The Pennsylvania Society is an annual weekend retreat for Pennsylvania’s politicians and business leaders and will be held December 11-13, 2025 in New York City.

In 1899, James Barr Ferree, an historian and native Pennsylvanian living in New York City, invited 55 fellow Pennsylvanians also living in New York to join him for dinner at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel. While enjoying a meal together, they decided to form a group known initially as “The Pennsylvania Society of New York.” Their goal was to establish a society “uniting all Pennsylvanians at home and away from home in bonds of friendship and devotion to their native or adopted state” and would meet for dinner every year, same time, same place.

For more than 120 years The Pennsylvania Society has brought together Pennsylvanians from all walks of life to honor achievement, recognize greatness, and contribute to charitable causes benefitting the Commonwealth. With no affiliation to any particular political party, business or profession, The Pennsylvania Society maintains its centuries-long commitment to civility, where members celebrate service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with an abiding respect for one another.

The main event of the weekend is the “Pennsylvania Society Dinner,” which is sponsored by “The Pennsylvania Society,” a nonprofit corporation. In recent years the receptions hosted by lobbyists, political committees, and corporations have taken on increased importance.

It has drawn criticism in some circles because of its image as a stereotypical “smoke-filled room” where lobby groups gain access to government officials. Other observers criticize the retreat for being held in New York City instead of within Pennsylvania.

Ambassador David L. Cohen – business executive, attorney, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, and lifelong champion of charitable and civic engagement – will be this year’s recipient of the Pennsylvania Society’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement. Ambassador Cohen is being honored for his exceptional leadership, commitment to public service, and enduring contributions to Pennsylvania and beyond.

The Society’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement was founded in 1908 and is presented annually to a prominent person, or persons, in recognition of leadership, citizenship and contributions to the arts, science, education and industry. In addition to the honor itself, The Pennsylvania Society contributes to a Pennsylvania charity chosen by the recipient of the Gold Medal, subject only to the approval of the Society Council. Cohen’s charity will be announced at the Annual Dinner.

Here are the events happening this weekend at the 127th annual gathering. If we omitted any events, please send the details to [email protected] with “PA Society Event” in the subject line.

Thursday, December 11

Reception
hosted by Sen. Joe Pittman and Sen. Greg Rothman
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Club Macanudo, 26 East 63rd Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Reception for Dr. Ala Stanford
hosted by Jennifer Weis, John Monsky, Dr. Holly Hatcher-Frazier and Lauren Bush
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A Private Residence on the Upper East Side
For more information, 240-419-0691 or [email protected]
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

The Energy Capital Reception powered by Pennsylvania American Water
hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Lexington Hotel, 511 Lexington Avenue
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

TCI PAC Reception
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
The Perfect Pint East, 203 E. 45th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Friday, December 12

Women of Destiny: The Future of Women in Leadership
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown, Concourse A, 1335 Avenue of the Americas
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Commonwealth Club Luncheon
12 p.m.
Metropolitan Club New York, One East 60th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

J.P. Morgan Networking Lunch
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
J.P. Morgan New York, 383 Madison Avenue, 43rd Floor
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Harrisburg Trade Association Executives Holiday Celebration
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
STK Steakhouse, 1114 Avenue of the Americas
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Discussions
hosted by Aurora, Egis, Google, Emerald Strategies, Oak Policy Group, and SALVO Strategies
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Stout – Grand Central, 60 E. 41st Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Coldspark Reception
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Niall’s, 218 E. 52nd Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Bipartisan Cocktail Reception
hosted by Independence Blue Cross, Capital Blue Cross, AmeriHealth Caritas, Essential, and Brian Communications
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel, 145 E. 50th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Irish Consulate Reception
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location TBD
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Accenture, Ballard Spahr, and Constellation Reception
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Empire Steak House, 151 E. 50th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

K&L Gates Reception
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
K&L Gates, 599 Lexington Avenue, 32nd Floor
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Joanna McClinton Reception
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Il Gattapardo, 13-15 W. 54th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

RCG Reception
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Club Macanudo, 26 E. 63rd Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

¡Juntos! Latin Reception
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
InterContinental New York Barclay
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Northern Delegation Reception
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
New York Athletic Club, Hall of Fame Room, 180 Central Park South
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Pennsylvania Carpenters Union & Carpenter Contractor Trust Reception
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Flatiron Room, 9 E. 37th Street
All are welcome

McNees Cocktails and Dinner
7:15 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Oceana, 120 W. 49th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Duane Morris & Duane Morris Government Strategies Reception
10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Saturday, December 13

PNC Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

University of Pennsylvania Festive Breakfast Reception
8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
The Penn Club, 30 West 44th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Annual Seminar and Luncheon
9 a.m. with luncheon to follow
The Metropolitan Club, One East 60th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Reception
Hosted by Future Standard Investments, Ceisler Media, Cozen O’Connor, and Athena
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
PJ Clarke’s Sidecar, 205 E. 55th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Bravo Group Reception
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Maggie’s Place Restaurant & Irish Pub, 21 East 47th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Leaders in Industry Reception
hosted by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Quality Italian, 57 W. 57th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Saul Ewing Reception
12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
320 Park Events, 320 Park Avenue, 35th Floor
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Annual Holiday Reception with Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
The Campbell, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

The League of 1789 Reception
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Kimberly Hotel, Rooftop, 145 E. 50th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania Reception
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Empire Steak House at the Kimberly, 145 E. 50th Street
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

Erie Reception
5 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Metropolitan and Guggenheim Rooms at the Waldorf Astoria, 301 Park Avenue
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *

The 127th Annual Dinner of the Pennsylvania Society
6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Waldorf Astoria New York
* Tickets Required; Dress Is Black Tie *

Attorney Charles J. Volpe and Excalibur H.A.I.R.E Insurance Annual Reception
9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Waldorf Astoria New York
* Invitation Only, RSVP Required *