Probably one of the coolest places in Pittsburgh for any kind of event. Yes it is overpriced. Yes you have to pay for parking.. but the views from the building of our city are absolutely amazing. You're there for a basketball tournament and they had over 30 games going on at the same time.. they also had a prom going on on one of the higher level. We have been here for multiple events, such as the outdoor show, the Home and garden show, etc. It has always need to see how they're able to get so many vendors in a small place and you still feel safe and secure. read more

Came here for the oddity festival. It is a huge venue with plenty of parking. All of the people we interacted with were very friendly. I would come back for other things in the future. read more

David L Lawrence Convention Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This space is HUGE... and confusing when you're a first time visitor. I couldn't figure out how to enter on my first day and tried 3 to 4 different doors before finding the right entrance for my group. AND once I discovered the skybridge from the hotel next door, I hated having to wait for an elevator to go up one floor. The staff I encountered were generally helpful/friendly. The spaces were well maintained. read more

One of the best convention centers. State of the art! It plays host to many monumental events in Pittsburgh. read more

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David L Lawrence is a large convention center located in downtown Pittsburgh. Parking was easy and the building was easily accessible. We attended a vintage fair and there was also a dog show happening. Both events seemed well attended and the Convention center seems to get lots of use. I would attend another event at this Convention Center. read more

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This is an extremely large convention center. It's very spaced out, so be prepared for lots of walking. Multiple floors in separate buildings connected by bridges and Parkways. It is extremely clean. It's a great place to have a convention/conference. The only disappointment is the lack of food. Our own conference had a lunch stand that would pop up for a few hours, which is not really good enough for all day conferences. There should be a coffee shop nearby to cover the needs of the patrons. Otherwise a great place with a great number of rooms of a variety of sizes. read more

David L Lawrence Convention Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is a really Great facility. It's capable of handling very large events and has a really nice atmosphere. The staff who work there are very friendly and helpful. The only negative is that the food options are poor at the convention center. Luckily, there are many good food options within a few blocks of the building and the convention center doesn't appear to prohibit bringing outside food into the center. read more

David L Lawrence Convention Center - Walkway / stream running under the convention center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I was here a month ago for the Pittsburgh Auto Show. I have been attending it since I was a little kid and have always enjoyed it ever since. My favorite brand of all time is Ram Trucks and they actually did a good job with what they brought this year. Was very happy to see them all. read more

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When it was built, it was the largest green building in the world, and the first green convention center. It's an award winning building, and from it's progressive design, you will understand why. The staff here is very helpful, and the restrooms are clean. There's a great view of the river, and I once was lucky to see the view from the roof. read more

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This convention center is one of the best convention centers in the Midwest. It is so spacious and there are many rooms and spaces for panels and events. I love coming for the gaming and anime conventions so when we were told to come back but with masks and vaxx cards, I didn't hesitate to come through. They really want people to be safe and I respect that. There was a HUGE turn out regardless! People from all over the country was here and having a great time! There's approximately 5 floors if you explore the building proper. Over 100s of rooms that can be modified to be bigger or smaller at a moments notice. We have been coming here for years from Ohio and plan to keep coming as long as the games are rolling! 5 stars! read more

David L Lawrence Convention Center - Tekko tings - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This convention center is one of the best I've seen. It is close to plenty of hotels and restaurants allowing for attendees to walk where needed. There are plenty of escalators, elevators, hand sanitizers, clean restrooms, water fountains, and friendly staff all over the area. Additionally their out door is space is truly unique!! With plenty of outdoor space on multiple levels you truly cannot beat the view over looking the river or the city view on the top floor. There was ample green space as well on each floor. If you needed a break you could walk through a garden on the balcony of the second floor or the top floor as well. I couldn't recommend a better spot to host folks for a gathering. read more

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A fantastic venue for hosting large events. The Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show did not disappoint. 100's of vendors and plenty of room to roam around. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it is expensive to park there. I paid $13.00 to park to go into the garden show, then $10.00 more to get in the show. Seems kinda steep to me but hey it could be very reasonable to someone that lives here. The price of parking didn't seem to bother the large crowd attending. Beautiful grounds right on the water. read more

Huge space for multiple conventions. Kept clean and well organized. I've attended multiple expos here and each one has been unique and fun. I especially enjoy the pet expo. It's got a ton of vendors and multiple events to watch. You always leave with a bunch of samples and loads of doggies are petted. This event space is exactly what a growing city like Pittsburgh needs to be competitive. read more

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Spacious, magnificent venue with a design resembling an airport or a very large shopping mall. Sterile, angular, white walls, large windows and sunlights. Diverse range of interior rooms including academic style lecture halls, a concert/event space, and two very large exhibition halls. Phenomenal view of the rivers and the city skyline (both downtown and north side) from the various windows and decks, with open-air outdoor observation areas to stand in the wind and watch the boats go by. Has hosted a number of events including anime and furry conventions, occult/witchcraft conventions (because of course that's a thing), academic conferences (all my homies love the annual TESOL conference), and many, many more! Disability-accessible (elevator and escalator access are ample), but you may not feel comfortable at this venue if you have vertigo or are afraid of heights. read more

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This is a great venue for big events. I attended the home and garden show here, and it was a perfect set up. The convention center as a whole is so nice. Much nicer than other ones in the area. I love how it is environmentally friendly as well. All parts of the building are easily accessible, including the roof when it's open!! If you ever want to host a huge event, check this place out! On the main floor there is also a visitors center with a lot of info about Pittsburgh. Everyone from the cashiers to the security guards are so nice and helpful. It's always a plus when a place has clean bathrooms and the convention center sure does! It is definitely worth checking out an event here! There is more to do than what you think! read more

Just went to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for the 2023 Pittsburgh RV Show. This rv expo is usually held in Pittsburgh annually and is a great resource for anyone looking to purchase an RV, locate regional campgrounds or find accessories. This was my first stop many years ago when I was considering purchasing an RV and even though I have a travel trailer, I really enjoy looking at the new models and seeing the trends. It seems that toy trailers, decks and multiple doors are very popular right now. There are two levels of rvs and include everything from pop-up campers (my favorite being the A frames) to A Class Busses (costing well above the price of my house) and to the iconic Airstream (they are soooo pretty!!!). All the models are open to visitors and their prices and specifications are easily available. There are lots of customer service representative if you have questions and I have never experience any hard sell tactics, all the times i've went. There are plenty of other vendors and lots of food items. I always enjoy spend several hours roaming around the Pittsburgh RV Show. read more

Stopped here while in town or a convention. It was nice to finally get inside rather than drive underneath it or by it. Looked decent enough - though the windows were filthy and it seemed like the staff was done caring for the season. Carpets were clean, staff was friendly enough - and there is both garage parking, and uncovered lot parking across the street at the corner of Penn and 10th. read more

Lady from parking had a tone and our ticket wouldn't let us out :( would not recommend for parking

Very organized and spacious conference space with rooftop gardens!! Loved being here! Elevators and bathrooms accessible with escalators. I think this was a converted airplane hanger.. Just awesome!! read more

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Great views of the city from the overlooks towards the top. The rooms have uneven temperatures, with some being really cold and others being slightly cold (I was there in November, so it was never warm). There are plenty of breakout rooms and the tech worked out relatively well, although we did have issues with microphone cables. I do like how there's a walkway to the Westin. read more

My son made the All-Eastern Region Chorus this year and they had their concert here at the convention center. This place is really amazing. The architecture is beautiful and the acoustics in the location of the concert was excellent. I'm not sure what parking is like because we walked here from our hotel (about 3/10 of a mile). I was impressed at the cleanliness, the signage, the decor and the whole event. read more

I love this building, but on my visit here, I experienced two negative issues .... 1). After my audition for "Manhunt: Lone Wolf" on Saturday, I went up on the rooftop to enjoy the views (if you've never been up there, make it a point on your next visit, as it is the highlight of the building (and there are signs everywhere telling you to enjoy our outdoor spaces)). I spent a considerable amount of time up there taking photos and some videos of the city, and of the building itself, and I was not alone up there either, as several other folks were walking around enjoying he views. After some time, I was approached by a security guard that gave me a hard time for being up there. I said all the doors and elevator to get up were open (they are usually locked in colder months, because the area is closed during winter events), and I mentioned the signs saying please enjoy the outdoor areas, and he said ... "Not today" ... and asked me to leave. I felt if the area was supposedly closed, then the doors should have been locked, and the elevator programmed to not go up to the roof. I did as he asked, and left, as I am not a trouble-maker, and am glad I got to enjoy it at least for a little while. 2). On my way out the doors, I noticed a Welcome Center on the first floor, and it was open, so I stopped in. The woman working inside, was either having a really bad day, or she is the most miserable person I ever met working in a welcome center. She mad me feel very UNWELCOME. I said hello when I walked in, and she just stared at me. I saw that they had little gifts, trinkets, candy, and t-shirts, apparently for sale (but no prices), and I asked her if this is a gift shop, and she said, "No, it was a welcome center." I said are these things for sale, and she said, Yes." Well then, that makes it both a welcome center AND a gift shop, right? Anyway, I was polite, but every time I asked her something, she just gave me a very bad feeling like she didn't want me there, so I snapped a few photos, and grabbed a few touristy brochures, and left. I think that woman is in the wrong profession (or something in her life wasn't right that day), so I said goodbye and left. No cheers for either the security guard, or the lady in the "Unwelcome Center" .... (sad face). read more

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We spent a weekend there for a Supernatural convention and loved every minute of it. Easy access, incredible staff, friendly vendors and I can't say enough about Creation! It was my two-year old granddaughter's first convention and she had so much fun. People sitting in front of us didn't realize she was even there. We'll go back when there is an event for three generations to enjoy together read more

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$5.75 for a 20oz soda, you are out of your mind. $5.75 for a bottle of water, you are out of your mind.

I like the Lawrence -- as a mid-sized venue, it's manageable, and the location on the river is fantastic. If you go, take the elevator to the roof for the view and a few surreptitious nibbles on the herb / vegetable garden in season, although you'll have to share your air with the smokers. But, it's feeling a bit tired. It lacks a lot of amenities, and the concessions have a very limited number of food options. They've somehow conspired to have only one water fountain available on the entire floor. And it has the usual problems of permanent staff being, shall we say, unmotivated to be friendly in their interactions with the public. As a downtown location, I expect parking issues, and public transportation here is not the greatest compared to other cities with similarly located venues. That said, it's easier in and out than a lot of places I've been to, so it gives one the access of not necessarily staying downtown to attend an event. All in all, I'm happy to attend events here, but there's plenty of room for improvement if/when a further renovation is planned. read more

This place is easy on the eyes...it's actually quite lovely. From a functionality standpoint, I've seen better, however. I come here every year for the expo for the marathon and it's decent for that. However, the bathrooms are way too small and for some reason, the sink in the men's room throws water everywhere so the floor is wet. Wet bathroom floors are not my bag, baby. You never know if it's water or something more sinister. Nicer cans would net this place another star. read more

David L Lawrence Convention Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I've been here for everything from my Art Institute graduation to cons, home shows and more. It's a spacious and modern structure that with amazing views of the rivers and bridges. read more

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Here for the 2017 season Piratefest. My son and I attend Piratefest every year, and we always have a great time. There's a lot to do, the concessions are decent and reasonably priced, and my little guy always walks out smiling. Fun, fun fun...at a greatfacility! read more

David L Lawrence Convention Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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This is my first visit to this convention center since its renovation a few years back. i went to see the Home and Garden show. You can either purchase your tickets online or right as you enter. I learned that if you park at Heinz field lot 1 for $7.00 they offer free continual shuttle service right to the front door so you don't have to walk far to enter. The show is on two levels and is very easy to get lost in. Your "map" is actually a section of the newspaper where hundreds of vendors are listed sometimes more than once. My daughter who was with me helped me locate certain ones since the floor is marked with the beginning number of the row. Still there is entertainment and food galore. We decided not to eat there since they tend to be overpriced. Everyone of course is vying for your business. They do have sections marked if you are looking for kitchen, bathroom, etc. The whole first floor is devoted to landscaping hot tubs, and outdoor projects. We were able to find on the 2nd floor several unique train exhibits with the old Lionel trains some of which blew their whistle and smoke came out of the engine. The displays around the tracks were very interesting. I was most intrigued with the one devoted to Disney World complete with monorail going through the Contemporary Resort. On the other side of this exhibit was the old Sarasota circus train complete with the parade and under the big top! it was like be transported back into time. These displays alone were worth the cost of admission itself. There is a play and entertainment area for children so there is something for everyone. I ended up as usual buying a few things from local Pittsburgh artist Linda Barnicott and collecting a few brochures for kitchen cabinetry. You can spend hours there and the place does fill up. They also have a coat check area if you want to hang your coat for $2.00. I was thrilled to visit it and will come back next year even if it is just for the trains. Yes, Thomas the tank engine is there as well! read more

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The David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLLCC) is an amazing asset for the city of Pittsburgh. The space provided here is enough to bring in annual gatherings such as local favorite Anthrocon and sporadic events such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which was my first experience inside this building years ago. I love the way this building looks, with the sloping roof that makes it look like sails on a ship, the books scrolling along in blue (if you have time to waste while downtown, it's a great way to read a book), and the general massiveness of the building. One of my favorite aspects of this place is the walkway that connects to the waterfront. The cascading water can be refreshing on a hot summer day and makes you feel like you are walking in an oasis in the urban desert. With all the hustle and bustle that goes on inside it is hard to miss how beautiful this building is and how important it is to the city. Now if hotels would amass nearby, the city would be able to draw in even bigger events and more people would see how great this space can be. That's the one downside to this building, but not star-dropping worthy, that there is not a huge hotel connected. (Yes the Westin is connected, but the amount of rooms available is lacking). Don't let the negativity of parking sway you from coming here. Hey, it's downtown, parking is going to be a hassle no matter where you park. Do like me and take advantage of how close the Greyhound station/garage is and park here, probably the cheapest nearby, especially evenings and weekends. **Releases own banner, drops balloons, throws confetti** Wow, this makes review 1,000 for me. I'd like to thank the businesses, events, and places I have reviewed to get me to this point. Without you I would not have had...**music plays and cuts self off** read more

Very green and very clean, this center is designed well. I was at the David L Lawrence Convention Center for the AFT Union Convention. We were there for 5 days. A very spacious glass, steel and mortar complex attached to the Westin Hotel. It easily held almost 3000 members from around the United States and Puerto Rico. The building consists of a large meeting hall, 2 ballrooms, and several smaller meeting rooms. Their parking garage can hold 700 cars. The bathrooms are spacious and clean.... point of interest, never saw a line to use the restrooms. Staff members are pleasant and helpful. Great views from their outside patios of the river, major league baseball field and many bridges known to the City of Pittsburg. read more

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Epic convention center. Huge and beautiful. Love the view from the rooftop. Perfect for getting pics of the river.

This has to be one of the nicer convention centers I've been to. Parking was easy and but not cheep at $10. It is located right in the river with large floor to ceiling windows that make the already large space seen even larger. There are several floors to this place and I was only on the 2nd for the Farm to Table tasting event here last night. The set up was nice and not once did I feel packed in like sardines. The area was closed off by curtains so we couldn't see the great view this place offers but it was still a very functional space. The event itself offer lots and lots of great food and wine to taste and purchase if you felt so inclined. There were a few standouts at this event. Nemicolin with there pork belly from foot print farm and grits was just amazing. So much so that I plan on making a trip out for a tasting in the next few months. Letrec here I come. Also I purchased 2 bottles from R wine cellar. Both bottles are there spiced wine. Also got a Tuscan herb infused olive oil from the enchanted olive. Amazing!!! Overall this I had a great experience and won't think twice about coming to another event here. Might take my boy to the dinosaur event this weekend. We'll see. read more

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Over the past five years, I've been to this convention center four times and have enjoyed each time here. It's an impressive and well maintained building that provides both locals and out-of-towners with a good impression of the city. The first time at the center, I lived in NC and was attending a big work event here. I was very impressed by the architecture of the center but sadly wasn't in an area where I could see beautiful views of the city. After moving to Pittsburgh, I came for the annual home show and auto show. Though I liked both shows, the auto show was a bit more impressive. I hear that the home and garden show is a must-attend! Finally, I came here for the Boden liquidation sale yesterday. The views from the line to enter (where I sat for a looong time) were absolutely stunning! The section of the center overlooked the river and the North Shore with a bridge flanking both sides of the view. I didn't mind the wait just because I could admire the view. I look forward to coming back for the home and garden and auto shows in 2014! read more

David L Lawrence Convention Center - View from the convention center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I have attended several events at the Davis L Lawrence Convention Center over the many years. I have always had an enjoyable afternoon or evening. The wide open venue space is perfect for any kind of event that anyone would wish to have. I also like the attached parking garage if you plan early enough to get a spot before it fills up for the day. It is a resonable price for the convenience of a parking space. The building itself is easily accessible and easy to move around the huge building. The elevators are accommodating to several strollers or wheelchairs. The escalators are always in good working condition and I have never had an issue. The building itself has always been clean and well maintained. I have notice the works always taking care of the common areas and vending areas. The view of the river is amazing as well as the stunning view from the North Shore looking directly at the Convention Center. My issues are with the food service and the rest rooms. In my opinion the food service needs upgraded and supervised more from management. As with all contracted food service food, they lack a personal touch or good quality. I would avoid the food stations inside the Center. There are a lot of really nice restaurants in the area close to the Convention Center, avoid if possible. The rest rooms are horrible. I always find them dirty and no attended at all. The kids leave paper all over the floor and toilets are hardly ever cleaned or flushed. It's a nice place to attend an event, but know what to except before you get there and prepare accordingly. read more

I've seen the convention center many times from downtown or across the river, and have been there to catch Megabus. Yesterday and today, I finally received the opportunity to see the inside of it for the International Science and Engineering Fair. The space is massive and airy, with huge windows and balconies looking out onto the Allegheny River. The space is sleek and well-designed, with several floors of large and small rooms and the amenities necessary for a large conference or meeting. Many of the previous reviews talk about food or craft focused events, but it works just as well for a scientifically focused event such as a science fair or convention. Because of the huge nature of the space, the center is ideal for large meetings attracting hundreds of people. Even for ISEF, which has an attendance of around 5,000, it seemed large. The Westin nearby is ideal for midsize to smaller events. I can't speak to the parking situation, but the convention center is convenient to transit options from Oakland, Shadyside, and Squirrel Hill, as well as other areas of the city. It's also convenient to several of the downtown hotels, such as the Westin, Renaissance, and Hotel Monaco, as well as many restaurants along nearby Penn Ave. Overall, I had an enjoyable time as a guest at the convention center for ISEF, and am happy that I finally received the opportunity to see the interior. I hope to return for another event to check it out again soon! read more

The convention center is not perfect but it serves its purpose. The event areas are spacious and I have never felt cramped in there. Been here for the car shows, per expo, and run expos. Good layout of all if the expos here. All in all good venue with lots of bathrooms. read more

David L Lawrence Convention Center - Good luck runners and thank you volunteers! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

How do you review a convention center? Let's go with aesthetic. It's gorgeous! I mean, let's be honest. they can be pretty blah. But I love that it's on the river and they actually take advantage of it! The whole thing is pretty much one giant window overlooking the river. I'm always there clicking pics of the city skyline. So how about talking about actually attending some things here? I've been to a handful of conventions here and it's been really well set up. The Home and Garden Show is incredible! It's just floors and floors of exhibits. I thought maybe we'd spend an hour there, but you could easily spend hours or even days! I've also spent some time at the Farm to Table Conference and Handmade Arcade. Both have also been really well set up. I like that theirs a good amount of room to walk between aisles. Especially when it gets crowded. I've also attended a nice dinner here once and the transformation the room makes between conference and evening affair is surprising. They really do make an effort to not make it seem like a generic convention center. Believe, I've seen some ugly ones! The only issue you'll run into is parking. I've been there a couple times when even a little bit into an event the parking at the actual convention center is full. Not too bad though because there's close parking in the Strip for cheaper! So go take in the view... and I guess some kind of show! read more

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLLCC) rivals convention centers in other cities. It is certainly has a positive impact on Pittsburgh economic, cultural and educational development. I have attended several technical conferences at the DLLCC, typically coupled with the neighboring hotels, over the years and they are always well organized. The convention center itself provides a wonderful venue for equipment shows and/or technical displays associated with these conferences. My most treasured experiences at the DLLCC over the years has been at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden show. This year's show was no exception. With space for many vendors, the show allows one to see what's current in home decorating, gardening, landscaping, home repair and leisure and recreation among others. Some of the standouts this year included an extensive exhibit of model trains with, for example, Lionel trains complete with scenery representative of Pittsburgh. Also of note were Japanese massage chairs which it was possible to demo for 15-20 minutes with benefits rivaling any massage therapy studio. I am tempted ... There were a variety of sauna's and jacuzzi's which will remain on my wish list. This is always a pleasant experience and one only afforded by virtue of Pittsburgh having such a beautiful and spacious convention center. read more

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I was there yesterday for the GNC Live Well Health and Fitness Expo, grabbing my stuff for the half marathon. The Expo was set up well, and they were able to have many vendors set up in the main room. The parking was sub par, but at least they had police to direct traffic. No matter what, getting through the city would be hard at 5pm on a Friday. The building is pretty, and it's easy to get through the place, depending on the amount of people. Was also there for the car show last February. Although, the amount of people was greater, there was still enough room to move around, and the set up was logical and nice. All in all, a nice center for events. 4 stars due to parking. read more

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