I Love My Job: Meryl Levitz

Meryl Levitz | Photo by C. Smyth for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®.

As president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, Meryl Levitz has worked to elevate Philadelphia as one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. Reflecting on more than three decades of being city’s most zealous cheerleader, Levitz reveals some personal tidbits, like a goal she hopes to accomplish in 2017, whom she looks up to, and a difficult time in her career.

I grew up in … Illinois.

When I was a child, I always thought I’d become … a teacher, and I did.

A corner of Philly that needs more love is … every corner of Market and every corner of Broad.

I’m worried about … the world. Why fret the small stuff?

Visit Philadelphia is now 20 years old. This means … the three-year experiment to put Philly on the map and increase jobs and business worked!

I usually wake up at … 5:30 a.m. and go to bed … after Colbert’s first bit.

My favorite place to have dinner in Philly is currently … at the bar of any of our great restaurants. I love bar food and the bars here are now great!

Everyone in Philly needs to visit … the Bell and the Hall. Corny but true.

The attractions in Philly I’ve visited the most are … the Waterfront, Reading Terminal Market and Franklin Square – all places for the people.

A business in Philly I’d like to learn more about is … the prison system. There has to be a better way.

Meryl Levitz’s desk. 1. “You Are Here” GPS pin gifted to Levitz in honor of VisitPhiladelphia’s latest logo.
2. American flag by Stango in honor of Levitz co-founding Welcome America! in 1993.
3. Broomstick gifted to Levitz, Ahmeenah Young and Kathleen Sullivan, a/k/a “The Witches of East Falls,” around the 1993 opening of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
4. Political cartoon by the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Signe Wilkinson for the 2005 Salvador Dalí show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
5. Photo of the children of Visit Philadelphia during the organization’s annual Halloween party.
6. The heads of Fred Shabel, Visit Philadelphia Chairman emeritus, and Ed Rendell, Levitz’s two biggest mentors. Photo | C. Smyth for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

In 10 years I see myself … someplace warm.

Outsiders don’t get that Philly … has a great sense of humor and style.

In 2017, I want to … learn to play the Cajun accordion. I bought one in New Orleans — now the hard part.

The last book I read was … Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. He was a very misunderstood conqueror.

I always carry … a pair of folding scissors … in my bag. You would be surprised.

I look up to … my staff … because … they are so smart, caring and enthusiastic. They make my day.

A difficult time in my career was when … my husband was diagnosed with stage four cancer. He died this summer. We had been married 47 years.

The best career-related decision I’ve made was when … I decided to take this job even though it was so risky and people said I was crazy.

My favorite way to relax is to … be outside with wine and trees and Spotify. Family and friends around a big table outside makes it even better!

I Love My Job is a weekly feature that highlights what Philadelphia business leaders love about the work they do.

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