Registration Now Open for the 2024 International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA World) Student Summit
Summit presented as part of the IFEA Annual Convention and Expo to encourage careers in festivals, events and tourism
(PITTSBURGH, PA) – Calling all students: VisitPITTSBURGH is excited to announce that registration for the 2024 IFEA Student Summit is now open. This free, one-day event, held on Sept. 28 at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, is set to connect students with industry professionals for a dynamic day of learning and networking focused on career opportunities within festivals, events and tourism.
The IFEA Student Summit, a project of the International Festivals & Events Association Foundation, offers an unparalleled platform for students to engage with industry leaders, explore career paths and gain insights into the growing world of event management and hospitality. Students from colleges and universities across the region are invited to attend.
“The City of Pittsburgh is an inspiring example of a city who understands festivals and events and all the benefits that they bring with them…economic, jobs, city bonding, quality of life, and much more,” said Steve Schmader, CFEE, President & CEO of IFEA World. “For the same reasons that we selected Pittsburgh to host our annual convention of festival and event professionals from across the country and around the world, it is an ideal market for us to connect with and encourage the next generation of festival and event leadership, as part of our visit.”
The Summit alights with VisitPITTSBURGH’s continued commitment to foster workforce development within the region’s travel sector, which currently boasts more than 38,000 tourism-supported jobs. Workforce development is a core pillar of VisitPITTSBURGH’s 10-Year Tourism Development Plan (TDP) equipped with more than 40 strategies and 100 unique action items to propel the industry forward through new in-market experiences, enhanced connectivity and concentrated industry development.
“We’re thrilled to host the IFEA Student Summit and provide students with this invaluable opportunity to connect with seasoned professionals and explore exciting career prospects—right here in their own backyard,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “Our 10-Year Tourism Development Plan focuses on fostering talent and creating new, tourism-supported jobs, and our partnership with IFEA stands to help inform the next generation and shape the future of our industry.”
The Summit will feature a variety of sessions led by experts from across global events and tourism sectors, including keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. Attendees will have the chance to learn about emerging trends, practical skills and career strategies while networking with peers and mentors.
Local event organizers from Pittsburgh will also be onsite to offer insight into the city’s robust event landscape.
Students interested in participating are encouraged to register by Sept. 13, 2024. Registration and program information can be found on the official IFEA Student Summit website: www.ifeastudentsummit.com.
To learn more about VisitPITTSBURGH’s 10-Year Tourism Development plan and initiatives already underway, visit www.PittsburghTDP.com.