PITTSBURGH – The David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC) has
partnered with KultureCity® to make this location and all its programs
and events Sensory InclusiveTM. This new initiative will promote an
accommodating and positive experience for all guests with a sensory
issue, no matter their age or ability.
The certification process ensures that the staff at the DLCC are trained
annually by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those
guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload
situation. KultureCity® Sensory Bags, equipped with noise-canceling
headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue
cards, and KCVIP lanyards will be available to all guest at the DLCC who
may feel overwhelmed by this new environment. A Quiet Room is available,
which is a private room located on Level 2, Concourse A of our venue
that can be accessed by connecting with our Security Staff. Headphone
Zones are marked in areas of heightened noise potential in the venue.__
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often
experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar
conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is
sensitivity to over stimulation and noise, which can be a major part of
the environment at a location like the DLCC. With its new certification,
the David L. Lawrence Convention Center is now better prepared to assist
guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and
accommodating experience possible.
Prior to their visit, families and individuals can download the free
KultureCity® App where one can view what sensory features are available
and where they can access them including, Quiet Areas, where to get a
KultureCity® Sensory Bag, where the Headphone Zones are etc. Also, on
the App is the Social Story which will provide a customized visual
preview of what to expect while enjoying a visit to DLCC.
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is honored to partner with
KultureCity, ensuring a welcoming, safe, and positive environment for
all those who visit, whether for a business meeting, tradeshow, or
special event. We’re proud to be the first KultureCity-certified
Sensory Inclusive Convention Center in the state of Pennsylvania.
-Tim Muldoon, General Manager, David L. Lawrence Convention Center
KultureCity® is a leading non-profit recognized nationwide for using
its resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for
those with sensory needs, not just those with autism. Since the
program’s inception, KultureCity® has created over 1,000 Sensory
InclusiveTM public and private services, organizations, events and
venues in 6 countries: this includes special events such as the NFL
Pro-Bowl, NFL Super Bowl, MLB World Series, and MLB All Star Weekend.
KultureCity® has won many awards for its efforts, including the NASCAR
Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award in 2017 and the 2018 Clio Sports
Silver for social good in partnership with Cleveland Cavaliers/Quicken
Loans Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Quiet Space Sensory Room at
Quicken Loans Arena was a finalist for the 2018 Stadium Business Award,
KultureCity® was named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies
for 2019 and 2020 by FastCompany and recently won the Industry Partner
Award in TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Awards 2019.
About the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh’s environmentally smart, LEED® Gold Certified David L.
Lawrence Convention Center located in Pittsburgh is owned by the Sports
& Exhibition Authority of Allegheny County [1]. This 1.5
million-square-foot facility features 313,000 square feet of exhibit
space, 37 loading docks, 53 meeting rooms and a 31,000-square-foot
ballroom. The building’s dynamic architectural design is like no other
convention center, offering breath-taking views, open terraces and a
suspended roof structure.
About LEED®
LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building
Rating System ™ is a feature-oriented rating system that awards
buildings points for satisfying specified green building criteria. The
six major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites,
Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor
Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design. Certified, Silver, Gold
and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded
based on the total number of points earned within each LEED category.
