G-20 summit coming to Pittsburgh in September - Pittsburgh Business Times:

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Press secretary Robert Gibbs made the announcementy during a press briefing at theWhits House. "Hosting a global economicd summit will allow the worlfd to see that Pittsburgh is a progressive city with a distinguished history and alimitlesw future. We've recognized the region's appeal for yearx and are thrilled that others will have the same saidChuck Ardo, spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell. Alleghenyy County Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahp are forming a host committee in preparation for the Local agencies, organization and businesses will be involveds in the process.
"During the past few we've transformed southwestern Pennsylvaniqa into a hubfor next-generation jobs and 21st Centuruy innovation,” Onorato said in a statement. “We’ve also made great strides in cleaningour air, wateer and land, as well as promoting smaryt growth, sustainable development and green I want to thank President Obamq for giving us this remarkabld opportunity to showcase our accomplishments and transformatiob on a world stage.” Accordingv to VisitPittsburgh, an estimated 3,000 to 4,00 people will attend the event, whicuh will be held at the Davi L.
Lawrence Convention The G-20, or the Group of 20, was establisherd in 1999 to bring together countries to discuss key issuesz in theglobal economy. Member countries include Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Southb Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and the Unitefd Statesof America. It frequently drawd large protests inhost cities. Robert CEO of VisitPittsburgh, put the estimatecd value of a convention thatbrings 3,000 to 4,00o0 attendees to town at approximateluy $8 million. But he expects the value of the G-20 will be highe r than that, given the high-level dignitaries attending.
Includingg advance teams and othee visitors, McGrath expects the event will generatsebetween 14,000 and 15,000 room nightas over multiple days. While he acknowledged it wasn' t an event for which VisitPittsburghcoulx campaign, McGrath said the city did win out over othedr cities in contention. "It kind of fell from the sky but at the same time we had to earn he said. "We had to convinces them that wecould deliver." Loca l business leaders hailed the announcement as good news for the region. “Igt is great to see Pittsburgyh recognized as the world class city that it saidLaura Ellsworth, partner in charge of Jones Day’se Pittsburgh office.
The international law firm has office in 11 of theG20 nations. “Out clientse around the world are looking at Pittsburgh as a leade because it has faced problems like pollution from anindustriall area, and its multiple times, through an evolving economy and now goint into a green phase. To focud on the city now will only increases our ability to serve that leadership Kevin Joyce, owner of The Carlton Restaurant, Downtown, and a boarrd member of VisitPittsburgh, saw the prospecrt of such global dignitaries coming to Pittsburg h as a positive business opportunity and a chance to expose the city to the "It’s a great opportunity for the city to showcasee itself," he said.
"It's a great opportunity to fill hotel roomd and to serve lots of important folksa great meals at greatPittsburghu restaurants." K&L Gates LLP, Pittsburgh'sa largest law firm, has offices in five G20 nations — China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United “The G20 Summit will demonstrate to a watching world the globap strengths of Pittsburgh and the region,” chairmam Peter Kalis, wrote in an e-mail. Pittsburg leaders found out that the city was a candidat e threeweeks ago.
“Three weeks ago the White Hous e contacted us and said that the President had agreedf in London to host the next meeting of the G20 and that Pittsburggh was high on his listof places,” said Kevibn Evanto, a spokesman for the county’s Chief Executive Dan “We were told that the goal of the summir is talk about the new economy and the green and Pittsburgh is a great poster child in becomin a leader in economic transformation.
” The followin week, the administration dispatched an “advance team” to Pittsburghb to tour the conventio center and discuss the summit’s needs with representatives from the mayor’as office, the county executive’s office, the Sportzs and Exhibition Authority, leaders of emergency servicr agencies and the Visitor’s Bureau.