PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Tourism and hospitality management students at Temple University got the inside scoop today on a quiet struggle for visitors in the City of Brotherly Love.

(Ferguson chats with a student after his presentation.)

Jack Ferguson, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, says he and his counterpart from Washington, DC have similar tasks: marketing their cities to people familiar with the local historic and government landmarks but little else.

Ferguson says that while hosting a tour bus operators’ association meeting, he found they knew the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House — but not about the vibrant city that contained them.

“When they came into Philadelphia, they were blown away about the dynamics of how our city has changed, that it’s a major metropolitan area, walkable, easy to get around, and that there are pockets of wonderful things to keep people overnight here,” he recalls.  “That’s a critical component.”

Ferguson says the convention center expansion puts Philly in the running for all but the largest six or seven percent of conventions and meetings.

Reported by John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio 1060.