News Releases

2007 News Releases

Article Date	Article Title
12/20/2007	VisitPittsburgh Books Another Large Convention PITTSBURGH Fresh off the heels of bagging the 2011 National Rifle Association’s annual convention, VisitPittsburgh successfully lands another prestigious convention for the following year.
12/19/2007	NRA Sets Site on Pittsburgh for Convention PITTSBURGH VisitPittsburgh put together the winning bid to again bag the National Rifle Association of America’s national convention for 2011. The event, which will take place April 28 May 1 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, is expected to attract upwards of 61,000 attendees, ranking it among the largest conventions held in Pittsburgh.
12/13/2007	Pittsburgh Tops in Rankings PITTSBURGH– The results are in and Pittsburgh is hot! Adding another feather to Pittsburgh’s proverbial high–ranking cap, Frommer’s designated Pittsburgh one of 2008’s 13 top travel domestic and international destinations. Here’s part of what they had to say: “Pittsburgh turns 250 next year, and visitors during the 2008 semiquincentennial will discover that Steel City USA has swapped out its rusting blast furnaces for a modern cityscape with a thriving local and international arts scene…”
12/03/2007	VisitPittsburgh Photo Contest Winners on Display PITTSBURGH– VisitPittsburgh will showcase the top twelve 2007 Web Photo Contest winners at James Gallery, Thursday through Saturday, December 6–8, 2007, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
11/29/2007	VisitPittsburgh Consultant and Former Executive Robert Imperata Elected to Chair of PASAE Board PITTSBURGH – Robert Imperata, VisitPittsburgh consultant and former executive vice president, has been elected Chairman of the PaSAE Board of Directors. Mr. Imperata is the first officer elected to the position from an organization west of Harrisburg.
11/28/2007	VisitPittsburgh Achieves Destination Marketing Accreditation Pittsburgh, PA – VisitPittsburgh announced that it has been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, D.C.–based Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). In earning the DMAP accreditation, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their community, buyers and potential visitors that their DMO has attained a significant measure of excellence.
11/13/2007	VisitPittsburgh Pitches Region to Prospective Clients During Light-Up Night Familiarization Tour PITTSBURGH – VisitPittsburgh will host 15 convention and meeting planners, November 16–18, who are considering Pittsburgh for future events during a Light–Up Night Familiarization (FAM) Tour.
09/24/2007	VisitPittsburgh Employees Earn Their CDME Certification PITTSBURGH Jason Fulvi, executive director of convention sales and Tinsy Lipchak, executive director of tourism and cultural heritage with VisitPittsburgh received their Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) certifications during the Destination Management Association International meeting this past July.
09/18/2007	VisitPittsburgh Names National Sales Director PITTSBURGH VisitPittsburgh has appointed Mr. Andrew Shaw to the position of National Sales Director.
07/16/2007	Destination Marketing Association International event lands in Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH The eyes of the tourism industry will be on Pittsburgh this week, as VisitPittsburgh has the honor of serving as the host for Destination Marketing Association International’s 93rd annual convention. The conference –– which takes place July 18–20 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center –– attracts over 1,000 attendees, including 700 destination marketing professionals from around the world.
07/16/2007	VisitPittsburgh Debuts New Mobile Media Tours of Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH VisitPittsburgh, which plays host to its travel and tourism colleagues during Destination Marketing Association International’s conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center July 18–20, will encourage attendees to “get out and explore the city” in a new and innovative way during their stay.
06/08/2007	Pittsburgh’s Glass Events Will Blow You Away! PITTSBURGH This year, Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass! Over 70 businesses, museums and venues throughout Pittsburgh and Its Countryside are participating in events centered on the art and history of glass.
06/08/2007	Pittsburgh’s Glass Events Will Blow You Away! PITTSBURGH This year, Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass! Over 70 businesses, museums and venues throughout Pittsburgh and Its Countryside are participating in events centered on the art and history of glass.
05/29/2007	VisitPittsburgh Receives Award for Excellent Customer Service PITTSBURGH –– VisitPittsburgh recently received the 2006 Pinnacle Award from Successful Meetings magazine for the high level of customer service provided to the meetings and convention industry. The award is the mark of excellence for outstanding meeting destination support organizations.
05/15/2007	National Tourism Week Celebrates Nation’s $703 Billion Travel Industry PITTSBURGH VisitPittsburgh joins hundreds of cities, states and travel–related businesses nationwide in recognition of the 24th annual National Tourism Week, May 12–20. Designated by Congress and established by presidential proclamation in 1983, the event highlights the impact of the nation’s $703 billion travel industry and the economic and social contributions it brings to the Pittsburgh region.
05/15/2007	Pittsburgh Named America’s Most Livable City (again!) PITTSBURGH Step aside San Francisco, Seattle and San Diego! According to the ‘2007 Places Rated Almanac,’ Pittsburgh ranks first as the best metropolitan area in the United States.
05/02/2007	Pittsburgh Pirates Getaway Packages Now Available PITTSBURGH With the Pittsburgh Pirates 2007 baseball season in full swing, you’ll want to take advantage of VisitPittsburgh’s perfect getaway package for Bucco fans everywhere!
05/01/2007	VisitPittsburgh Releases Fair & Festival Lineup PITTSBURGH Mark your calendars! The lineup of 2007 festivals and fairs in Pittsburgh and Its Countryside is hot hot hot! From classic car shows to foreign film festivals, there’s something for everyone.
04/24/2007	The 2007 Official Visitors Guide to Pittsburgh Now Available PITTSBURGH The “2007 Official Visitors Guide to Pittsburgh” is hot off the press and available to consumers! The 106–page, full–color guide book focuses on all of the fun things there are to see and do in the Pittsburgh region.
04/17/2007	Putting Pittsburgh on the Map: VisitPittsburgh Releases Official Map & Guide PITTSBURGH VisitPittsburgh helps visitors navigate through Pittsburgh with a new, more comprehensive map of the area. This advanced tool uses satellite technology to create detailed specifications highlighting key landmarks and points of interest to help visitors find their way.
04/05/2007	VisitPittsburgh Announces Several Promotions PITTSBURGH VisitPittsburgh recently announced several key promotions within the organization, associated with the upcoming retirement of Executive Vice President Bob Imperata, who has been with the organization for 39 years.
04/05/2007	Pittsburgh Takes Center Court: City to host East Coast Volleyball two weekends in April PITTSBURGH East Coast Volleyball takes center court in Pittsburgh, as the city prepares to welcome upwards of 5,000 female students athletes this spring for six days of sets, spikes, digs and scores!
04/05/2007	Pittsburgh Takes Center Court: City to host East Coast Volleyball two weekends in April PITTSBURGH East Coast Volleyball takes center court in Pittsburgh, as the city prepares to welcome upwards of 5,000 female students athletes this spring for six days of sets, spikes, digs and scores!
03/29/2007	VisitPittsburgh Reports Banner Year: Pace of bookings continues to gain momentum 2006 marked a banner year for the tourism and convention industry in the Pittsburgh region, according to VisitPittsburgh. The organization presented results of its tourism and convention marketing efforts to the board of directors, partners and community stakeholders at its Annual Meeting today at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center.
03/29/2007	VisitPittsburgh Announces Convention Bookings VisitPittsburgh announced two major conventions that will take place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh over the next several years.
03/29/2007	VisitPittsburgh Announces 2006 Travel and Tourism Partner Awards PITTSBURGH VisitPittsburgh announced the recipients of its 2006 Travel & Tourism Partner Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the region’s convention, travel and tourism industry, were presented at VisitPittsburgh’s Annual Meeting, which took place at the Senator John Heinz Regional History Center on Thursday, March 29.
03/29/2007	Center Renamed in Honor of Retiring VisitPittsburgh Exec PITTSBURGH The Pennsylvania Welcome Center at the Zelienople service plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike has been renamed the “Robert P. Imperata Welcome Center.” The center’s new name is in honor of VisitPittsburgh’s Executive Vice President Bob Imperata, who will retire in September after a 39–year career at VisitPittsburgh.
02/23/2007	The Joffrey Ballet Takes Stage in Pittsburgh; VisitPittsburgh getaway will have you jumping for joy! PITTSBURGH The wait is over! The Joffrey Ballet is back in Pittsburgh! And, VisitPittsburgh has just the ticket for you!
02/21/2007	David L. Lawrence Convention Center Declared Safe PITTSBURGH VisitPittsburgh has learned that the David L. Lawrence Convention Center has been declared safe for occupancy.
02/19/2007	VisitPittsburgh’s National Sales Director Relocates to Washington, DC PITTSBURGH – Jerad Bachar, national sales director at VisitPittsburgh has relocated to Washington, D.C., to head up VisitPittsburgh’s convention sales office in the nation’s capital.
02/19/2007	VisitPittsburgh’s National Sales Director Relocates to Washington, DC PITTSBURGH – Jerad Bachar, national sales director at VisitPittsburgh has relocated to Washington, D.C., to head up VisitPittsburgh’s convention sales office in the nation’s capital.
01/24/2007	CBS News’ The Early Show Coming To Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH Set your alarms, Pittsburgh! CBS News’ The Early Show is coming to town on Friday, March 16. The live broadcast, featuring the morning program’s weather anchor Dave Price, will take place beginning 7 a.m. at UPMC SportsWorks® at Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore.
01/17/2007	VisitPittsburgh Executive Vice President Robert Imperata Elected as PaSAE Chair-elect PITTSBURGH – Robert Imperata, executive vice president of VisitPittsburgh, was elected to the position of Chair–elect of the PaSAE Board of Directors. Mr. Imperata is the first officer west of Harrisburg to be elected to this position.