Why the surge in interest? Annual event attendance has been climbing steadily for years, but Discovery Day\u2019s name now includes \u201cAI\u201d to reflect the technology\u2019s growing role<\/a> in the Pittsburgh innovation scene, according to PRN Executive Director Jennifer Apicella.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen it comes to innovation right now, businesses can\u2019t afford to fall behind,\u201d Apicella told Technical.ly. \u201cThis event is meant to accelerate their ability to access innovation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Plus, policymakers, investors and tech leaders from major companies \u2013 like the record-breaking $5 trillion<\/a> giant NVIDIA \u2013 are expected to attend. This year\u2019s exhibitor lineup also features major local players like autonomous trucking company Aurora and unicorn startup<\/a> Gecko Robotics.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to see the technology,\u201d Apicella said. \u201cThat\u2019s the point of this. It\u2019s not to look at websites or things on a screen. This is about [a real] experience.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n For example, Aurora plans to bring one of its autonomous trucks inside the convention center, giving attendees a chance to \u201ckick the tires\u201d and learn more about the company, said Matt Blackburn, Aurora\u2019s senior manager of government relations.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about being very transparent,\u201d Blackburn said. \u201cIf you can hop in a truck and climb around and look inside, you have a different level of confidence and trust. You can say, \u2018Wow, this isn\u2019t just something I read about in the newspaper. This is a real thing happening in Pittsburgh.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Earlier this year, the Pittsburgh-based company launched its self-driving trucks<\/a> on Texas highways. It recently announced a second route in the state<\/a>, as it plans to roll out hundreds of driverless trucks next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Turning introductions into impact\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n New connections, business deals and jobs are at the heart of PRN\u2019s mission for Discovery Day \u2013 and it seems to be working.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a survey conducted by the PRN after last year\u2019s event, 78% of companies said it helped them grow their business network, and 87% of community organizations said the event connected them to new program participants.\u00a0<\/p>\n Plus, with attendees being a mix of students, educators, job seekers and current technologists, Discovery Day provided more than 100 free headshots last year. Exhibitors recruited for nearly 300 open positions and met with 700 job hunters.<\/p>\n While the event is designed for people of many different interests and backgrounds, Apicella said, it\u2019s especially valuable for attendees to meet early-stage tech startups that haven\u2019t yet built up marketing strategies, a website or social media presence.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBusinesses came here and found Pittsburgh companies to work with. Sales were made, products were commercialized,\u201d Apicella said. \u201cCompanies were able to develop investor relations and generate capital investment, so they were discovered in that way. Jobs were found \u2026 hires were made directly from connections made at the event.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Pittsburgh\u2019s role on the world stage<\/p>\n Interest in Discovery Day has surged this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Attendance is expected to climb from about 6,000 in 2024 to roughly 10,000 this year. The growth could reflect the event\u2019s expanding reach beyond the region. Companies and organizations from around the world are expected at the showcase this year, according to Apicella.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just Pittsburgh talking to Pittsburgh,\u201d Apicella said. \u201cWe are a convener. We\u2019re a hub. Others are attracted here and gather here because of the opportunities this provides.\u201d<\/p>\n With the event\u2019s updated name comes a dedicated space for showcasing tech and AI companies, too. This year\u2019s layout divides the convention center into themed zones, allowing attendees to explore the types of companies and organizations that interest them most.<\/p>\n Popular areas from previous years are set to return, like community and STEM programs, robotics, advanced manufacturing and career pathways.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/discover-day-photohaven.jpeg\")
A robot at the Photohaven makerspace booth during Pittsburgh\u2019s Discovery Day (Alice Crow\/Technical.ly)<\/p>\n![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/discovery-day-robotics-zone-scaled.jpg\")
The third annual Discovery Day showcases local robotics startups (Alice Crow\/Technical.ly)<\/p>\n