The Global Philadelphia Association is gearing up for its 11th Annual World Heritage City celebration this fall. Set for Thursday (Sept. 10) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Crystal Tea Room, the annual evening will bring together leaders from Philadelphia and around the world to honor the people and organizations helping strengthen the city’s presence and influence on the global stage.

As a release notes, the 2026 iteration is especially meaningful, with this year also being the country’s 250th anniversary. As America’s first World Heritage City, Philadelphia holds a unique place in the nation’s history, and this year’s celebration will reflect on that legacy. More than a decade ago, Philadelphia earned the World Heritage recognition, cementing its place within an international network of cities celebrated for their “exceptional cultural and historical significance.”

Among this year’s honorees is longtime 6abc Action News Chief Meteorologist Cecily Tynan, who will receive the 2026 Distinguished Journalism Globy Award just days after concluding her more than three-decade career.

“As I reflect on more than 30 years at 6abc, I’m incredibly grateful to have served the Greater Philadelphia community and witnessed the resilience, generosity and spirit that make this city so extraordinary,” says Tynan. “Receiving this recognition from Global Philadelphia Association is a tremendous honor, and I’m proud to celebrate Philadelphia’s place as a World Heritage City during such a historic year for our nation.”

Leading this year’s celebration as Event Co-Chairs are Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter (the city’s 98th mayor) and Leslie Anne Miller, an attorney, philanthropist, and civic leader whose career includes serving as the first woman President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the first woman General Counsel of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The celebration also highlights the importance of cultivating the next generation of civic leadership through different speakers.

The evening will additionally feature a seated dinner, cultural performances and a fireside conversation between Cecily Tynan and former 6abc Action News anchor Nydia Han, her longtime colleague and friend of more than two decades.

“Each year, the World Heritage City Celebration honors the people and partnerships that strengthen Philadelphia’s connections to the world,” finishes Zabeth Teelucksingh, President of Global Philadelphia Association. “As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, this year’s celebration is an opportunity to reflect on our city’s remarkable history while looking ahead to its future as a center of culture, diplomacy and international collaboration.”

For more information and to purchase tickets (prices vary), visit globalphiladelphia.org/world-heritage-city-celebration

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Keywords

Philadelphia,

World Heritage City,

Global Philadelphia Association,

Cecily Tynan,

America 250,

Philadelphia events