The Rendell years have been dreamlike for people in the hotel and restaurant industry.

In how many cities, realistically, can the president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau call the mayor at 5 p.m. to say he's taking an important client to dinner and reasonably expect the mayor to show up before dessert? Tom Muldoon, the president of the Philadelphia convention bureau, says he's got a "pretty good shot" - even on only two hours notice.

So it's no wonder that the question of life-after-Ed looms large for the more than 200 hotel executives, restaurant owners and tourism promoters who turned out last night at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza hotel to hear from the two candidates for mayor.

It didn't sit well that Democrat John Street canceled his appearance at the last minute, sending City Controller Jonathan Saidel in his stead.

"It sends a very strong message," said Krista Bard, who heads the Bard Associates marketing firm and is president of the Center City Proprietors Association.

But Street has a history of supporting hospitality, Saidel said, citing Street's support for the legislation that funded the convention center, and that banned panhandling from city sidewalks.

Republican Sam Katz seized the opportunity to butter up the crowd, many of whom were still holding grudges against Street for the 1994 liquor-by-the-drink tax, which passed after years of lobbying by Street and others.

Katz wouldn't promise to repeal the tax, which generates millions for the School District, but he would focus on how to collect it more equitably, he said.

He also came out in favor of an expanded Convention Center.

And he offered lukewarm support for new stadiums, noting that he wants to reopen the conversation about locating a stadium at 30th Street Station and wants to be sure the deal isn't rushed.

Katz didn't specifically promise to schmooze convention clients on a few hours notice, but he did pledge to continue Rendell's enthusiasm.

"It's essential that Philadelphia capitalize on this tremendous investment - approximately a billion dollars in the convention center and in new hotels," Katz said, "We need to make sure that every Philadelphian feels deputized in the role of ambassador for good will . . .so that when people leave the city, the words are their lips are 'I can't wait to come back.' It's a big job for all of us."

---

© 1999, Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. is expressly prohibited.