<![CDATA[PIERCE EVENTS - Eventspark Blog]]>Wed, 14 May 2025 23:32:49 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Pittsburgh Event outlook]]>Wed, 14 May 2025 00:10:00 GMThttp://pierceevents.net/eventspark-blog/pittsburgh-event-outlookPicture
Our home base city of Pittsburgh is in the spotlight as big city events are on the decline and second tier cities become the hotspots for events

The outlook for event productions in Pittsburgh is positive, with the city's event and film industries experiencing growth. The city is working to streamline the permitting process for events, and there's a general upward trend in the events industry nationally. 

Elaboration:
  • City Support:
    Pittsburgh's Office of Film & Event Management is actively working to support the growth of the event industry by streamlining permitting processes, ensuring events don't negatively impact city operations, and promoting them as positive assets. 
  • National Growth:
    Event planners are in demand for both personal and business events, and the industry is projected to continue growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a projected increase in employment for event coordinators and planners. 
  • Growing Industry:
    The global events industry is also experiencing substantial growth, with projections for a significant increase in market size over the next decade,

  • Pittsburgh offers a variety of venues and activities for corporate events, from museums and river cruises to sports clubs and entertainment venues. Many businesses also organize team building activities like axe throwing, escape rooms, or even a cardboard boat building challenge. 

    Here's a more detailed look at some options:

    Venue Options:
  • Carnegie Museums: Offer unique settings for events, including the Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History. 
  • Gateway Clipper Fleet: Provides a unique experience on the rivers, with various cruises and event options. 
  • Rivers Club: A private business and sports club with multiple meeting rooms, dining options, and athletic facilities. 
  • David L. Lawrence Convention Center: A large-scale venue suitable for conferences and exhibitions. 
  • Hotels: Several hotels offer event spaces, including the Marriott City Center and Marriott North. 
  • PNC Park: For sports-themed events or as a venue for corporate outings. 
  • Ace Axe Throwing: A popular option for unique team building. 
  • The Church Brew Works: Offers a unique brewery setting for events. 
  • Nova Place: A modern event space with versatile layouts. 
  • The Frick Pittsburgh Museums & Gardens: Provides a beautiful and historic setting for events. 
  • Bar Marco: A minimalist wine bar with a private event space.

          Team Building Activities:
  • Escape Room Sports: Offers a range of escape room experiences. 
  • Cardboard Boat Challenge: A hands-on team building activity involving building and racing cardboard boats. 
  • Axe Throwing: A fun and engaging activity that promotes teamwork and competition. 
  • Scavenger Hunts: Explore the city while completing a scavenger hunt. 
  • Culinary Workshops: From cocktail classes to cooking demonstrations. 
  • Volunteer Opportunities: Connect with local organizations and give back to the community. 
  • Consider working with Pierce Events to manage your event needs. 

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<![CDATA[Gametime for Pittsburgh: 2026 NFL Draft]]>Fri, 11 Apr 2025 16:41:35 GMThttp://pierceevents.net/eventspark-blog/gametime-for-pittsburgh-2026-nfl-draftPicture
2026 is going to be an exciting time for events in Pittsburgh, PA. The NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23 to April 25, 2026. It will utilize both Acrisure Stadium in the North Shore and Point State Park. Events will also be held at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District.

The NFL draft is expected to be the largest visitor event in the city’s history, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend.

When Pittsburgh’s bid was submitted, it was projected anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 people might attend. The 2024 draft in downtown Detroit set a new attendance record with more than 775,000 fans for the three-day event, which was expected to generate more than $160 million in economic impact at hotels, bars, restaurants and retail stores. Estimates now for Pittsburgh are between 550 – 700,000 people attending.

More than a year before the NFL draft arrives in Pittsburgh, the local tourism sector is in full preparation mode — driven by the hope that the event could positively impact the city for years to come. The draft is helping to nudge local projects. The city is embarking on a 10-year, $600 million plan to revamp Downtown, and several projects aim to be completed before the draft, including the $31 million Arts Landing project in Downtown that intends to transform the Eighth Street corridor along the Allegheny River.

The NFL’s director of Event Location Strategy and Planning, Ashley Hamilton, says the league must figure out how to seamlessly connect events on the North Shore and in Point State Park. It’s the first time that a draft perimeter has spanned a river.

Details have yet to be finalized on how the NFL will split its events between the two locations that make up its official draft footprint or how the league will ensure a smooth experience for fans traveling from place to place.

Local businesses will be able to apply to be vendors for the three-day event, which will include pop-ups beyond the North Shore and Point State Park. Details have not been released. The NFL is encouraging additional events before and during the draft — fan festivals, pop-up shops and other events run by local businesses adjacent to the main events run by the league. That presents a lot of opportunity for businesses.


It’s Gametime for Pittsburgh as the draft can help the city attract even more large-scale events. Hosting a successful major event will prove the city is capable of meeting the demands of other future significant attractions.

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