1970s

In the 1970s an average 274 conventions were held in Pittsburgh each year, generating an average of $31.1 million per year in local spending.

PCVB decided to "go Hollywood" and released a colorful 16mm ten-minute film on Pittsburgh titled "You''ll Love Pittsburgh" in 1972. In the first six months, this film was seen by more than 85,000 people. That same year, the first PCVB newsletter was published in June/July.

1972 also saw the opening of the Visitors Information Center on the first floor of Gateway Center 3 in Downtown Pittsburgh. This VIC relocated to a unique set of triangular poly-pods in the center of the Liberty Avenue traffic island in 1973. This new center was open six days a week and managed by Doris Davis. As of 2007, Doris is still a member of the VisitPittsburgh staff, now serving as Administrative Clerk.

Visitor Information Center:

By 1974, the Bureau had seven full-time staff and 20 part-time registration personnel, a major increase from the 4 staff members of the mid-60s.

More than 50,000 requests for information were handled in 1974 at the Visitor Information Center. The most popular brochure was "You''ll Love Pittsburgh, Renaissance City of America".

The logo of the Bureau was changed in 1975. The new logo was the fountain in Point State Park. This new logo was first used in the June/July newsletter.

In April of 1976, the PCVB hosted a major national tourism convention, Discover America Travel Organization. This organization later became the Travel Industry Association of America or TIA. This year also saw Pittsburgh and Allegheny County ranked first in travel in the state.

John Besanceney, the Bureau''s executive vice president, proposed a one percent tax on hotel and motel room charges in October of 1977. This tax was expected to raise $475,000 to market the convention center, scheduled to open in the fall of 1979. That same year, PCVB was hired by the Public Auditorium Authority as a contractor to market the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

In 1979, the Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau 501 c3 Education Foundation was founded. This foundation still exists today.

Other Important Events in the 1970s

  • 1970: The Pittsburgh Pirates swept a double-header against the Chicago Cubs—the last game ever played at Forbes Field—on June 28. On July 16, a state-of-the-art combination football and baseball facility opened: Three Rivers Stadium.
  • 1971: On September 10, Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts opened with the Pittsburgh Symphony performing under the direction of William Steinberg.
  • 1972: Pittsburgh Pirates right-fielder, Roberto Clemente died when his plane, flying relief supplies to victims of a devastating Nicaraguan earthquake, crashed on New Years Eve.
  • 1974: President Richard M. Nixon resigned on August 8.
  • 1974: Pittsburgh hosted Major League Baseball''s All-Star Game at Three Rivers Stadium on July 23.
  • 1975: To cap off a successful 1974 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their first Super Bowl by beating the Minnesota Vikings 16-6. Pittsburgh hosted the victory parade at Market Square.
  • 1976: For the second year in a row, unprecedented in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat Dallas 21-17 to win the Super Bowl, capping off a stellar 1975 season.
  • 1976: The bicentennial year for the United States of America. As the nation celebrated, Pittsburgh hosted many visitors who were traveling throughout the state and collecting bicentennial coins from Visitor Centers statewide.
  • 1977: The Mattress Factory, a contemporary art museum on the North Side, opened.
  • 1978: The first test tube baby was born on July 25.
  • 1979: In January, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their third Super Bowl by defeating the Dallas Cowboys, 35-31. That October, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball's World Series. From that time on, Pittsburgh became known as the "City of Champions."