Pennsylvania Convention Center: Philadelphia rigging, floor loads and power

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Pennsylvania Convention Center is at 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Plan of Operations linked in October 2026 distinguishes halls A–G, Grand Hall, Ballroom and Terrace Ballroom.

Identify the room before calculating supports or points. The halls’ 350 lb/ft² rating does not apply to Grand Hall or ballrooms.

Which drawing is needed for flown LED or truss?

Submit the design on PCC CAD, including points, LED, motor, truss and cable weights and point reactions. Pages 16 and 83 request drawings four weeks before first move-in; room specifications state 30 days. Plan around the longer interval and confirm the event schedule. Do not start rigging before complete review and approval.

Most hall A–G points are listed at 250 lb per attachment: this is not a universal limit or permission to distribute an LED wall without calculations. CAD sets restrictions. Supported truss 12 ft or higher requires ceiling safe-ties or outriggers; safe-ties are allowed only in ballrooms and exhibit halls. A weight or point change requires design review before proceeding.

How do floor loads, freight and power differ?

Halls A–G: 350 lb/ft²; Grand Hall and Ballroom: 100 lb/ft²; Terrace Ballroom: 150 lb/ft². Maximum concentrated loads in Grand Hall and Ballroom are respectively 4,800 and 3,000 lb, with no other live loads in the area. Do not convert these into wheel ratings: submit footprints and reactions for acceptance. Grand Hall, ballrooms and several meeting rooms require a freight-elevator route depending on the assigned dock.

The Authority supplies electricity exclusively. Hall A–G specifications list 120/208 V, 100 A, three-phase floor boxes and 480 V, 200 A, three-phase overhead service. Confirm ordered service, connector, distribution and hours before connection; these ratings do not give each booth all that power. PCCA makes the primary connection. Elliott Lewis is the authorized show-labor supplier; check each task’s scope.

What about haze, lasers and pyrotechnics?

PCC requires prior written authorization for smoke-emitting equipment and lasers; pyrotechnic displays are prohibited. Identify equipment, fluid, area, orientation and rehearsal/show hours, then resolve applicable Philadelphia Fire Department conditions with the venue. Rigging acceptance does not authorize effects. Without acceptance, retain the sequence without emission and the approved egress plan.

Does the seating chart apply with a stage and screen?

Not directly. Page 16 states that staging, dance floors and AV equipment reduce capacity. Submit the actual layout and confirm capacity before ticketing or finalizing furniture.

Can any room receive freight through its nearest door?

No. The venue assigns docks; Grand Hall and ballrooms have no dedicated docks. Confirm freight-elevator dimensions, rating and the entire route. Public elevators are passenger-only.

Confirm the revision and appendices for the contracted space. Published data do not establish installation acceptance or replace permits or inspections.

PCC — Plan of Operations — https://www.paconvention.com/assets/doc/Plan-of-Ops-October-2026-v.2-b87a011ebf.pdf

PCC — Meeting Planner Tools — https://www.paconvention.com/meeting-professionals/meeting-planner-tools/plan-of-operations

Use the worksheet to record the approved scope and unresolved items before installation. It includes the full guide.

Event, room and first move-in date:

Approved plan: revision and date:

Equipment, total weights and loads per point or support:

Requested voltage, phases, current and connection:

Rigging and electrical service responsibility:

Planned effects and outstanding approvals:

Authorized door, route, dock and time slot:

Insurance, permits, inspections and pending changes:

Effect: equipment, fluid/material, location, authorized rehearsal and emission:

Plans and permits: authority, revision, dates and outstanding documents: