It’s that time of year, politicos: Pennsylvania Society! Here’s a rundown of the events at the weekend-long marathon of dinners and cocktails.
The annual celebration brings together political, civic and business leaders from across Pennsylvania and across the aisle.
The biggest stories to watch in midtown Manhattan this year are the budget stalemate, the Kathleen Kane saga and the maneuverings of the 2016 Senate and Attorney General candidates.
Here are the weekend’s events. See you in NYC!
Thursday, December 10th, 2015
Christine J. Toretti Holiday Cheer
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Club Macanudo
26 East 63rd Street
Invitation only
Friday, December 11th, 2015
Majority Leaders Breakfast
7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Louis XVI Suite
Women of Destiny Mentoring Breakfast
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, The Conrad Suite, 4th Floor
Invitation only
Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania Annual Commonwealth Club Luncheon:
Special Guest: Donald Trump
11:30 a.m. – VIP reception & photo opportunity
12:00 p.m. – General Reception
12:30 p.m. – Luncheon
The Plaza
58th Street and Fifth Avenue
$1,000 – Luncheon
$2,500 – VIP Reception & Luncheon
$10,000 – Table of Ten
Sure to be one of the most talked about events of the weekend. In fact, Trump’s speech is already causing controversy.
Broadband Reception
Hosted by the Broadband Cable Association of PA
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Tonic Bar, 727 7th Avenue, Times Square
By Invitation only
Society [on the Rocks] Cocktail Reception (Hosted by Leech Tishman & the Pittsburgh Technology Council)
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
620 Loft & Garden, Rockefeller Center, 620 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022
By Invitation only
Cost: Free (General Invited Attendee), $55 (Members of the Pennsylvania Executive Branch)
THE FORUM for a Better Pennsylvania
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, 4th Floor
Invitation only
Arent Fox, A Night on Broadway Reception
3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Arent Fox LLP
1675 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
The Genevieve Society Reception
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Metropolitan Suite, 18th Floor
By Invitation only
The Metropolitan Caucus
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Vanderbilt Room
Equality PA Reception
The Bayard Rustin Award & The Pioneering Advocacy Award
4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
135 W 87th St, New York, NY 10024
The honorees will be Jonathan Groff (Hamilton) and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Dreamgirls). Tickets are $250.
A Salute to Leadership
Hosted by the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry and West Chester University
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
The Benjamin Hotel
125 East 50th Street
The CCCBI Salute to Leadership Award will be presented to Sen. Pat Toomey. The West Chester University Ram Pride Award will be presented to Aqua America CEO Christopher Franklin (Class of ’87).
Philadelphia 3.0
5:00 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria
Rich Fitzgerald & Bill Peduto Reception
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
The Yale Club
Invitation only
Washington County Chamber with partners: DAWOOD; Steptoe & Johnson; Waynesburg University Share The Energy Event
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria
Featuring collection of food and beverage from Western Pennsylvania
Michael Clark & Surmont L.L.C.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cole Porter Suite
The Waldorf Towers 33-A
Invitation Only
Waste Management of Pennsylvania
Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, 301 Park Avenue, Suite, 4th floor
By Invitation only
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation: Children’s Champion Reception
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Starlight Roof, 18th Floor
Award Presentation at 6:15 – Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati &
Daniel J. Hilferty, President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross
Cozen O’Connor Holiday Reception at 21 CLUB
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
21 West 52nd Street
Cocktail Attire
Invitation Only
Blank Rome Reception
7:00 p.m.
New York Marriott East Side – Morgan Ballroom
525 Lexington Avenue at 49th Street
Business Attire
By Invitation only
Stevens & Lee Cocktails and Dinner
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Four Seasons Hotel, 57 East 57th Street
By Invitation only
Lt. Governor Mike Stack Dessert Reception
9:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Park Avenue Center Room
Duane Morris and Duane Morris Government Strategies Reception
10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
21 Club, 21 West 52nd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
By Invitation
PoliticsPA’s Governor Mifflin Society Reception
10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Louis XVI Suite
By Invitation Only
Hosted by yours truly, this invite-only event is the highlight of Friday night.
Saturday, December 12th, 2015
PNC Breakfast Reception
7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Skylight Roof
Invitation only
University of Pennsylvania Festive Breakfast
President Amy Gutmann and Chair of the Board of Trustees David L. Cohen
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
The Penn Club, 30 West 44th Street
By Invitation
PMA & Comcast – Annual Seminar & Luncheon
9:00 a.m. – Seminar begins, luncheon to follow
Frederick W. Anton, PMA; David L. Cohen, Comcast; Dr. G. Terry Madonna, Moderator
The Metropolitan Club
One East 60th Street
Invitation only
Leaders in Infrastructure Reception
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Maloney and Porcelli Restaurant
37 East 50th Street
New York, NY 10022
Fifth Annual Reception of The League of 1789
1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
The Skylark
200 W. 39th Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10018
By Invitation only
Bob Casey Holiday Reception
1:45 p.m. – VIP Reception
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. – Event
The Perfect Pint
203 East 45th Street
$150 – Friend, $500 – Patron, $2,500 – Sponsor
Fisher & Phillips LLP’s First Annual
Business Leadership in Diversity Award Reception
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Smith & Wollensky, 797 Third Avenue
Honoring Michael Pearson, CEO of Union Packaging
The Presidents of 49 Pennsylvania Private Colleges & Universities Private Reception
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Vanderbilt Room
By Invitation, Black tie optional
Buchanan Ingersoll Cocktail Reception
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, Starlight Room, 18th floor
By Invitation Only, Black tie optional
Thomas B. Hagen and Roger W. Richards Reception
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria Towers, Suite 37A
Invitation only
The Pennsylvania Society
117th Annual Dinner
6:00 p.m. – Reception, East Foyer
7:00 p.m. – Dinner, Grand Ballroom
Waldorf Astoria New York
Gold Medalist: Edward G. Rendell
By Invitation: Members $400pp; Non-members $450pp
The highlight of the weekend is the annual PA Society dinner, where this year’s honoree is Ed Rendell, the former Governor of Pennsylvania.
Eighth Annual Bolshevik Dinner
7:00 p.m.
Russian Vodka Room
By Invitation only
Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP/LPMG Companies/Iacobucci Communities
7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Black Tie Dinner
Charlie Palmer’s Steakhouse
Hosts: Gaetano Piccirilli, Esq., John J. Longacre, and Stephen Iacobucci
By Invitation only
Ballard Spahr and Comcast NBCUniversal Reception
In honor of Gov. Edward G. Rendell
9:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (immediately following the Pennsylvania Society Dinner)
Waldorf Astoria, Basildon and Jade Rooms
The Energy Association of Pennsylvania’s Premier Party
Begins at 9:30 p.m. (immediately following the Pennsylvania Society Dinner)
Waldorf Astoria, Marco Polo Room
Bring Invitation for Admittance
Saul Ewing Reception
9:45 – 11:45 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria, John Astor Salon, Third Floor
Invitation only
25th Annual Reception/Black Tie
10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Attorney Charles J. Volpe and Excalibur/H.A.R.I.E.
Waldorf Astoria, Louis XVI Suite
Sunday, December 13th, 2015
Temple University Brunch
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Waldorf Astoria Starlight Room, 18th Floor
By Invitation
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37 Responses
Charlie, are you serious? You really think that a handful of negative calls is going stop any of these boars from lining up at the trough again next year? Maybe I can sell you the bridge they use to get to the party.
Stop whining and complaining on this site! Monday morning CALL your state rep and senator – do not e-mail, tweet, instagram, or write as those all can be answered with canned crap and ignored. CALL and keep it up until; you speak to a real political flunky! Then POLITELY but POINTEDLY state your feelings! The only way to possibly have an impact! When people in today’s world have the guts and patience to do that they get heard!
When is the reception dinner for the working poor?
Mary Wilson is reporting that Senate Republican Leader Jake Corman is hosting a reception this afternoon in old NYC.
WHEN is the union 98 party I don’t sea it
I wonder what will be discussed at the Minorities Leaders Breakfast on Friday morning …
Do taxpayers pay for their good times…screwed again by politicians…r or d their all frickin’ thieves…
TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP
Please …. Oh pretty please make TRUMP your nominee!!!
Catherine, I would suggest you go to ny to make your case to pass a budget
If you want to go to New York and flit from party to party in your nifty little dinner jacket, by all means do so. Just don’t try to feed us that BS line about it “helping PA build business.” This is all about the political “haves” treating themselves to the best that other people’s money can buy because they feel they’ve done something to deserve it. And meanwhile schools and communities go begging, taxes go up, and the poor and middle class suffer. Every single person who attends ought to be ashamed of themselves…but it seems that shame is beneath them.
Get over it. The weekend is all about building the next year and helping PA get business. You should be happy that people are attending, if not next year could not be good for PA.
Just because you cant go don’t cry about it… Maybe some of you should get a life… Then you wouldn’t have time to cry about others.
I wonder if any of the candidates for MontCo GOP Chairman will attend? Perhaps someone should ask John Rafferty and Todd Stephens who they’re supporting?
I demand that all political figures be strapped to their desks, day and night, during the holidays while we voice our dissatisfaction with their performance and the government. How dare these politicians act like humans and take time off from work?!? Outlandish that other human beings would even consider a break from work! Why hasn’t Governor Wolf fixed the pothole outside my house yet?? This is an outrage!
keep it up johnny boy…
I imagine McGinty be sitting near Ed Rendell and mingle with the fracking folks.
A disgusting and elitist tradition that admits PA politicians and judges are owned today, just like in the olden days of robber barons, who started this lovefest for the chance to bribe the govt crooks.
Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania Annual Commonwealth Club Luncheon:
Special Guest: Donald Trump
Will Muslims be allowed to attend?
How about serve drinks or work in the kitchen? (If so, Donald might want to hire a taste-tester.)
Outrageous, Disgusting,Ridiculous,Selfish,Boorish,Uncaring,and Appalling that Republican and Democratic Lawmakers could leave Pennsylvania to go to a four day weekend in New York City to be wined and dined by Special Interests without after 5 months of negotiations a State Budget. Does anyone see the comparison to Nero fiddling while Rome burned. There are real people suffering because of this budget impasse and yet the Political Elite of both Parties believe it is their God given right to attend this freebie Society Gathering. Every politician from the Governor, State Senators, State House Representatives,and Judges that attend this farce should be fired at the ballot box in the next election. Sorry to say all these lawmakers know that the average voter doesn’t know about this New York Getaway or will remember it when it comes time to vote for these sorry assed excuses of public serpents. We really do deserve because of voter apathy the State Government we have. Hard working average Pennsylvanians deserve the attention and respect of these Pennsylvania Lawmakers over these Elitist Society Special Interests Gathering in New York City.
How else will everyone have enough time to enjoy learning about our industry leading selection of on-demand programming and fantastic data speeds?
Millennial Voter-
The two Comcast events are 12 hours apart. The first one is to install “pods” on the politicians, the second is to test them for control or pick up any stragglers.
Clearly you are all just jelly that no one invited you…..I’ve had my dress picked out for months.
Catherine, I agree with everything you wrote except for your final sentence. The entire set-up of elected officials being wined and dined by companies they’re supposed to be regulating or hiring is offensive. It’s an insult to the residents of the state, which is probably why it takes place in New York.
I am the director of a PA nonprofit that has not received expected funds due to the state budget impasse. On behalf of the 40,000+ people who use our services annually, I am dismayed that this gathering is being held while social services essential to citizen well-being are reduced. Our elected officials need to pass a budget first – and THEN they can party.
Why are there not one but TWO receptions of PA leaders with Comcast? That strikes me as odd and most likely nefarious. Big business boozing up the people who are supposed to represent us. Where are the muckraker journalists who should be charged with keeping folks honest? Also, sidenote: Donald Trump — for real?
Sounds like the most elitist bullsh*t. Get back to crafting law and representing your constituencies
Media — please do your job instead of slurping up the free booze and hors d’oeuvres in New York City next weekend. How about putting together a complete list of every elected official that shows their face at any PA Society event? How about a tally of how much is spent on these lavish soirees? What’s it take to buy a state legislator these days? Would a little editorial outrage be too much to ask?
R Bud Dwyer shot himself in the Head on TV at a Press Conference thanks to what Felon Bob Asher the PA RNC Member got him into .Does anyone out there remember this event if Not you can Watch R Bud Dwyer blow his brains out on U Tube
Will Convicted Felon and Pennsylvania RNC Member Bob Asher of Asher’s Candies be at all of these parties . Judges , Justices and Candidates for both are not allowed to Associate with Convicted Felons yet there in New York they will all be Kissing the Ring of Convicted Felon Bob ( Candy Man ) Asher . All of you people going to all these parties should be ashamed of yourselves for rubbing elbos with Felon Asher and for letting Felon Asher have anything to do with Politics in Pennsylvania . JUST SAY NO to Felon Bob Asher .
“The entire weekend tradition is pathetic, wasteful, and sad. To transport the aristocracy of both parties OUT OF STATE so that they can be wined and dined at a series of swell parties thrown by lobbyists is beyond repugnant. It’s this kind of disgusting behavior that started the French Revolution. Anybody got a guillotine handy? No? How about a ballot box, then? Vote against anyone who attends this sick farce.”
Thank you MontCo PA Dem – Your’s is the Post of the Year as far as I am concerned.
The stuffing at the local 98 party is one of the greatest things i have ever tasted….RIP
The entire weekend tradition is pathetic, wasteful, and sad. To transport the aristocracy of both parties OUT OF STATE so that they can be wined and dined at a series of swell parties thrown by lobbyists is beyond repugnant. It’s this kind of disgusting behavior that started the French Revolution. Anybody got a guillotine handy? No? How about a ballot box, then? Vote against anyone who attends this sick farce.
This is ridiculous.
Out of State strip clubs!! Whooo hooooooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!
No 98 party Friday night? end of an era…
If the budget is not signed, sealed and delivered by Friday, any member of the Legislature or staffers or the Governor and any staffers, should be placed under arrest and escorted back to Harrisburg.
How can any of the PA legislators go when they haven’t finished their budget homework?
Wonder if Castille will be there to leak more Grand Jury material?!?