PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh leaders held a news conference on Tuesday to release information from the recent G-20 brainstorming sessions aimed at welcoming the world to the city.

"The timeline that we have to prepare for is probably the shortest timeline we've ever had for any of these events that have come through this region," Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said.

The Sept. 24-25 event that brings President Barack Obama and other world leaders to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center will be a great opportunity for Pittsburgh, but it will also present great challenges.
Photo Slideshow: World Leaders, Protests At G-20 Summit

"And the number of media -- which we expect to exceed 2,000 and maybe even reach as many as 3,000 -- presents a huge logistical challenge," said Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Dennis Yablonsky.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Onorato announced the formation of a public-private partnership of organizations that have produced some 1,000 volunteers and 400 ideas for ways to welcome the world to the city.

Channel 4 Action News' Sheldon Ingram reported that some of the ideas include an enhanced welcome center at Pittsburgh International Airport. The city also plans to use "community ambassadors" on city streets, wearing pins that say "Ask Me," who visitors can ask for directions and other information.

The city also plans to create an online media center as well as a downtown media center for the summit. Doris Carson-Williams, of VisitPittsburgh, said it's important "to host the media and make Pittsburgh shine and get our 15 minutes of fame as we tell the story about our region."

Yablonsky said that the G-20 Partnership has secured an initial funding commitment of $500,000 from its own group of 20 Pittsburgh-based companies and foundations.

One of the biggest challenges will be dealing with the expected protesters, who will descend on Pittsburgh from across the globe as they've done for previous G-20 Summits.

The city will also have to deal with security for all the dignitaries who will be in town, as well as the overwhelming traffic and gridlock the summit will cause.

Members of the public can still submit their own ideas as to how the city can best manage the G-20 at www.pittsburghg20.org.

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What Is The G-20?

G-20 -- the Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- was established in 1999 "to bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy," according to its Web site, G20.org.

Countries from all over the world -- including the U.S., Canada, China, France, Germany, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Russia -- are involved in the G-20 summit.

The gathering typically attracts a variety of protestors from around the world. In April, London saw mostly peaceful protests about economic policy, the banking system and bankers' bonuses, climate change concerns and the war on terror.
Photo Slideshow: World Leaders, Protests At G-20 Summit

During the last G-20, a peaceful protest dubbed "Financial Fools' Day" was held April 1 by the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, a local anarchist group. Members and supporters gathered in Market Square before marching around downtown, stopping at several banks and government offices.

More Info: What IS G-20?

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