Tag Archives: Conference

Coming this Fall, a Transit-Tastic Event!

Are you a big sustainability nerd? Or are you looking for ways to improve transportation in your area? Well, then you’re going want to check out the Rail~Volution conference coming to Pittsburgh this fall. What’s Rail~Volution, you might ask? It’s a non-profit organization that seeks to build more livable communities with transit. You know, like what’s happening in forward-thinking cities like Pittsburgh.

The annual three-day conference, previously held in places like Denver, Portland, Dallas, Boston, and San Fran, features 80 sessions related to transit and livability. The event is for “people involved in urban planning, people who are involved in policy-making, people who are involved in advocacy related to development issues in any way shape or form,” says Breen Masciotra, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Project Manager for the Port Authority of Allegheny County. She explains that the event will “offer education, networking, and community…. and connects you to like-minded people that you can reach out to all year; it’s like summer camp for adults.”

Rail~Volution will be held on October 21-24, with registration in June. But before then, the Rail~Volution National Steering Committee, made up of 40+ livability professionals from across the United States and Canada, is calling for conference speakers. The committee seeks presenters for the event’s workgroups on topics that include: Innovations in Mobility to Enhance Livability; Transforming Communities through Transit-Oriented; Making Transit Great Again; Shaping Transit for Community Needs; Diversity: Equitable Development, Community Engagement, Communication and Placemaking; and Rail~Volution PK Slam, powered by PechaKucha. “Everyone and anyone should submit something; we are hoping to have a strong participation from local speakers,” notes Masciotra. Proposals are being accepted now till March 22nd. To learn more, visit the Call for Speakers page on Rail~Volution’s website.

To find out more about the conference or Rail~Volution head over to RailVolution.org. Also, stay tuned to Rail~Volution’s Facebook page for details on upcoming Happy Hour events and volunteer opportunities.

TEDxPittsburgh is this Saturday– get 25% off tickets!

Get your tickets to TEDxPittburgh and the TEDxPittsburgh After Party. Use code “bridgespgh” for 25% off!

We all know about TED talks: the moving, inspirational, educational videos that pop up in our social media feeds and emails from friends and family. They make us think, they make us laugh, and sometimes they even make us cry. Best of all, they explore, celebrate, and share the things, both good and bad, that make us human.

So wouldn’t you love to see some TED talks, in person, that focus on the amazing people and ideas of our beloved Steel City? Well here’s your chance– TEDxPittsburgh is this Saturday!

The 2015 theme is Bridges: Ideas that Connect Us, and there’s a stellar lineup this year– from Dr. Jim Withers, who was recently featured as a CNN Hero for his work bringing medical care to Pittsburgh’s homeless population through Operation Safety Net, to Gab Bonesso, who is tackling bullying in schools through song and comedy with her partner Josh Verbanets.

We know it’s Memorial Day weekend and the weather is supposed to be gorgeous but this really is an event you can’t miss.

A few other speakers include: Diane Turnshek, a local astronomer who helped bring Earth Hour to Pittsburgh; Michelle King, a passionate teacher and self-proclaimed Learning Instigator; and Andrew Butcher, co-founder of GTechStrategies, which works to improve the health of our communities.

You can learn more about all the speakers here. With such a diverse and talented bunch, there’s bound to be a talk that speaks to you, either personally or about our beloved Pittsburgh.

If we still didn’t convince you to not spend the day outside, then come to the after party from 5-8pm! Check out the newest exhibits at SPACE Gallery, while enjoying a performance by Slowdanger and treats from the incredible E2, plus complimentary wine and beer.

Still can’t make it? Try to pop in on the livestream and follow along on Twitter with the hashtag #TEDxPGH. Also follow TEDxPittsburgh on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for live updates!

We hope to see you there!

Use code “bridgespgh” for 25% off tickets to:

TEDxPittburgh

TEDxPittsburgh After Party.

What: TEDxPittsburgh 2015 | Bridges: Ideas that Connect Us

Where: Byham Theater, 101 6th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

When: Saturday, May 23 from 12-5pm; afterparty to follow

Netroots Nation is Almost Here and Registration Savings

Just wanted to post a reminder about Netroots Nation coming to Pittsburgh this week. Click here to see our previous post on Netroots Nation. I have attended the past 2 Netroots conferences in Austin last year and in Chicago in 2007 and it is great to have the conference in Pittsburgh this year.

The folks at Netroots Nation have put together an awesome line up of panel discussions and key note speakers. Here is an overview of the shedule – plus there are some Pittsburgh panels too – check out Green Economoy in the Burgh on Thursday afternoon. And President Clinton will be speaking on Thursday (read more here in the Post Gazette).

Help Netroots Visitors find the best of Pittsburgh – Please take a look at PghRoots.com – this little website was put together to show case the best of what we have here in Pittsburgh for food, drinks, coffee and more. Stop by the site and share your Pittsburgh favorites. (You can also review your favorite spots on Yelp)

One of the dailyKos bloggers has put together an excellent 9 post series on Pittsburgh – check out the post on things near Pittsburgh – I didn’t even know about some of these places.

Outside of the Conference – there are a bunch of parties happening around town – check out the list of events here (many of these you do not need a conference badge to attend).

Discount Registration – use the code IheartPGH when you register for Netroots Nation and save $80 off the registration. Click here to register. Continue reading →