Tucked into the southwestern pocket of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh area, encompassing the city itself as well as Butler County, Monroeville and Washington County, puts great emphasis on preserving its historical attributes, from mansions to museums showcasing years past, while also marching into the future with eye-catching new developments, all of which makes the destination an attractive, easy option for Pennsylvania-bound groups.
Next year marks Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary, and to commemorate the momentous occasion the city is hosting special events all year long, including a Tour de France-like bike race, the opening of a bike trail connecting the city to Washington, D.C., and the completion of the restoration of the popular Point State Park.
Nearby Butler County offers groups several group-friendly communities with excellent dining choices as well as parks and museums for attendees to enjoy in their free time.
Farther south, Monroeville exudes a comfortable suburban vibe with its ample dining and shopping options, and activities such as golf at the nearby Oakmont Country Club, which hosted this year’s U.S. Open Championship.
Rounding out the area is Washington County, home to the popular Meadows Racetrack and Casino as well as outdoor pursuits and well-appointed meeting venues.
Pittsburgh
Last year, the Pittsburgh CVB changed its name to VisitPittsburgh, in effect urging meeting planners to visit the city and see why the region is a favorite among many groups and why it earned itself this year’s distinction of “America’s Most Livable City” by Places Rated Almanac.
Joe McGrath, president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh, says one of the reasons planners are attracted to the city is the compact nature of its convention package, which includes a state-of-the-art convention center, museums, shops, and restaurants, all within a walking distance of each other.
“The difference is that most major convention destinations can talk about ballparks, museums, attractions, restaurants, and a theater district but we have it all within less than a mile of the convention center,” he says, adding that the area is also safe for visitors. “A lot of groups we appeal to are concerned about safety, and here you can walk around at night.”
Groups venturing out on foot are happy to realize that more than 80 distinct neighborhoods are housed within the city’s limits, including North Side, sporting a plethora of cultural and sporting venues, such as the Andy Warhol Museum, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Heinz Field; Bloomfield, Pittsburgh’s version of Little Italy; and the Strip District, a popular place for dining and shopping.
The city’s meetings mainstay markets include SMERF, medical and association groups wanting to attach themselves to an affordable destination with a focus on being environmentally friendly, McGrath says.
Pittsburgh’s effort to become a “green” city is evident with the 1.5 million-square-foot David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
“Our convention center is truly unique. It’s the world’s largest green building,” McGrath says. “It breaks the mold. Our building has natural light throughout and natural air flow. It invigorates people and lets people see real colors when they are going through exhibitions.”
Connected to the convention center is the 616-room Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh, and according to McGrath there are plans for a 300-room expansion to the hotel.
“It has been approved, but it is probably three years away,” McGrath says, adding that the additional rooms would allow the city to capture more business. “It is very exciting. Adding another 300 rooms in a single property allows us to go after meetings that want to stay under one roof and don’t want to use the convention center.”
In addition to the Westin, The city is awaiting the arrival of the 185-room Fairmont Pittsburgh, scheduled to open in summer 2009 with 12,000 square feet of meeting space.
Meanwhile, popular meetings hotels in Pittsburgh include the Sheraton Station Square Hotel; the Hilton Pittsburgh, which plans to finish facility updates by the end of the year; and the Omni William Penn Hotel.
With its variety of neighborhoods, Pittsburgh is home to a wealth of unique off-site venues and restaurants, including eateries such as Le Mont in the Mt. Washington neighborhood and Lidia’s Pittsburgh in the Strip District.
Groups looking for a comfortably secluded experience can drive one hour south to Farmington and stay at the 2,800-acre Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, housing 30,000 square feet of meeting space, 335 guest rooms and two golf courses.
Butler County
Just north of Pittsburgh, groups will find themselves in Butler County, encompassing communities such as Butler and Cranberry Township, and according to Jack Cohen, executive director of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, the area is primed for meetings.
“Our biggest advantage is our location,” he says. “We are really 20 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh and also off three major highways—the Pennsylvania Turnpike, U.S. Route 19 and Interstate 79.”
In addition to its attractive location, Butler County is a budding destination that also has a variety of established meeting facilities.
For starters, according to Sandy Gadzia, director of sales for the bureau, Cranberry Township is a relatively new community that has experienced significant growth in recent years.
“Cranberry Township has grown and become a major player in this region, with meeting space, recreation and shopping,” she says, adding that a high-end shopping district named The Streets of Cranberry opened in March, serving as a fun post-meeting spot for attendees.
The town has a large corporate presence, due in part to its Cranberry Woods Corporate Office Park, home to the Cranberry Township’s largest group venue, the Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods. The facility houses 28 meeting rooms and has received a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Additional meeting space can be found at the Pittsburgh Marriott North; the Residence Inn Pittsburgh, which plans to start an upgrade this fall; the recently renovated Hyatt Place Cranberry; and the Hampton Inn Pittsburgh/Cranberry.
In the town of Butler, groups can host a reception or meeting in The Maridon Museum, focused on Japanese and Chinese art, or step outdoors and enjoy a group hike at the nearby Jennings Environmental Education Center.
In addition to its off-site diversions, Butler also offers substantial meeting space for midsize groups at the Days Inn Butler Conference Center, scheduled to finish a facelift by the end of the year; the Fairfield Inn and Suites Butler; and the Conley Resort.
Monroeville
About 40 miles south of Butler and 12 miles east of Pittsburgh, history-loving groups feel right at home in Monroeville, where they are transported back in time by touring historic structures such as the McGinley House, Old Stone Church and McCully Log House.
Back in the present, attendees visiting Monroeville have plenty of choices when it comes to group venues.
The Pittsburgh ExpoMart, the area’s largest convention facility, features 106,000 square feet of meeting space and is connected to the 332-room Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh, which offers 16,000 square feet of meeting space. Both facilities are scheduled to finish an upgrade next spring.
Monroeville, which traditionally entertains groups from the association, corporate and reunion segments, offers meeting space at the recently renovated Holiday Inn Pittsburgh-Monroeville, the new Courtyard Pittsburgh Monroeville and the Hampton Inn Pittsburgh/Monroeville.
During leisure time, attendees can flex their shopping muscles with a visit to the popular 180-store Monroeville Mall, the filming location for the 1978 cult horror classic Dawn of the Dead.
Washington County
Washington County, encompassing communities such as Washington–Monongahela, Cannonsburg, Bentleyville, Burgettstown, and Meadowlands, is the birthplace of Major League Baseball greats such as Ken Griffey Sr., Ken Griffey Jr. and Stan Musial, and it is also a home run with meeting planners looking for a variety of activity options and well-appointed hotels.
The newly renovated Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe in Cannonsburg is one such property, offering 20,000 square feet of meeting space, as are the recently renovated Holiday Inn Washington–Meadow Lands in Washington, the Best Western Garden Inn in Bentleyville, the Ramada Washington, and the Hampton Inn Washington.
After a day of meetings, delegates can enjoy a concert at the Post-Gazette Pavilion in Burgettstown, take a breath of fresh air while walking along trails in nearby Mingo Creek Park or wage their bets at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, a racino located in Meadowlands that plans to begin building its permanent facility this month.
For More Info
Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau 724.234.4619
www.visitbutlercounty.com
Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Monroeville 412.856.7422
www.visitmonroeville.com
VisitPittsburgh 412.281.7711
www.visitpittsburgh.com
Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency 724.228.5520
www.washwow.com
