Flower Show Generates $61 M For Philadelphia Region, Says Organizer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - As we continue to battle through winter, here's something to warm you up: the Philadelphia Flower Show is coming to town in just a few weeks.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society president Drew Becker say the show will have a decidedly French look this year.

"This year's presentation, 'Springtime in Paris,' will provide the ultimate Parisian experience -- food, wine, art -- and will focus on excellence in design and new innovations in the plant and floral industry," he told reporters on Friday.

The Flower Show dates back to 1829 and has developed into a cash cow for the PHS, the city, and the area economy.

One of the first things Becker did after taking over last year was to commission a study on the economic impact of the Flower Show. He says the results were startling.

"A 61-million-dollar economic impact, the equivalent of 637 fulltime jobs, $8 million in tax revenue for the city, state, and federal governments. It creates about 25,000 hotel room-nights over the region," he says.

The Philadelphia Flower Show runs from March 6th through 13th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Reported by Paul Kurtz, KYW Newsradio 1060.