May 3, 2025

Hello!

May is full of opportunities to improve your marketing and business, support the community, and get involved with what's happening within the City.

Lots of close deadlines here - So get busy!

Cheers,

Allison Harnden and Bret Kunash,

Office of Nighttime Economy

CITY/STATE UPDATES

Severe Weather Update

In the aftermath of Tuesday's yesterday’s severe weather event please be advised of the following emergency contact numbers for essential services and assistance.

Various agencies and city leadership are working to collaboratively to ensure swift restoration of services and clean up efforts, but this will take time.

Rec Centers will have extended hours for residents to charge devices and access other resources.

CLICK HERE FOR UP TO DATE INFO

2026 Budget Engagements

Mental Health Awareness Month

City In The Streets - May 15th - Elliot

In 2023, Mayor Ed Gainey launched City in the Streets -- a new initiative to bring local government to the people.

Visit City In The Streets Engage page for more info on the next event!

YOU'RE ON THE CLOCK!

LAST CHANCE

2026 Draft Procurement Program

The application deadline for businesses wanting to be a part of the 2026 draft procurement process is May 7, 2025

Check out www.2026nflDraftSuppliers.com for all the info and to apply.

INSIDE TIP: NFL Draft has let us know that they are particularly short on proposals for: stage & lighting, security, tenting, talent trailers, portable toilets, carpet/flooring, fabrication, fencing, laundry services, waste removal and golf carts.

Prepping for Pride In Meaningful Ways

Pride Month Promotion and Marketing Ideas

"Why restaurants should celebrate Pride Month, and how to do so with care..."

Check out the article right here

GET NOTICED AND GET MORE BUSINESS

PRLA Spirit of Hospitality Awards Nominations Deadline Approaching!

Nominations are due MAY 5!

Celebrate Excellence in the Pittsburgh Restaurant Industry

Nominate outstanding individuals and businesses for the Pittsburgh Spirit of Hospitality Awards by May 5

Click here to find out more

Business Directories

South Side Chamber of Commerce

southsidechamber.org/directory

How to be added:

southsidechamber.org/web-directory

North Side Chamber of Commerce

Northsidechamberofcommerce.com

How to be added:

northsidechamberofcommerce.com

East Liberty Chamber:

Eastlibertychamber.org/A-To-Z-Business-Directory

How to be added:

Eastlibertychamber.org/Join

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership:

Downtownpittsburgh.com/things-to-do/

How to be added:

E-Mail: PDP@DowntownPittsburgh.com

Oakland Business Improvement District:

Oaklandpittsburgh.com/explore

How to be added:

E-Mail: info@oaklandbid.org

Lawrenceville Corp.:

Lvpgh.com/directory-lvbusiness/listings

How to be added:

Email: Ross@lawrencevillecorp.com

Strip District Neighbors:

Stripdistrictneighbors.org/public-directory/

How to be added:

E-Mail: info@sdnpgh.org

Not listed on your neighborhood's business directory?

Well, get on it!

THIS MONTH

AIP Heritage Month

Taste of Asia Food Fest

For the second year in a row, the Heinz History Center will offer up a taste of Asia.

May 15th

Learn more HERE

Celebrate with the Flying Strings Youth Ensemble

May 3 @ 1:00pm

no cost event

Doors open at 12:30 pm and the show begins at 1 pm. A reception with small bites will follow in the library.

This event is part of Carnegie Library's AANHPI Heritage Month 2025 programming, and takes place in the South Wing Reading Room on the second floor of CLP-Main

Learn more HERE

Small Business Week is May 4 - 10

Free Virtual Summit May 6 + 7

This free, 2 day, virtual summit promises to give you tools and information that will transform your business.

Click here to register at no cost

Check out what PA is doing for #SmallBusinessWeek

Check out the PA Small Biz Tool Kit

and all the other resources they are offering. Everything is right here.

Vendor Opportunities

Night Markets!

There's still time to register as a vendor for Garfield's Night Markets.

Here's the link

May 13th is WORLD COCKTAIL DAY

On May 13th, 1806 the word "cock-tail" was first published in an upstate New York newspaper.

Read more about the history and get some ideas on how to celebrate!

Difford's Guide, For Discerning Drinkers

Safety

Be The Beat

Learn To Save A Life

The American Heart Association is committed to creating the Next Generation of Heartsavers™ through our Be the Beat Hands-Only CPR programs.

Click here for more, including the Don't Drop the Beat playlist, which features songs between 100 - 120 beats per min. which is the same rate your perform chest compressions!

GRANTS

Change Makers

Have an idea that could uplift LGBTQ+ youth in your community?

Nonprofit partners are encouraged to partner with an LGBTQ+ youth leader to apply for a $10,000 Changemakers grant

Applications must be in by May 5th

Click here for all the info

ATTN: Makers, Producers, Musicians, Artists, and Owners

$5K grant for many types of businesses, including food/bev production, & music/performance artists and venues.

The deadline to apply is May 9.

For eligibility details and more click here

2025 Stop The Violence Program

Stop The Violence grant apps are open!

The City of Pittsburgh invites community organizations to join in our efforts of ensuring peace and safety in our neighborhoods through the 2025 STOP the Violence community grant program. These grants are intended to support organizations making meaningful contributions toward ending violence in our community.

Deadline of May 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.

For eligibility details and more click here

Downtown Placemaking Grants

Downtown should have something for everyone!

Local individuals, non-profit organizations and civic groups are encouraged to apply for $1,000 – $5,000 grants for creative projects and activities that help us create vibrant and welcoming experiences in places around the Golden Triangle.

For eligibility details and more click here

SOCIAL CONNECTION

The Burgh Book Baddies

"For devoted and the not-so-devoted readers..."

Hospitality businesses can act as social connectors. Read how this club taps various locations to act as a space for women to mingle and discuss their monthly reads.

Find out more about the Baddies here.

Tell us About your Service Industry Night!

Help us celebrate the front line workers that make our night's shine.

Build a real social network of peers to learn from and lean on!

Kulcher - Sundays 8 -12

Allegheny Wine Mixer - Sunday's, 20% off service industry

Urban Tap - Mondays, 9 - 12, $5 select cocktails, $5 wine, 1/2 off drafts & shareables

Arsenal Bowl - 9pm - 12am

Con Alma – Monday's, 9 – 11pm

Fig and Ash – March 30th, 412-321-2222 to snag your spot

Helltown Taproom in the Strip – Tuesday's, 6pm – 9pm

Howl At The Moon - Wednesday's, 25% off bar tab with proof of employment

Tell us about your Service Industry night and we'll be sure to include it in the next post. Bret@pittsburghpa.gov

KUDOS!

Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Awards $88,000 in State Grants

Congratulations to Pittsburgh Arts Council's Creative Business Owners Grantees in the Music & Entertainment category.

Kaila Carter of Kaila Carter LLC

Lauren DeMichiei of Electric Red Ltd.

Zuly Inirio of Zuly Inirio LLC

Rebecca Rothermel of Sterling and Strings: Through the Ages

Jessica Victoria

Read the full article here

Do you Have a Space to Rent?

Have Space to Host for Parties?

Several people have contacted us asking where they can hold their holiday parties and special events. Do you have a private dining room or event space? Let us know and we'll add you to our list.

Send details to Bret.Kunash@pittsburghpa.gov

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Newsletter Archive

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HELP US HELP YOU: Send your questions, challenges, or useful tidbits to Allison Or give us a call at 412-400-900.

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