AMIA 2022 Keynote Speaker
Welcome to Steel City!
Keynote Speaker: Rick Sebak
AMIA 2022 Keynote & Conference Welcome
Wednesday at 9:15 am
Rick Sebak makes unusual television programs.
His slightly wacky documentaries now celebrate various aspects of modern American life and the unexpected charms of Pittsburgh. Audiences have learned to recognize his friendly narrative style and the unusual topics that he obviously loves.
Since 1987 when he returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh to work at WQED, he has produced more than 25 documentaries about the history, the neighborhoods, the buildings, the people and the food of western Pennsylvania. His programs include Kennywood Memories, Things That Aren’t There Anymore, Pennsylvania Diners, The Strip Show, What Makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh?, 25 Things I Like About Pittsburgh and Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh, among others. From 2010 through 2013, he also produced a regular weekly program titled It’s Pittsburgh & a Lot of Other Stuff, which covered many topics including Pittsburgh’s annual Dirty Dozen Bike Ride in a program that won the Mid-Atlantic Emmy® for Best Sports Special.
Sebak has also put together more than a dozen national programs for PBS that celebrate various aspects of modern American culture from sandwiches to cemeteries. His 1999 documentary titled A Hot Dog Program has become a perennial summertime favorite on PBS stations across the country. He is working now on A Few Good Places to Get a Piece of Pie and Some Really Great Bakeries, both to air probably in the summer 2015.
Sebak was nominated for two prime-time Emmy Awards for his work on Fred Rogers: America’s Favorite Neighbor. He has received numerous local awards and recognitions, including 10 regional Emmy Awards and an honorary doctorate from Seton Hill University.
Check out some of Rick’s work …