The Pennsylvania Society is an annual weekend retreat for Pennsylvania’s politicians and business leaders and will be held December 6-7, 2024 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.

Thomas B. Hagen, a longtime Erie business, civic and philanthropic leader, will receive the Society’s 2024 Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement at its Annual Dinner on December 7. He is chairman and former CEO of the Erie Insurance Group and also chairman of Custom Engineering Co. Hagen, a retired U.S. Navy captain is a past Chairman of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry and a former president of the Society.

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. Hagen’s charity will be announced at the Annual Dinner.

Here are the events happening this weekend at the 126th annual gathering. If we omitted any events, please send the details to steve@www.politicspa.com.

Thursday, December 5

Welcome Aboard Happy Hour
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Garces Trading Company, 2929 Arch Street, Philadelphia

Friday, December 6

PA Chamber Bipartisan House and Senate Leaders Breakfast
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
New York Hilton Midtown, Gramercy and Murray Hill Suites
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Women of Destiny: The Future of Women in Leadership
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown, Nassau Suite
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Black Leadership PA Reception
11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tatiana, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza

JPMorganChase Networking Lunch
12 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
JPMorganChase New York, 277 Park Avenue
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

PA GOP Commonwealth Club Luncheon
12:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Club, New York
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

PA Young Republicans Reception honoring YR Ambassador Ted Christian
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Harmonie Club, 4 East 60th Street
*Tickets Required.*

ColdSpark Reception
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Niall’s, 218 E. 52nd Street
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Bipartisan Cocktail Reception hosted by Independence Blue Cross, AmeriHealth Caritas, Capital Blue Cross, Essential Utilities, and DLA Piper
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Chester County Chamber Reception
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown, Nassau Suite
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

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

Buchanan’s Skyline Soiree
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Bar SixtyFive
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Ballard Spahr Reception
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Empire Steakhouse East
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Irish Consulate Reception
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
TBC
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Joanna McClinton Reception
4 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown, Mercury Ball Room, 1335 Avenue of the Americas
*Invitation Only. RSVP Required.*

The Energy Capital Reception
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown, Herb N’Kitchen
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

¡Juntos! Latin Reception
5:30 p.m.
New York Midtown Hilton
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

RCG Event Honoring the Work of Families Behind the Badge
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location TBA
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Consulate General of Canada and the PA Chamber of Black Owned Businesses Reception
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
466 Lexington Avenue, 20th Floor
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Northern Delegation to the Pennsylvania Society Reception
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Cozen O’Connor Reception
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Grill, 99 E. 52nd Street
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

PA Carpenters Union Reception
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
48 Lounge, 1221 Avenue of the Americas
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Pittsburgh Robotics Network Cocktail Party
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Hudson Malone, 218 E. 53rd Street, Siren Room, 2nd Floor
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

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

Scientific Games and Polsinelli Dinner honoring Dina and Senator-Elect David McCormick
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Hunt & Fish Club, 125 W. 44th Street
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Hispanic Media Reception
7:15 p.m. – 10 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown, New York Room
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Duane Morris Reception
10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Rainbow Room
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Saturday, December 7

PNC Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 9 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 Sixtieth Street
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

FS/Ceisler Media, Ryan Boyer, Scientific Games Reception
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
PJ Clarke’s Sidecar, 915 3rd Avenue
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Bravo Group Lunch
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Maggie’s Place, 21 East 47th Street
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Leaders in Industry Reception
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Quality Meats, 57 West 58th Street
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Annual Holiday Reception with Glenn “GT” Thompson
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
3 West Club, 3 West 51st Street
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

12th Annual League of 1789 Reception
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Kimberly Hotel
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania Reception
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
New York Midtown Hilton, Mercury Suite
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

The Pennsylvania Society Keystone Committee and New Member Reception
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
New York Midtown Hilton, Herb N’Kitchen
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Erie Reception
5 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
New York Midtown Hilton, Rendezvous Trianon Room
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

126th Annual Dinner of the Pennsylvania Society
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown, 1335 6th Ave
Welcome Reception – 6 p.m.
Dinner – 7 p.m.
Dessert Reception – 9 p.m.
Tickets Required; Dress Is Black Tie

Attorney Charles J. Volpe and Excalibur/H.A.I.R.E Insurance Company 32nd Annual Reception
9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
New York Midtown Hilton, Rendezvous and Petite Trianon Room
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*

Keystone Toast, A Salute to Pennsylvania’s Powerful Presence Reception
10 p.m.
Brooklyn Chop House Times Square, 253 W. 57th Street
*Invitation Only, RSVP Required.*