Meet Greater Reading

Organization Overview

Meet Greater Reading operates as a non-profit organization based in Reading, Pennsylvania, serving as the official destination marketing organization for Berks County and the surrounding Greater Reading area. The organization functions as a convention and visitors bureau, working to promote the region as a destination for tourism, meetings, conventions, and events. Located at 606 Court Street in downtown Reading, the organization occupies a position within the city's administrative and commercial center.

As a destination marketing organization, Meet Greater Reading serves as the primary resource for visitors seeking information about attractions, accommodations, dining, and activities throughout Berks County. The organization also works with meeting planners, event organizers, and businesses looking to host conferences, conventions, and group gatherings in the region. This dual focus on leisure tourism and business travel reflects the standard model for convention and visitors bureaus operating throughout the United States.

Services and Functions

The organization provides a range of services designed to support both individual visitors and groups planning events in the Greater Reading area. For leisure travelers, Meet Greater Reading offers destination information, trip planning assistance, and resources highlighting local attractions, outdoor recreation, cultural institutions, and dining options throughout Berks County.

For meeting and event planners, the organization provides complimentary planning assistance, including venue sourcing, accommodation coordination, and connections with local vendors and service providers. This convention services component represents a significant portion of the organization's work, as attracting meetings and events to the region generates economic activity for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.

The organization maintains relationships with hotels, conference centers, restaurants, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses throughout Berks County. These partnerships allow Meet Greater Reading to provide comprehensive information and facilitate connections between visitors and local service providers.

Additional services typically offered by destination marketing organizations of this type include:

• Visitor guides and promotional materials for the region
• Information about seasonal events and festivals
• Resources for group tour operators
• Sports event planning and tournament assistance
• Wedding and social event venue information
• Relocation information for individuals and businesses considering a move to the area
• Film and media production location services

Geographic Service Area

Meet Greater Reading's service area encompasses Berks County in southeastern Pennsylvania, with the city of Reading serving as the county seat and largest population center. Berks County covers approximately 866 square miles and includes a diverse landscape ranging from urban areas to agricultural land and portions of the Appalachian foothills.

The Greater Reading region sits within a broader corridor of southeastern Pennsylvania, positioned between Philadelphia to the southeast and the Lehigh Valley to the northeast. This location places the area within reasonable driving distance of major metropolitan areas along the East Coast, making it accessible for regional meetings and events.

The region includes numerous municipalities, boroughs, and townships beyond the city of Reading itself. Communities such as Wyomissing, West Reading, Kutztown, Boyertown, and Hamburg fall within the organization's promotional territory. Each of these areas contributes distinct characteristics to the overall destination profile, from college-town atmospheres to historic downtown districts.

Regional Tourism Assets

Berks County offers a variety of attractions and activities that form the basis of Meet Greater Reading's promotional efforts. The region has historical significance dating to colonial Pennsylvania, with sites and architecture reflecting German immigrant heritage that shaped the area's development.

Cultural institutions in the region include museums, performing arts venues, and galleries. The Reading Public Museum combines art, science, and natural history collections with a planetarium. The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts occupies a former goggle factory and serves as a community arts center with studios, galleries, and educational programming.

Outdoor recreation opportunities exist throughout Berks County, including portions of the Appalachian Trail, state game lands, county parks, and the Schuylkill River Trail. The region's agricultural heritage supports farm markets, orchards, and agritourism operations that attract visitors, particularly during fall harvest season.

The area's outlet shopping history, centered on the VF Outlet complex and other retail developments, has drawn shoppers to the region for decades. While the retail landscape has evolved over time, shopping remains part of the destination's identity.

Facility Information

The organization's office at 606 Court Street in downtown Reading provides wheelchair accessible entrance and parking facilities, ensuring the location can accommodate visitors with mobility needs. This accessibility allows the organization to serve all visitors seeking in-person assistance with trip planning or event coordination.

The downtown Reading location places the organization near government offices, businesses, and some of the city's cultural attractions. Court Street runs through the central business district, providing convenient access for those visiting the area or conducting business in the city center.

Role in Regional Economic Development

As a destination marketing organization, Meet Greater Reading functions as part of the broader economic development infrastructure for Berks County. Tourism and visitor spending contribute to the local economy through direct expenditures at hotels, restaurants, attractions, and retail establishments, as well as through tax revenues generated by these activities.

Convention and meeting business represents a particularly significant economic driver, as business travelers typically spend more per day than leisure visitors. Groups booking hotel room blocks, catering services, and meeting facilities generate concentrated economic activity that benefits multiple sectors of the local hospitality industry.

The organization's non-profit status reflects its role as a community asset rather than a commercial enterprise. Destination marketing organizations typically receive funding through a combination of sources, which may include hotel occupancy taxes, membership dues from tourism-related businesses, and grants. This funding model aligns the organization's interests with the broader goal of regional economic vitality.

Contact and Resources

Meet Greater Reading can be reached by telephone at 610-376-6766 during regular business hours. The organization maintains a website at meetgreaterreading.org, which serves as the primary digital resource for visitors seeking information about the Greater Reading area. The website typically includes event calendars, attraction listings, accommodation directories, and resources for meeting planners.

Visitors to the region can contact the organization for assistance with trip planning, requests for visitor guides and promotional materials, or information about specific attractions and services. Meeting planners can work with staff to explore venue options, coordinate logistics, and access the organization's planning resources at no charge.