Updates

Economy League Presents 2026: Future Histories of Greater Philadelphia

April 26, 2011

(April 21, 2011 – Philadelphia, PA)  Four “future histories” of the Philadelphia region will be presented and their implications explained on April 28, 2011 at 2026: Future Histories of Greater Philadelphia at WHYY’s Hamilton Media Commons. The four scenarios were developed by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. They are based on more than a year’s research to consider the possible results of forces and trends at work in the region, nation, and globe. A report detailing the futures also will be published online.

 

“Future Histories provides a bedrock foundation for our region as we determine how Greater Philadelphia will develop in the 21st Century,” said Steve Wray, Executive Director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.  “As competition escalates with other cities and regions around the world on the basis of talent, innovation, jobs, and quality of life, we expect that the scenarios and the work yet to comewill begin an informed conversation about where we should place our best bets.”

 

The free, public event (registration required) on April 28 will mark the completion of the second of four phases of World Class Greater Philadelphia, the Economy League’s initiative to ensure that the Philadelphia region is a world class place to live, work, and play by the year 2026 -- the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

 

World Class Greater Philadelphia is built on two principles: regions that are proactive rather than reactive are more successful than their competitors, and strategies developed through cross-sector collaboration are more likely to be implemented than unilateral efforts.

 

The future histories of Greater Philadelphia were developed using scenario planning. Scenario planning is a strategic planning tool that creates plausible stories of the future based on detailed analysis of global forces and events. The strength of scenario planning is in asking questions and stimulating discussion that will build consensus around what needs to be done to capitalize on our assets and address our weaknesses -- no matter what the future looks like. 

 

“Recent history suggests that nothing is more certain than uncertainty,” said Wray. “Working with these futures will help Greater Philadelphia to be resilient and to thrive because -- or in spite -- of change.”

 

The four futures to be presented on April 28 are based on months of research, analysis, and interviews. In 2009, the Economy League completed foundational research into how Greater Philadelphia is perceivedin the US and abroad. In spring 2010, the Economy League convened 17 roundtables throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware of diverse groups of business, nonprofit, government, labor, and community leaders to discuss their priorities for the region’s future. That fall, the distillation of those roundtables informed a two-day scenario planning workshop led by Conshohocken-based strategy firm Decision Strategies International. This May and June, the Economy League will organize a second series of roundtables to develop the shortlist of priorities key to positioning Greater Philadelphia as a world class region. What these priorities are and how to achieve them will be the focus of the next World Class Greater Philadelphia event scheduled for fall 2011.

 

While this kind of effort is a new idea for Greater Philadelphia, it’s modeled after initiatives in forward-thinking cities and regions around the world. The Economy League Board of Directors, the initiative’s investors, and hundreds of World Class individual and organizational supporters believe that there’s no better time than the present for Greater Philadelphiato examine itself with a critical eye, bring people together around shared goals, and work collaboratively to develop a strategy that will ensure that this region is world class -- not just tomorrow, but for decades to come.

 

WORLD CLASS WEBSITE & A VIDEO CONTEST

 

Also on April 28, the Economy League will launch FastForward Philadelphia, a video contest, and the new online home of World Class Greater Philadelphia, www.WorldClassGreaterPhila.org.   

 

FastForward will challenge area artists to create an original short video about life in the Philadelphia area in 2026, as described in the report 2026: Future Histories of Greater Philadelphia. A panel of judges, consisting of recognized leaders in the local arts and media communities, will award cash prizes of $2,026 in four categories: Storytelling, Artistic Vision, Production Value, and Spirit of Greater Philadelphia. To date, the judges are Sean Buffington, Ray Carballada, Kim Delaney, Happy Fernandez, Nancy Glass, Tigre Hill, and Sharon Pinkenson. Four People’s Choice awards will be determined by popular vote. Winning videos will be highlighted on Philly.com and will be screened at a Philadelphia Fringe Festival event. 

 

WorldClassGreaterPhiladephia.org will be the hub of all things World Class: FastForward contest voting, research and reports, events, fundraising, and ways to get involved.

 

WORLD CLASS GREATER PHILADELPHIA SUPPORTERS

 

Co-chairs

 

  • Steven M. Altschuler, MD, President and CEO of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Gerard H. Sweeney, President and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust
  • Jane G. Pepper, former head of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
  • Wendell Pritchett, JD, PhD, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Camden

Investors

 

  • Platinum Investors - Brandywine Realty Trust and H.F. (Gerry) & Marguerite Lenfest
  • Gold Investors - Cephalon,  PECO Energy Company, Pepper Hamilton LLP, PNC Financial Services Group, Radian Group , Shire Pharmaceuticals, Sunoco
  • Silver Investors - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dow Chemical Company, Holy Redeemer Health System, ParenteBeard LLC, David Seltzer, StradleyRonon Stevens & Young, LLP, Suzanne and Steve Wray
  • Bronze Investors are Dunleavy & Associates, James M. Buck III, James P. Dunigan, Spouting Rock Consulting
  • Foundations - Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, William Penn Foundation
  • Government - US Economic Development Administration

 

Beginning April 28, visit www.WorldClassGreaterPhila.org  to stay current with the initiative. On Twitter, follow @worldclassphly.

 

2026: Future Histories of Greater Philadelphia

7:30 – 9:30 AM

WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia

Register at www.economyleague.org/worldclass

 

About World Class Greater Philadelphia

 

World Class Greater Philadelphia is an initiative that convenes business, nonprofit, government, labor, and community leaders to establish a set of long-term priorities and focused strategies to better our region. Facilitated by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, this multi-year initiative strives to make the region a world class place to live, work, and play by 2026 – the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For more information, visit www.worldclassgreaterphila.org.

 

About the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

 

The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to ensuring the region's prosperity through analysis and action. We bring together established and emerging leaders to understand the region's challenges and work toward innovative solutions.