General Manager Chris Welch, “It is a dream facility, with 210,000+ square feet of exhibitor‐friendly space plus all the amenities essential for hosting successful trade and consumer events.” General Manager Bill Marchese adds: “Not only is it one of largest privately owned exhibition centers on the east coast, it’s just twenty minutes from Philadelphia and is easily accessed from five major Mid‐Atlantic routes.”

Economic Impact: Based on a 2007 study, “we can anticipate approximately $280 million in annual economic impact on the region,” according to Paul Decker, president of the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau. A top trade show venue with capacity for 1,000 booths, the Expo Center will draw out‐of town visitors and consumer events will serve as attractions for families residing in Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Bucks, Lehigh and Philadelphia counties. Population in Montgomery County alone exceeds 750,000 with an annual household income estimated at over $65,000.

Family entertainment and shopping destination: Welch and Marchese expect to hold over eighty events each year in the exhibition halls, which can be partitioned to serve multiple simultaneous shows. Says Joyce Mockus of D & D Expositions, “We are thrilled to open our Suburban Home & Flower Show at Oaks this February. In addition to featuring 150,000 sq. ft. of home related products and services, the space allows us to showcase top area landscapers in acres of gorgeous gardens.” It is situated off the Oaks Exit of Route 422 in the Marketplace @ Oaks, a family entertainment and shopping destination featuring Target, Lowe's, Regal Stadium 24 Marketplace, the 100,000 sq. ft. Arnold's Family Fun Center, Gold's Gym, The Dump for discount furniture, 422 Shoe Warehouse, Philadelphia Rock Gym, Par Breakers Golf Academy and more. “A five story, 135 room Hilton Garden Inn adjacent to the new Expo Center Is slated to open early 2010,” according to Tony D'Orsogna, vice president of Audubon Land Development Co., which also owns and operates the nearby Homewood Suites in Audubon.

Sustainability: The building itself is being developed on an existing site owned by American Expo Corp. by retrofitting an empty warehouse that was formerly was used to produce metal goods like school lockers. As opposed to new construction, the ultimate ecologically responsible method of building is to reuse and many of the existing fixtures will be recycled and adapted with modern materials. The facility is using high efficiency and natural lighting. American Expo Corp has planted 325 trees and 533 shrubs around the building and on the newly extended Station Avenue, leading directly to the doors of the facility.