Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212
About this event
Each year, Trying Together recognizes April as the Month of the Young Child (MOYC) to uplift the incredible work of early childhood educators.
New this year, join us for Celebrating Together, an evening of formal events including a VIP Reception to present the inaugural Governor Josh Shapiro Keystone Award for Early Childhood Advocacy, followed by the 30th Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner, with support from PNC Grow Up Great.
Details
DATE
Thursday, April 30, 2026
TIME
• VIP Reception | 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. (registration opens at 4:30) | Bridges Ballroom
• Dinner | 5:45 – 9:00 p.m. (registration opens at 5:30) | Event Center
LOCATION
Rivers Casino
777 Casino Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
NOTE: Dinner guests are requested to arrive and be seated for opening remarks by 6:15 p.m. sharp. As an incentive, guests who are checked in and seated by this time will receive extra register-to-win tickets.
VIP RECEPTION
VIP Reception guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails/mocktails, and networking while supporting the work of early childhood educators. As this will be a brief reception, there will be a mix of high-top and seated tables. Please indicate any accessibility needs at the time of registration.
The VIP Reception will be held from 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. (registration opens at 4:30) in the Bridges Ballroom.
- Individual Ticket: $350
- Group of 5 Tickets: $1,400 (a $350 discount)
NOTE: VIP Reception tickets include complimentary admission to the Dinner immediately following; please indicate during registration whether you will also attend the Dinner. All registrants must provide a unique first name, last name, and email address for their guests. Placeholder information can be used temporarily at the time of registration for unconfirmed guests but must be updated by Thursday, April 16, 2026. Guests under 21 must have a designated chaperone and be able to provide their information at the time of registration.
30TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS DINNER
The Dinner will immediately follow the VIP Reception with hors d’oeuvres, food stations, music, register-to-win opportunities, photo booths, and more.
The Dinner will be held from 5:45 – 9:00 p.m. (registration opens at 5:30) in the Event Center.
- Educator Ticket: $30
- General Admission Ticket: $150
NOTE: Educators will be asked to provide the name of their early learning program during registration to be eligible for the educator ticket rate. All registrants must provide a unique first name, last name, and email address for their guests. Placeholder information can be used temporarily at the time of registration for unconfirmed guests but must be updated by Thursday, April 16, 2026. Guests under 21 must have a designated chaperone and be able to provide their information at the time of registration.
FAQ
Q: What information is required for registration?
A: All registrants must provide a unique first name, last name, and email address for their guests. However, placeholder information can be used temporarily at the time of registration for unconfirmed guests, and registrants must update all guest information through their confirmation email by Thursday, April 16 at 5 p.m. Additionally, educators will be required to indicate their early learning program, and guests under 21 must provide a designated chaperone at the time of registration. Please refer to our registration guide for support.
Q: What payment methods are accepted when registering?
A: The TicketStripe platform accepts Credit/Debit Card; Apple Pay and Google Pay (when enabled on devices); and ACH payments through Stripe. If your program would prefer to be invoiced, please contact Gabby Lisella at gabby@tryingtogether.org and she can assist you with registration.
Q: Is there an minimum age requirement for this event?
A: Yes. Adults 18 and over are welcome. However, anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a designated chaperone who is 21 and over. Anyone younger than 21 must enter the Casino through The Landing Hotel entrance with their designated chaperone. When parking in the garage, guests under 21 and their chaperone will need to exit the casino and enter through the hotel entrance. Signage will be provided, and staff available for assistance. All guests should be prepared to show ID upon entry.
Q: Will there be reserved seating?
A: VIP Reception guests who are attending the Dinner will have reserved seating in the Event Center. Dinner registrants who have at least 10 confirmed guests (by April 16 at 5 p.m.) will be contacted before the event and provided with a designated table number to share with their guests. A seating chart will be available for reference the day of the event. All other available seating will be on a first come, first served basis.
Q: Will parking be available?
A: Yes! Free parking will be available in the Rivers Casino parking garage. Valet parking is also available for a $12 fee.
Q: Is there a dress code?
A: It is recommended that VIP Reception guests dress in cocktail attire. While we have never had a formal dress code for the Dinner, many have used it as an opportunity to dress up. We recognize that many people will be coming from work directly to the event. Please dress in what is most comfortable and convenient for you!
Q: Can my dietary restrictions be accommodated?
A: Yes! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options will be available. Certified kosher meals can be made available upon request at the time of registration.
Q: What accommodations are available for accessibility needs?
A: Rivers Casino is ADA compliant. Language interpretation and audio/visual assistance can be provided upon request when indicated at the time of registration. VIP Reception and Dinner seating will be reserved for those who indicate accessibility needs at the time of registration.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Celebrating Together is a fundraising event to support Trying Together. No refunds will be provided after VIP Reception or Dinner registration is confirmed, or in the event of a no-show. If the event is cancelled, only VIP Reception ticket holders will receive a refund of the fair market value of their ticket ($250 dollars).
Questions?
For questions, contact Gabby Lisella, special events manager at gabby@tryingtogether.org or 412.204.6415.
Donations
The fair market values of Celebrating Together tickets are $250 ($350), and $150 for the VIP Reception and Dinner respectively. To keep the event accessible for all, and to honor early childhood educators, a $30 ticket is available to educators who designate their early learning program at the time of registration. The $100 "donation", and $120 "donation" generated from VIP Reception and Dinner general admission tickets respectively assists Trying Together with covering costs associated with hosting this event. Trying Together welcomes donations of any amount that you are able to make in order to make both this event, and the work of Trying Together a success!
If you are interested in purchasing tickets to donate to an early educator, please contact Gabby Lisella at gabby@tryingtogether.org.
Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities
Businesses, organizations, and individuals can purchase full-color advertisements to appear in the 2026 Celebrating Together program book. Want to honor an early childhood educator? Add their name to the Recognition List in the program book! See program book ad information to learn more.
To sponsor the VIP Reception and/or Dinner, please see our MOYC sponsor sheet for more information
For questions, contact Kerry Chapman, assistant director of development, at kerry@tryingtogether.org or 412.206.1053.
