Visitor, Volunteer and Invaluable Staff

There is a wonderful symmetry about this story – two visiting groups flanking a dedicated volunteer.

Holly Hess, although a St. David’s resident, was a member of the Pinehurst, North Carolina group we welcomed to the 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show. Holly was a guest of her mother-in-law, a denizen of this southern state that sends us so many avid visitors.

Holly was instantly smitten! As she wrote in a note to us, “I was so impressed that I knew I wanted to be involved with your organization.”

She became involved indeed – coming in on Fridays to help with office work, welcoming special guests to the private Vision for Philadelphia reception, and greeting groups on a regular basis in our host homes. The more she did, the more she liked. In fact, she believed so strongly in Philadelphia Hospitality’s work that she talked about us to all of her friends.

Holly is very persuasive. Over lunch, she spoke glowingly and her friend Jean Yost wanted to know more. One thing led to another and Philadelphia Hospitality created a summer program for the board of directors and spouses of AmerisourceBergen, of which Jean’s husband David is CEO.

P.S. Holly was such a stellar volunteer that we invited her to join our professional team. While that ruins the symmetry of the story, it does improve the effectiveness of our organization. As Marketing Associate, she talks to prospective visitors about how Philadelphia Hospitality can make their trip memorable. And, as her words come from first-hand experience as a guest – who could resist the pitch.

Holly Hess with her marketing charts.	The AmerisourceBergen group gathers in the lobby of the Four Seasons before heading off for the Barnes Foundation and then lunch at the Merion Cricket Club.