As part of the celebration and conversation about water quality issues in our region and around the globe, Pittsburgh presents the Water Matters! Global Water Conference on Thursday, June 3rd.

The Water Matters! Conference will provide fascinating insights into the challenges and opportunities in our human relationship with water.  Don’t miss it.

The conference represents the most remarkable line-up of water experts to ever visit Pittsburgh.  Come be part of an eye-opening exploration of the ways Water Matters!

The exhibit area complements the rich conference content with a focus on educating the public about innovative solutions to water and biodiversity challenges and opportunities.  Learn more about becoming an exhibitor.

Space is limited, registration ends Tuesday!  Register now.

A partial list of keynotes and speakers includes:

• David Ainsworth, UN Convention on Biological Diversity
• Peter Annin, Institutes for Journalism & Natural Resources
• Roberta Bowman, Duke Energy
• Herb Buxton, US Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
• Marla Cone, Environmental Health News
• Don Correll, American Water
• John Cronin, The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries
• Marc Edwards, Virginia Tech
• Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post
• Amy Fraenkel, UNEP Regional Office for North America
• Katherine Jackson, Westinghouse
• Greg Koch, Global Water Stewardship Program, The Coca-Cola Company
• Mike Magee, healthy-waters.org
• Rich Meeusen, Badger Meter Co and Milwaukee 7 Water Council
• Kathleen Miller, National Center for Atmospheric Research
• Carl Safina, Blue Ocean Institute
• Peggy Shepard, WE ACT for Environmental Justice 

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato are signed up to show their support for their city and this historic effort. Following their lead, a group of 30 of city employees have signed up to join them.

During a recent press event, Onorato pledged himself to Pittsburgh, saying,

“Western Pennsylvania, we need your help!  If you have a canoe or kayak, or if you know someone with a canoe or kayak, please register and bring it down to the Point on June 5.  Let’s show New York and Cleveland that we have what it takes to break the record!”

With two of the region’s leading officials standing alongside us and so far over 1,160 of you registered to join us on June 5, of course we have what it takes! We’ll see you at the Point!

These zombies were actually ‘burghers in disguise, and rather than seeking brains for food, they solicited non-perishables for locals in need. The walk was a successful food drive for the Greater Pittsburgh community food bank. As for fame—they got it!

Pittsburgh’s walk on October 9, 2006, set the first-ever World Record for “The Most People Participating in a Zombie Walk.”

Walkers were inspired by Dawn of the Dead, Director George Romero’s 1978 zombie flick filmed at the Monroeville Mall.

The movie is a sequel to Romero’s earlier Night of the Living Dead (1968) and follows four survivors of the expanding zombie apocalypse into their refuge: an abandoned shopping mall.

894 Pittsburghers, in memoriam of the film, shredded their clothes, looked as lifeless as possible, and stumbled from one end of the mall to another.

Pittsburgh’s record has since been challenged, beaten, and reclaimed in a following Zombie Fest of 1,341 participants, verified in June 2009. The second attempt included fun events like a “Zombie Olympics,” “Brain Eating Contest,” and “Ugly Pageant.”

Other notable World Records set in Pittsburgh include the Largest Wedding vow renewal, October 2008, as part of Pittsburgh 250.

Participant Chet Suty proposed the renewal to his wife, Christine, because “it would be romantic, fun, and record-breaking.” Oh it was, Chet. It was.

Also in 2008, Mama Lena Pizza, in McKee’s Rocks, attempted the world’s largest commercially-sold pizza, a whopping 150-cut, 53½ inch pizza that takes 15 pounds of cheese. It’s still available, for a bill proportional to the number of bellies it’ll fill.