PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) is thrilled to welcome Melissa Callum as executive director of PHL Life Sciences, the PHLCVB’s business division. Callum brings more than a decade of experience in strategic partnerships, business development and industry engagement in the life sciences sector. She succeeds longtime executive director Bonnie Grant, who retired after leading PHL Life Sciences for nearly two decades.
Life sciences meetings and conventions account for more than 45% of the business the PHLCVB books each year. In her new role, Callum will promote Philadelphia as a life sciences business destination and connect meeting organizers directly with the region’s medical and life sciences community.
Maria Grasso, PHLCVB chief sales officer, called Callum “the kind of strategic, forward-thinking, and collaborative leader needed for this role.” Grasso noted that Philadelphia is a global leader in cell and gene therapy and home to premier academic medical centers, research institutes and universities. She added that Callum’s experience building industry relationships will be pivotal in bringing more national and international life sciences meetings to the city.
Callum said she’s eager to build new relationships and help showcase what sets Philadelphia apart as a leading life sciences destination. She’s especially looking forward to working where life sciences, business development and hospitality meet, bringing people together and creating opportunities for the region.
About Melissa Callum
Callum joins the PHLCVB after more than a decade with Life Sciences Pennsylvania, where she most recently served as vice president of strategic initiatives. In several leadership roles there, she helped develop new programs, build industry partnerships, oversee major events and create opportunities for organizational growth. She worked closely with executive leaders, academic institutions, corporate partners and industry associations across the life sciences community.
She also brings a strong foundation in event management. She previously worked with Albrecht Events and held leadership roles with the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the International Live Events Association (ILEA), including serving as chapter president.
Callum holds a bachelor’s degree in communications studies and organizational studies from Bloomsburg University and completed Temple University’s Event Leadership Executive Certification Program.
About the PHLCVB
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) creates positive economic impact across the Philadelphia region by driving job growth and promoting the health and vibrancy of our hospitality industry through destination marketing, promotion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and attraction of overnight visitors. The PHLCVB engages our partners, the local Philadelphia community, and culturally and ethnically diverse regional, national, and international convention, sporting event, and tourism customers. The PHLCVB is also the city of Philadelphia’s official tourism promotion agency and is responsible for growing the number of international leisure visitors who come to the region each year. To learn more, visit www.discoverPHL.com.
Source: The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, https://facilitiesonline.com/fd/melissa-callum-joins-the-philadelphia-convention-and-visitors-bureau-as-executive-director-of-phl-life-sciences/ on October 29, 2026. Republished with credit to the original author. Read the original article.
