The Allegheny County Planning and Economic Development Committee on Aug. 20 ran a live tourism survey to help shape a 2026 marketing plan and voted to authorize a request for proposals for a logo and branding style guide and to seek New York State "I Love New York" tourism promotion funds.

The survey, led by Ashley Smith, director of economic development, used an interactive tool (menti.com code 73141969) to collect committee feedback on the county's top tourism strengths, target visitor types, marketing materials, points of interest and the lasting impression the county should leave on visitors. "This is a high level, pretty broad survey. We're interested in getting your feedback on just a variety of things. No wrong answers," Smith said during the session. She told the committee staff will use the results with a small group — "about a 30 person focus group" — to begin building the 2026 marketing plan and will attach survey results to the next committee report.

Melissa Pangatori, introduced as the office's new assistant director, described her background in manufacturing and operations. "I actually am coming from mostly manufacturing for the past 15 years. I've been an operations director in most of my previous positions running operation side, HR, accounting, IT, customer service," Pangatori said.

On action items, the committee authorized staff to issue an RFP for a logo and style guide for use by the Office of Economic Development. Committee members were told procurement requires three bids and Smith said the work is expected to cost about $10,000, which is budgeted for this year. The motion was seconded by Brigitte Swire and approved by voice vote.

The committee also authorized staff to apply for New York State "I Love New York" tourism promotion funds and requested a resolution naming the county the tourism promotion agency (TPA) to make the application. Smith said the state had not released program totals; staff are basing the application on last year’s submission of $172,500 but currently expect a grant of about $110,000 with a 50/50 match, which she said would mean a county match of about $55,000 if the state award and match rules remain the same. "They haven't released the total amount, so we're basing it on what we did last year… We're looking at a total grant of $110,000, which is the 50–50 match. So $55,000 would be county match money," Smith said. Julia moved the grant authorization and Ricky seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Committee members and staff discussed the RFP and the survey during the meeting; no final branding concepts or vendor selections were made. Smith emphasized the RFP and branding would establish an identity for the Office of Economic Development and would not replace any broader regional tourism brand.

Survey notes, the RFP authorization and the grant application were recorded for follow-up; staff said they will share the compiled survey results with the committee at the next meeting.