The City of Pittsburgh and VisitPITTSBURGH today announced Pittsburgh’s designation as a World Festival & Event City by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), a premier association supporting and enabling festival and event professionals worldwide. The prestigious award recognises Pittsburgh’s global standing as a leading destination for events and festivals.

The City of Pittsburgh and President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH Jerad Bachar were presented with the award during the 67th Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat—held locally in Pittsburgh. The City of Pittsburgh was one of only four municipalities in the United States to receive the designation in 2024.

“The IFEA is pleased to recognize and highlight those cities and markets who have worked, through concerted efforts, to provide an environment conducive to successful festivals and events,” said IFEA President Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE, during the presentations. “Through this award, the IFEA hopes to create a continuing dialogue between events and cities around the world, at a time when each needs to be supporting the other more than ever. The quality of all the entries paints a bright picture for our industry and those cities recognised with this award are helping to build a strong foundation and example that we hope all cities, globally, will work to emulate.”

“This designation only further solidifies that the City of Pittsburgh is a hub for entertainment and creativity,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “As we work to reimagine Pittsburgh as a city for all, we welcome visitors, events, and festivals that will speak to and reflect the richness of diversity that exists here. I greatly appreciate the International Festivals & Events Association for presenting us with this prestigious award and look forward to cultivating relationships with festival and event professionals in the future.”

City entries were judged by an international panel of experts and evaluated on a rigorous set of criteria, including the city’s commitment to fostering and supporting festivals and events, the economic impact of these activities, and their role in enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Pittsburgh’s application demonstrated an impressive track record of successful and impactful events, from the renowned Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival and Pittsburgh Irish Festival to the popular Pittsburgh Marathon and Picklesburgh.

“Pittsburgh’s recognition as a World Festival & Event City is a fantastic achievement that underscores our city’s welcoming spirit, cultural richness, and world-class hospitality,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “It’s no secret that Pittsburgh is an events-driven destination year-round, so this designation solidifies our world-class line-up of events and celebrates the strong collaboration and event organisation across our community.”

In November 2023, VisitPITTSBURGH unveiled the city’s first 10-Year Tourism Development Plan, designed to enhance and advance tourism across Allegheny County. The creation and promotion of Pittsburgh events and festivals are found throughout the plan, which ultimately strives to develop and manage a long-term, countywide festival and events strategy.

Under this particular action item, VisitPITTSBURGH hopes to improve Pittsburgh’s hosting capabilities and sites for large, outdoor events; develop programming that aligns with destination branding; and encourage continued collaboration between VisitPITTSBURGH and the City’s Office of Film & Event Management.

“This accolade marks a significant milestone in our strategic efforts to boost tourism and cultural engagement, and we’re grateful for Mayor Gainey’s shared commitment to strengthening the global appeal of our events and festivals,” said Bachar.

Pittsburgh joins an elite group of cities from around the world recognised for the 2024 IFEA World Festival & Event City Award, including Phuket, Thailand; Gwangju Dong-gu, Republic of Korea; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.