Sunday, January 2, 2011

G-20 summit coming to Pittsburgh in September - Phoenix Business Journal:

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Press secretary Robert Gibbs made the announcemen during a press briefing at theWhite House. "Hostin g a global economic summit will allowq the world to see that Pittsburgb isa great, progressive city with a distinguished history and a limitless future. We'vse recognized the region's appeal for years and are thrilled that others will have the same saidChuck Ardo, spokesmaj for Gov. Ed Rendell. Allegheny County Executive Dan Onoratoo and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl are forming a host committer in preparation forthe summit.
Local agencies, organizationh and businesses will be involved inthe "During the past few we've transformed southwestern Pennsylvania into a hub for next-generatiob jobs and 21st Century innovation,” Onorato said in a “We’ve also made great strides in cleaning our air, water and land, as well as promotin g smart growth, sustainable development and greeb jobs. I want to thank Presidenty Obama for giving us this remarkable opportunity to showcase our accomplishments and transformation on aworlc stage.” According to VisitPittsburgh, an estimated 3,0009 to 4,000 people will attend the event, which will be held at the Davidc L. Lawrence Convention Center.
The G-20, or the Groul of 20, was established in 1999 to bring together countries to discusas key issues in theglobak economy. Member countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Soutyh Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States of It frequently draws large protests inhost cities. Robertr McGrath, CEO of VisitPittsburgh, put the estimatef value of a conventiohn thatbrings 3,000 to 4,000 attendees to town at approximatelhy $8 million. But he expectas the value of the G-20 will be higherr than that, given the high-level dignitaries attending.
Includinh advance teams and other visitors, McGrath expectsx the event will generatebetweeh 14,000 and 15,000 room nights over multiplew days. While he acknowledged it wasn't an evengt for which VisitPittsburghcould campaign, McGrath said the city did win out over othe cities in contention. "It kind of fell from the sky but at the same time we had to earn he said. "We had to convince them that we could Local business leaders hailed the announcemeng as good news forthe region. “Itt is great to see Pittsburgh recognized as the world clasa city thatit is,” said Laura partner in charge of Jonese Day’s Pittsburgh office.
The international law firm has offices in 11 of theG20 “Out clients around the world are looking at Pittsburgu as a leader because it has facee problems like pollution from an industrial area, and its multiple times, through an evolving economy and now going into a green phase. To focus on the city now will only increaser our ability to serve thatleadership role.” Kevij Joyce, owner of The Carlton Restaurant, and a board member of VisitPittsburgh, saw the prospecy of such global dignitariew coming to Pittsburgh as a positivw business opportunity and a chance to expose the city to the "It’s a great opportunity for the city to showcas e itself," he said.
"It's a great opportunity to fill hotel rooms and to serve lots of important folks great meals at grearPittsburgh restaurants." K&L Gates LLP, Pittsburgh's largest law firm, has offices in five G20 nationsz — China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Uniteed States. “The G20 Summit will demonstrate to a watchingh world the global strengths of Pittsburgh and the chairmanPeter Kalis, wrote in an Pittsburgh leaders found out that the city was a candidat three weeks ago.
“Three weeksd ago the White House contacted us and said that the Presidengt had agreed in London to host the next meetingf of the G20 and that Pittsburgj was high on his list of saidKevin Evanto, a spokesman for the county’s Chief Executive Dan Onorato. “We were told that the goal of the summit is talk about the new economy and thegreenj economy, and Pittsburgh is a great poster child in becominv a leader in economic transformation.
” The following the administration dispatched an “advance team” to Pittsburghg to tour the conventionh center and discuss the summit’d needs with representatives from the mayor’x office, the county executive’s office, the Sportsx and Exhibition Authority, leaders of emergenc service agencies and the Visitor’s

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