VisitPITTSBURGH and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance welcomed nearly 150 destination marketing and economic development teams from across the United States and Canada to Oakland as co-hosts of the 2022 City Nation Place (CNP) Americas. The two-day conference opened at the University of Pittsburgh’s University Club.
CNP Americas focuses on how destinations can best promote place attractiveness to improve the quality of life and to grow place economies. This week’s conference provides Pittsburgh with a platform to demonstrate how, through collaborative partnerships, destinations can work together to enhance their brand with businesses, talent and visitors while also strengthening their position within their own community. And it shines a bright light on the innovation, development and influence spinning out of Oakland, one of Pittsburgh’s thriving neighborhoods.
“We are incredibly fortunate and honored to welcome 2022 City Nation Place Americas to Oakland this week,” VisitPITTSBURGH President & CEO Jerad Bachar says. “Oakland is a well-positioned destination within a destination with a vibrant tourism and investment environment. It is the ideal location for the CNP Americas conference. We look forward to engaging with our tourism and investment promotion colleagues from across the country as we look for innovative ways to strengthen our region’s overall economic vitality.”
The conference opened with a tour of Oakland – billed as a “Pittsburgh Innovation District Tour” – that will show attendees first-hand how Oakland unites talent, technology and entrepreneurial spirit with support, culture and capital, providing a setting for innovators to thrive. Mayor Ed Gainey officially welcomed the delegates.
“City Nation Place Americas provides Pittsburgh with the excellent opportunity to show so many people who are passionate about placemaking that something remarkable is happening here – that Pittsburgh is where next is now,” Mark Anthony Thomas, President, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, says. “We’re thrilled to have the best branding and marketing minds convening in Pittsburgh and are looking forward to providing a very warm welcome.”
CNP Americas brings together leadership teams of municipality, city and state marketing boards – including DMOs, CVBs and EDOs across the USA and Canada – who are focused on increasing economic opportunities for their destinations through a forward-thinking, collaborative approach. Placemaking and destination storytelling are at the forefront of the conference and are used to attract talent, tourism and investment.
“We are delighted to bring the sixth City Nation Place Americas conference to Pittsburgh – a city that demonstrates what can be achieved when the Mayoral team, DMO, EDO, private sector and education sector collaborate effectively,” says Clare Dewhirst, director & founder of City Nation Place. “At the conference, we will be talking about how places across the USA and Canada can work together to build an inclusive quality of life for citizens and promote their destination with authenticity and creativity to attract visitors, talent and investment.
“Pittsburgh sets a great example with what’s been achieved already and what’s next in an ambitious plan, and we look forward to learning more with our delegates!”
