PITTSBURGH -- Law enforcement agencies from London and New York will help Pittsburgh prepare to host the G-20 economic summit in September at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Public Safety Director Michael Huss -- speaking at Friday's quarterly meeting of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority downtown -- said the state-appointed financial oversight board will help pay for outside traffic, safety and security experts to assist with G-20 planning.

"It's a lot cheaper and cost-effective for us to bring six people here from London instead of sending 30 over to London," Huss told the ICA board at the Regional Enterprise Tower. "So this -- not only the funds, but the mechanism -- really makes our job easier."

Police from London -- the host city of the most recent G-20 in April -- will visit Pittsburgh to help with planning, and Pittsburgh police will travel to New York in advance of the event, Huss said.

On Friday afternoon, about 200 people -- everyone from clothing vendors to parking reps -- attended a public G-20 brainstorming session called "Welcome the World" at Point Park University.

"My suggestion is for each outdoor area that has live entertainment," one person said.

Another person suggested "buying advertising in different countries and letting them know about Pittsburgh ahead of time," while another said local students could serve as translators.

"You do, like, a night of magic -- the magic of Pittsburgh," one person said. "Use the art of magic and illusion. The key to remember is magic is a very universal language."

Future brainstorming sessions are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, noon-1:30 p.m., Robert Morris University, Sewall Center, International Suite
• Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m., University of Pittsburgh, Alumni Hall, Connolly Ballroom

The White House chose Pittsburgh as the site of the Sept. 24-25 summit that will include President Barack Obama and heads of state from 20 of the world's biggest economies, such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, China and India.
Photo Slideshow: World Leaders, Protests At G-20 Summit

On Tuesday, the official G-20 Web site -- www.pittsburghg20.org -- was launched to provide constant updates on the city's preparations.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato will co-chair a host committee and hold weekly strategy sessions until the G-20 begins. Those meetings will typically involve public safety and public works officials and agencies ranging from the county's airport authority and courts to promotional groups like VisitPittsburgh.

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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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