AUGUST, 2026

Our On Location
Program arrives in Pittsburgh

Our life-changing program brings multicultural perspectives and professional skills to young people across the world. Will you help us bring change to Pittsburgh?

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Meet with the Team to Learn More

BUILD the SKILLS you need to BE READY

ON Location August 22 & 23, 2026
David L. Lawerence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA🇺🇸

Your Big Year® is coming to Pittsburgh with our career-readiness program! In partnership with Visit Pittsburgh, Peace Through Tourism and Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA), we are offering youth, ages 15-20, with some flexibility slightly younger or older, a fully-funded, interactive workshop alongside SYTA’s Annual Conference!

Love travel? Curious about tourism? Great. Not sure either one is your thing? Still great.

This workshop is for any young person who wants to build confidence, explore future possibilities, and develop career-readiness skills that can support them no matter what path they’re considering. Along the way, participants will connect with friendly, passionate leaders from the travel and tourism industry and discover how skills like communication, creativity, leadership, and problem-solving can open doors in any field.

Did we mention that FREE lunch and a FREE event t-shirt are also included?

This program is run by high energy facilitators who maintain engaging participation. What makes this program more unique is that it is highly adaptable to specific needs of an institution, geographical location, and logistical requirements.

Our programming is based on 20+ years of experience working with young people, globally, and with leading technology companies to design products for the future of work and education.

We accept applications on a rolling basis until August 15.
Spaces are limited to just 100 participants.

A circular diagram with colorful sticky notes surrounding a question, "What is needed to find solutions?" and a marker on a table. The poster promotes developing future-ready skills for youth in a dynamic environment.
A young man in a blue shirt shaking hands with a woman at a conference registration table, with other attendees in the background.
A group of young people wearing red shirts, standing in Times Square, New York City, with colorful billboards and skyscrapers in the background.

Thank you to our Partners:

3D text logo reading 'International Connector' with a red dot on the 'i' and a black outline.
Neon sign featuring an orange butterfly and the word 'jasmine' written in cursive.
Backlit logo of Music City with a stylized musical note design in black and blue.
Logo of a globe with colorful continents and the text "Peace Through Tourism" beside it.
Logo of the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) featuring an orange globe with North America highlighted and the name SYTA in blue, with the full organization name below.
Logo of the Youth Foundation with a globe and orbit design, and text 'Youth Foundation' with the slogan 'Travel Changes Young Lives for Good'.
Color palette with six squares in red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and purple.
A circular graphic celebrating 95 years of the Pittsburgh World Affairs Council with white and yellow text on a dark blue background.
A blue silhouette of a bird in flight with white bird outlines inside it, above the text 'NATIONAL AVIARY' in green.

SEE WHAT THE EVENT LOOKS LIKE

Event Schedule

Conference Schedule Table
Day 1
10:00 am -
3:30 pm

Included:

  • Skill-Building Activities:
    • Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals
    • Personal Brand and Presenting Yourself
    • Networking and Mapping Your Resources
    • Reflection and Action Plan
  • Lunch / SWAG / Rewards provided
  • Professional Panel
  • Presentaion by the National Aviary
Day 2
10:30 am -
1:00 pm

Included:

  • Speed Networking with Professionals (they're super friendly - a perfect group of professionals to work with).
  • Live Confrence Floor Access where youth practice real world networking (again, a perfect group to work with)!
  • Free ice-cream and snacks (can't go wrong with that)!
Register yourself or a group here
 

FAQ

  • Your Big Year® On Location Pittsburgh is a fully funded, interactive career-readiness workshop for youth. The program helps young people build confidence, explore future possibilities, develop professional skills, and connect with supportive leaders.

  • No. The program is proudly supported by leaders in travel and tourism, and participants will get the chance to connect with friendly professionals from that industry. But the skills you will build, communication, confidence, networking, personal branding, goal setting, and presenting yourself, can be used in any field.

    Think of travel and tourism as the exciting setting, not the only destination.

  • At the David L. Lawerence Convention Center.

  • On Day 1, the program runs from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm and includes skill-building activities, lunch, swag, rewards, and a professional panel. On Day 2, the program runs from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm and includes speed networking with professionals, live conference floor access, and snacks.

  • While we recommend attending both days, you are able to attend just day 1.

  • That is exactly why this program exists. You do not need to have your future figured out. The workshop is designed to help you explore options, discover strengths, meet supportive professionals, and take practical next steps toward whatever future direction feels right for you.

  • Yes! The webpage notes that exceptions may be available for applicants who are slightly outside the listed age range, so interested youth are encouraged to apply anyway.

  • No previous experience is required. This program is for youth who are curious, open to learning, and interested in building skills for their future.

  • Interested participants can sign up through the application link on the Your Big Year® On Location Pittsburgh page.

    Direct Sign-Up Form

  • It’s simple, opportunities are everywhere, and this program helps you feel ready for them!

    Whether you are thinking about college, work, entrepreneurship, travel, community leadership, creative industries, or something completely different, this experience is designed to help you build confidence, meet inspiring people, and walk away with skills you can use anywhere.

  • No! You can be from anywhere - Pittsburgh, surrounding counties or passing through!

  • SYTA (Student Youth Travel Association) is a premier professional trade association that promotes student and youth travel worldwide.

    They are dedicated to providing life-enhancing travel experiences to students and young people.

    https://syta.org/

Your Big Year® has extensive reach:

Infographic showing data: 300,000+ participants, aged 15-28, from 190 countries, 350 schools and universities, and 300 partner organizations.

Through partnerships, we’ve engaged young people globally. Partner with us, so we can make this year YOUR BIG YEAR.

You’re an individual and want to join?

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