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 The people who market Pittsburgh say a positive vibe about the city and region is translating into more tourists and visitors to large events and conventions.
Joe DeStio

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – The people who market Pittsburgh say a positive vibe about the city and region is translating into more tourists and visitors to large events and conventions.

Visit Pittsburgh officials touted that message at the group's annual meeting at Rivers Casino.


Their statistics show nearly 414,000 people attended large events in 2018. They filled 330,000 hotel rooms and spent $236 million . Visit Pittsburgh CEO Craig Davis says sports is now a large segment of that market.

"Sports was always a part of what we did. But it's never been a focus like it is today," said Davis. "Fully 30 percent of our production is now coming out of sports which was not the case in the past."

In 2017 the region won the rights to host 22 NCAA Championships. The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships brought more than 100,000 people to Pittsburgh and PPG Paints Arena in March.

Davis says more direct air flights are also a big help. "When you have to get here through a couple of different flights, people are still arriving here. But that ease of getting here in one-stop is a game changer for us."

Davis is looking forward to April 2 when British Airways starts direct service between Pittsburgh International and London's Heathrow Airport.

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