The 2026 NFL Draft brought significant national visibility and economic activity to downtown Pittsburgh, positioning the city for continued growth. As with many large-scale events, the longer-term opportunity lies in sustaining that momentum.
Pittsburgh’s approach reflects a broader shift in economic development strategy, with a focus on creating a downtown environment that attracts people beyond traditional work hours and encourages deeper participation in the local ecosystem.
This focus was highlighted during a recent segment on WPXI’s Our Region’s Business, featuring Emily Stewart, Founder and CEO of CoExperiences; Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership; and Mary McKinney Flaherty, Deputy Director of Economic Development for the Office of Mayor Corey O’Connor.
“We talk about needing downtown being more of a magnet than a mandate. Folks are coming into the office, but what are they doing after work? How do they learn about a unique experience that’s going to support the small entrepreneur that opened up that same business eight weeks ago,” said Jeremy Waldrup.
Addressing this challenge requires more than a one-time increase in foot traffic. It requires creating consistent, accessible pathways for residents, employees, and visitors to discover and engage with local businesses, cultural institutions, and community programming.
Through collaboration with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Office of Mayor Corey O’Conner, CoExperiences is focused on strengthening those connections across the city. The initiative is designed to increase visibility for existing local offerings while making it easier for individuals to participate in curated experiences aligned with their interests.
“We are bringing attention to the great things that are already happening here. The wonderful small businesses, the great cultural institutions, the amazing events that are happening downtown and across the board,” said Mary McKinney Flaherty.
CoExperiences enables this by connecting employees and community members to curated local experiences, including cultural programming, classes, social gatherings, and neighborhood events. In parallel, the company partners directly with small businesses and local vendors to host these experiences, introducing new customers and supporting ongoing revenue generation.
This model contributes to a broader cycle of economic activity by increasing awareness of local offerings, driving incremental foot traffic, and reinforcing engagement within the downtown district.
The investments made in advance of the NFL Draft are continuing to support this momentum. “This really just kicks off a whole spring, summer, fall holiday season of big events happening in downtown Pittsburgh,” said Jeremy Waldrup. Public spaces such as Market Square, Arts Landing, the North Shore, and Point State Park are serving as anchors for ongoing programming, including festivals, live music, outdoor classes, and community events.
These activations extend the impact of the draft by encouraging repeat visitation and sustained participation in downtown experiences, while also providing consistent opportunities for small businesses to engage new audiences.
CoExperiences will continue its work with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Office of Mayor Corey O’Conner to expand access to these experiences and support broader economic development goals. “We are really looking forward to continuing the conversation with CoExperiences about the many ways in which we can help to better serve all of the people of Pittsburgh across the city,” said Mary McKinney Flaherty.
As cities across the United States evaluate how to maximize the long-term impact of major events, Pittsburgh’s efforts illustrate the importance of coordinated partnerships, ongoing programming, and intentional connection between people and place.