The Pennsylvania Society

The Pennsylvania Society is an annual weekend retreat for Pennsylvania's politicians and business leaders held in New York City. The retreat began during the late 19th century as a meeting of Pennsylvanians living in New York City, who gathered annually beginning in 1899 to discuss events in their home state.

As the first few meetings developed into an annual event, it morphed into weekend-long retreat where political networking and fundraising took place in New York City's finest clubs, restaurants, and hotels. The main event of the weekend is the "Pennsylvania Society Dinner," which is sponsored by "The Pennsylvania Society," a nonprofit corporation. The receptions are now hosted by lobbyists, political committees, and corporations and have taken on increased importance.

The event has been criticized because of its image as a stereotypical "smoke-filled room" where lobby groups gain access to government officials, a few of whom have been known to use taxpayer funds to pay their way to New York City. Other observers criticize the retreat for being held in New York City instead of in Pennsylvania. Provided by Wikipedia