PITTSBURGH -- City officials and law enforcement acknowledge security challenges come with hosting the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh, but they say it doesn't mean the city has to shut down or people should stay away.

"You're up for a little bit of traffic and chaos -- and an experience -- then we would absolutely encourage you to do so," Public Safety Director Mike Huss said Friday. "And it's our responsibility, of course, through the guidance and the efforts of Secret Service and Homeland Security, to provide a safe environment."

The next G-20 is scheduled for Sept. 24-25 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center downtown. It's a global gathering of world leaders that typically draws protesters looking for international attention.
Photo Slideshow: World Leaders, Protests At Last G-20 Summit

Politicians aren't known for their ability to keep a secret, but the White House's announcement Thursday that Pittsburgh would be the host city caught the media by surprise.

"They told us, 'If you let this leak out, it's not going to be coming to Pittsburgh.' So, of course, we had a vested interest in keeping our mouths shut," Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said Friday. "And the good news is, everybody did. And to finally have the announcement yesterday was the icing on the cake, and we can't wait until September.

WTAE Channel 4's Bob Mayo reported that Pittsburgh police will get plenty of support from outside agencies and be able to tap some existing Homeland Security funding.

Video: Watch Bob Mayo's Report On G-20 Security Planning

Huss said the help will come from "mainly our federal partners -- Secret Service, FBI. There will be state police, (Allegheny) county police, local police and Region 13 assets that will all come to bear on this event."

"Obviously, that will put a demand on our resources," said Officer Dan O'Hara, president of Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge 1. "But once again, it's something that we'll rise to the level and take care of the problem."

Details of the security arrangements will be worked out in the weeks and months ahead.

"We think, not only will we be prepared and keep everybody safe, but it's a small price to pay to receive the large national -- and not only national, but global -- recognition that Pittsburgh will see," Ravenstahl said.

"We all need to be a part of it and enjoy it, and I see no reason why the city has to stop just because we're having this event," Huss said.

Ravenstahl said he first learned of the G-20 plans "sometime during the primary election, so I had myself focused on other things, so it was a little bit easier for me to keep it bottled up."

Visit Pittsburgh CEO Joe McGrath locked down the availability of the convention center and thousands of hotel rooms by promising something big, without saying what it was.

"We had to get commitments -- at least tentative commitments -- talking to our partners, but not telling them what we're really talking about because we were under a gag order," McGrath said.

"Once somebody comes here and sees this city and experiences it, they have nothing but good things to say. Our challenge, oftentimes, is to get them to come here. Well, now they're coming here," Ravenstahl said.

The next job is to get the word out, and a host committee will be formed to start work next week, WTAE Channel 4's Bob Mayo reported.

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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: G-20 Web Site