Matt Smith: The Pittsburgh-Ireland partnership
Even before the first touchdown is scored in the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Dublin, where the Steelers host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, the Pittsburgh region already has won big.
With deep cultural ties, Southwestern Pennsylvania and Ireland have long shared a spirit of resilience and complementary economic strengths. Now, against the backdrop of this historic international game, we get to showcase to the world what makes this region so special and why companies should do business here.
This game is more than just a sporting event or entertainment activity. We’re leveraging it to drive investment to our region and forge new partnerships. As part of an investment mission that coincides with the game, a delegation of Pittsburgh corporate leaders, economic development partners and state officials will travel to Ireland to engage with influential voices from across the Atlantic.
Leaders from key regional sectors — life sciences, energy, manufacturing, AI — will discuss mutual interests and explore prospective ventures for shared growth with their Irish counterparts. A number of Pennsylvania companies already do business in Ireland, and vice versa. The goal is to strengthen those ties and recruit even more to share in the success.
When our region has a spotlight, our ability to attract business investment and companies here is always enhanced. The game in Dublin is a strategic opportunity not only to ensure the cultural bond between Pittsburgh and Ireland grows stronger but to promote our region to Irish business decision-makers because we want to accelerate capital investment, create more jobs, support bilateral trade opportunities and attract new international business here.
Economic development is about building on what our region does best and shining a light on it. What better way to do this than by partnering with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most recognized brands in sports with a global reach, to demonstrate all our region has to offer? From a skilled workforce forged by our industrial heritage and known for its ingenuity, to a thriving innovation hub pioneering advancements in manufacturing, energy, life sciences and AI, and an abundance of cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities — Pittsburgh is a place where people want to live and work.
According to Trajektory, which recently conducted a broad digital analysis to quantify the overall reach and visibility of the Steelers, the team accounts for nearly 50% of global online mentions of Pittsburgh and the region.
To put it another way, it would cost $770 million in paid advertising to generate the exposure the Steelers generate for the region. From its base in Acrisure Stadium, the team accounts for 40% of all Pittsburgh- related media value. That exposure and reach go beyond anything our region and state could tackle on their own. Simply stated, the Steelers have put Pittsburgh on the map.
The Steelers are more than a sports team — they are a vital economic engine and global exporter for the region. And the contest in Dublin is more than a game — it is our moment to provide worldwide visibility for Pittsburgh as the place for Irish and international companies to do business.
Pittsburgh is not just ready for kickoff. We’re open for business.
Matt Smith is chief growth officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
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