Steel City Con crowds bolster call to retain Monroeville Convention Center

The Monroeville Convention Center was home to about 18,000 cosplayers, celebrity seekers, hobbyists and the plain curious this weekend, just more than a month after the center’s future was very much in doubt.

In February, owners of the three-day Steel City Con, one of the largest events conducted each year at the expo center adjacent to Monroeville Mall, learned they would have to find a new venue — possibly outside of town. It wasn’t until an 11th-hour deal between Monroeville, Pittsburgh-based Oxford Development Co. and national retail chain Hobby Lobby paved the way for the convention center to keep its doors open.

“We’re extremely grateful the convention center is going to remain open, and this weekend demonstrates how important it is to the community,” said Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock when contacted Sunday by TribLive. “All of our hotels were booked this weekend. Our restaurants and businesses were because of all these people.”

Officials said the convention center and its 100,000 square feet of event space that hosts events throughout the year saw 400,000 visitors in 2023, which led to about 20,000 hotel stays.

Steel City Con is among largest events hosted at the convention center.

Owner Bob Stein said he was surprised when notified he would have to find another venue for his next scheduled convention set for Monroeville in August.

“We woke up and learned our venue was going to be a Hobby Lobby. We were open to moving to another facility in Monroeville, but we were looking at other venues in the region,” Stein said. “I have to say, Visit Monroeville and the city were amazing. They led the effort to save the convention center.”

‘Like no other place’

Rosanne Falvo, one of dozens of vendors who participated in Steel City Con over the weekend said she struggled to understand the potential closing of the convention center. Falvo of Export, along with her husband, Dave and son, Aaron, also owns a jewelry kiosk at Monroeville Mall. She said they expected regional businesses to suffer without a local convention center.

They were relieved to still have additional opportunities to sell their wares at future conventions so close to home.

“It was so dumb. Look at this, it’s like no other place. Thankfully, someone with common sense wised up,” said Dave Falvo. His wife added, “If this would have closed, they don’t realize the impact it would have had to all businesses on Route 22.”

Renee Coward of Tarentum operates Steel City Ghostbusters, a nonprofit organization that raises money for Toys for Tots. She said Steel City Con is among the largest and most successful opportunities for her charity. She suggested her organization’s efforts would struggle without the Monroeville conventions.

“This is a big event for us. We reach a lot of people during this event,” Coward said.

Craig A. Van Gorder, traveled from Mars Township to attend the convention Sunday. He said he’s a frequent visitor at the convention center and works as a vendor during an annual gun show held at the facility. Dressed as a Knights Templar, Van Gorder said he’d miss his visits to Monroeville.

“They’d (Monroeville) lose all kinds of money if they shut down this place,” Van Gorder said.

Christa Amari and her daughter, Ryena O’Conner, of Robinson said they regularly attend the comic con. Both — in the spirit of cosplay — were in costumes Sunday, Amari dressed as Batman villain Poison Ivy, and her 12-year-old daughter as video game character Klee. The cosplayers said they look forward to the convention.

“I was really disappointed when they were about to close. There are a lot of activities here, and I was afraid they wouldn’t be able to do any more,” Amari said.

Update expected

That’s why Monroeville officials, acting with Allegheny County and state leaders, worked to ensure the convention center remains open, according to the mayor.

Gresock said negotiations are progressing to ensure Monroeville’s continued relationship with the convention center. “We’re hoping to have an announcement this summer,” Gresock said.

He said local officials remain hopeful a buyer is found for the former Double Tree Hotel, located next door to the convention center. It was shuttered in February.

“We know there are groups interested in the hotel, and the fact the convention center remains open is a huge selling point for the hotel. This weekend showcases that area,” Gresock said.