The Pittsburgh Passport is the region’s marquee retention program for college-aged talent, created and incubated by the Allegheny Conference started in 2019. In partnership with the Conference, PUMP has taken the lead on managing the program.
Through a combination of immersions in regional amenities and corporate and peer-focused networking – all designed for college students and recent grads – the nationally recognized Pittsburgh Passport has been focused on engaging and retaining more of this demographic group in the Pittsburgh region to support a globally competitive workforce.
For participants, it’s a series of compelling free, exclusive, and general community events that give them a chance to explore what Pittsburgh has to offer, make social connections, and learn about the area.
For employers and universities, it’s a way to augment the summer internship, fellowship, or early career period with extra civic, recreational, and social opportunities.
Stay Tuned Here For Pittsburgh Passport Events As They Are Announced
June 20th Kick off summer with the Pittsburgh Passport
Meet local leaders, summer interns, and college students from across the country and around the world with free refreshments. Enjoy early exclusive access to gorgeous Heinz Hall, learn about the world-class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, meet their team members, and then stay for an scintillating show honoring the true Kings of classic soul with greatest hits from legendary artists Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Al Green, Barry White, and Curtis Mayfield, including “Soul Man,” “Shop Around,” “Stand By Me” and more. Just the beginning of a fun-filled summer!
Registration: June 20th Pittsburgh Passport Summer Kickoff
Questions? Reach us at: passport@pump.org
June 26th Vibrant Inaugural Summer Series Early Summer Bash
Community Partner Passport Event
This cookout will be held at Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s office building on Washington’s Landing at 800 Waterfront Dr, 15222 from 5:30pm – 8pm., with plenty of space to park. Don’t forget to bring cash/card to get food and drinks from Foxy Frans Food Truck & Arsenal Cider and to browse Everlasting Sparkle’s jewelry designs ! We will also have music by DJ Luxurae, yard games, and feel free to walk the paths and trails around Washington’s Landing!
Learn more and register: Vibrant Inaugural Summer Series Early Summer Bash
June 29th OpenStreets hosted by BikePGH
General Community Event
OpenStreetsPGH is back in action for Summer 2025! Hosted by BikePGH, this free community event that opens miles of Pittsburgh streets for people to walk, run, bike, and explore spaces that are usually taken up by motor vehicles. Join anytime from 10 am – 2 pm on event days – the streets will be yours!
Saturday, June 29th from 10a – 2pm
Learn more: OpenStreetsPGH
July 10th – Inside Out hosted by CMOA and BOOM Concepts
Part of the Carnegie Museum of Art’s Inside Out series from 5:00pm – 9:00pm. Meet us inside and outside of the museum for a collaged night of sound for dreaming, resisting, reflecting, and connecting alongside the artwork of Pittsburgh-born Raymond Saunders. Inspired by the exhibition Raymond Saunders: Flowers from a Black Garden, each musician will connect us with the sounds of art in the Sculpture Court and in the galleries.
Registration: Stay Tuned
July 11th – July 13th 2025 Picklesburgh
General Community Event
Over the past decade, Picklesburgh has drawn millions to the city’s core, elevated Pittsburgh’s profile, and provided a vital platform for local artisans, food vendors, and entrepreneurs, all reinforcing the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s ongoing work to revitalize Downtown through bold placemaking and cultural vibrancy. Spanning two of Pittsburgh’s iconic Sister Bridges, Allegheny Landing, Fort Duquesne Boulevard, PPG Plaza, Market Square, 6th Street and Heinz Hall Garden, this milestone year reflects the festival’s evolution from a quirky celebration to a nationally recognized economic driver for Downtown.
Learn more: Picklesburgh
July 21st 2025 Pittsburgh Passport Pirates Game
Meet college students from across the country and around the world, enjoy baseball, and of course, free food, drinks, and a night on the three rivers.
Monday, July 21st at 5:30pm
Registration: 2025 Pittsburgh Passport Pirates Game
Questions? Reach us at: passport@pump.org
July 24th Mad About the Movies with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Lights, camera, action! Get out the popcorn and turn down the lights for Mad About the Movies, a thrilling evening featuring the most memorable musical moments from Hollywood cinema. Join conductor Jacob Joyce and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for a perfect summer evening of your favorite musical hits, including iconic themes from movies like Harry Potter, E. T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and Cinema Paradiso, from composers like Mozart, Beethoven, John Williams, and more. Join us for a special pre-show experience with food, drinks, a DJ, networking, and more. Space is limited.
Registration: Mad About the Movies
Questions? Reach us at: passport@pump.org
July 27th Point State Park with PA Ranger Jack Lachendro
Did you know that there’s a Pennsylvania State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh? Curious to learn more about its history, current projects in the park, the Commonwealth park system, and local flora and fauna? Pennsylvania Park Ranger Jack Lachendro will lead a curated walking tour, present, and answer questions. This event is in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr.html
Sunday, July 27th at 10:00 – 11:30a
Registration: Point State Park with PA Ranger Jack Lachendro
Questions? Reach us at: passport@pump.org
July 27th OpenStreets hosted by BikePGH
General Community Event
OpenStreetsPGH is back in action for Summer 2025! Hosted by BikePGH, this free community event that opens miles of Pittsburgh streets for people to walk, run, bike, and explore spaces that are usually taken up by motor vehicles. Join anytime from 10 am – 2 pm on event days – the streets will be yours!
Saturday, June 29th from 10a – 2pm
Learn more: OpenStreetsPGH
July 27th Quantum Theatre Sunday Q&A and Seagull
Join us with Quanum Theatre making its Pittsburgh Passport debut to see part of the world premier of Seagull.
Chekhov’s tragi-comedy, with its pantheon of longing lovers, experienced on the banks of a pond straight out of Tolstoy’s Russian dachas (and under the glittering windows of the Mellon Center façade).
Seagull is a story of spiraling unrequited love. At its center is aspiring playwright Constantine, who falls for the beautiful Nina. Can she escape the circus of her mother, the famous, now-fading actress, Arkadina, and give the world a clarion new artistic voice?
Join us for the show and a special Q&A.
Registration: Quantum Theatre Sunday Q&A and Seagull
Questions? Reach us at: passport@pump.org
UpPrize 2025 Semi-finals
Join BNY and Innovation Works for the UpPrize 2024 Semi-finals.. During the event, we’ll hear from a panel of our 2024 UpPrize Finalists to see where they are now and how the BNY UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge impacted their businesses. Then, we’ll announce the ten UpPrize Semifinalists who will proceed in the challenge for a chance to win up to $125,000 for their business.
The BNY UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, powered by Innovation Works and funded by the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, fosters partnerships across sectors to address our community’s most critical issues. This competition aims to nurture ideas and solutions, helping social entrepreneurs reach their full potential.
This year’s challenge calls on social entrepreneurs to compete for significant non-dilutive funding and business support. Finalists stand to win $300,000 in prize monies and receive accelerator assistance to launch or expand startups using technology to address social inequities.
Registration: Stay Tuned
Questions? Reach us at: passport@pump.org
July 30th Get To Know Gecko Robotics
Gecko Robotics is hosting an open house on Wednesday, July 30th for local interns to see our office and team, and meet other interns in the Pittsburgh area. The evening includes a peek into our cutting-edge facilities coupled with the opportunity to interact with other interns living in Pittsburgh. There will be office tours, robot demos, and of course food and drink provided! We will be open from 5:30-7:30pm, and you are welcome to stay for the full or partial time. The last office tour and robot demo will start at 7pm.
Registration: Stay Tuned
Questions? Reach us at: passport@pump.org
August 2nd – Frick Park with PA Ranger Jack Lachendro
Have you heard of the Frick Environmental Center? Curious to learn more about the newly completed Sensory Nature Trail? Pennsylvania Park Ranger Jack Lachendro will lead a curated walking tour, present, and answer questions.
This event is in partnership with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Learn more: https://pittsburghparks.org/park-projects/frick-environmental-center-sensory-classroom/ & https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr.html
Registration: Frick Park with PA Ranger Jack Lachendro
Questions? Reach us at: passport@pump.org
More to come
Stay Tuned!
PUMP Through the Years
History
PUMP has been working with young people in Pittsburgh since 1995. Starting in 2003, we began holding local interest forums, including political debates for mayor and county executive, forums on transportation, healthcare, city-county consolidation, energy policy, and more. Many people don’t know that PUMP originally stood for Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project. When we began, our mission was to help encourage young and talented people, both those who had lived here all their lives and those who were new to the region, to stay here. On some measures, Pittsburgh has made significant progress since that time as more and more young people choose to come or remain here. Yet, for all of the well earned and deserved accolades attributed to Pittsburgh’s latest renaissance, we are keenly aware of the fact that the benefits are not enjoyed equally by all. The work of PUMP is no less important today than it was at our founding. We now focus our renewed advocacy efforts on fostering equity in the region and helping a diverse group of young people get connected to one another. We seek to build a Pittsburgh for ALL. Read more about our history here
