Public Learns How GlobalPittsburgh Connects Region with Visiting Delegations at 2012 Annual Dinner

Members, supporters and friends of GlobalPittsburgh gathered on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 for the GlobalPittsburgh Annual Dinner to learn why the eyes of the world are focused on the Pittsburgh region as a global center for energy innovation, education, technology, environmental research and business.

Through an interactive program we called Your Passport to Pittsburgh - Making the Western Pennsylvania Connection, they experienced first-hand the many benefits GlobalPittsburgh provides to the regional community and economy, while having fun, networking with friends old and new, eating delicious food, enjoying a stunning view of the Pittsburgh skyline, getting their pictures taken in a free photo booth sponsored by Westinghouse Electric, and entering a drawing for an iPad Mini sponsored by UPMC.

They met and learned from the valuable resources in the Pittsburgh region, just as our delegations of global leaders do when they come here as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program and other similar programs that bring emerging leaders to the United States.

Upon arrival, they received a GlobalPittsburgh Passport similar to the itinerary we prepare for our visiting delegations. They strolled around the room and engaged with many of the same leaders from the region who have met with international visitors in the past year, including ExperiLearn, the National Energy Technology Center, the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University, Innovation Works and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

They ate some of the best food in town from gourmet serving stations, saw old friends and made new ones, conversed with some of the top experts in fields including energy, engineering, sustainability and higher education, and enjoyed a cultural performance by the guitar duo of Ferla-Marcinizyn.

Bill Flanagan of the Allegheny Conference was our local “tour guide” as emcee for the evening. At the end of the evening, we gave away an iPad Mini to one lucky guest.

Just like our visiting delegations, guests also had a chance to interact with some of the host families who regularly welcome visitors into their homes.

View more photos of the event at http://bit.ly/U6KvU8.