Events
IDA 66th Annual Conference & Marketplace
The International Downtown Association held its 66th Annual Conference & Marketplace on October 6-8, 2020. Inspired leaders shaping cities from around the globe convened online to discuss emerging trends and important challenges in urban place management. Attendees left with new ideas and solutions to apply in their respective cities. Forward Together, brought our community of professionals together to benefit from the combined wisdom within IDA to achieve impact, embrace innovation, create strategies and solve the challenges that downtowns and urban districts face around the world. The virtual conference highlighted the brightest industry minds and feature timely educational sessions, dynamic Master Talks, exciting networking opportunities and innovative corporate solutions.
IDA members can access session recordings through the Knowledge Center. Click here to access recordings. We look forward to seeing you next year for the 67th Annual Conference & Marketplace October 20-22, 2021 in Tampa, FL.
Master Talks
Carol Coletta
President & CEO, Memphis River Parks Partnership
Carol Coletta leads the relaunch of Memphis River Parks Partnership, a nonprofit developing, managing and programming six miles of riverfront and five park districts. Previously, she led the two-year start-up of ArtPlace, a unique public-private collaboration to accelerate creative placemaking in communities across the U.S. and was President & CEO of CEOs for Cities for seven years. She also served as Executive Director of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, U.S. Conference of Mayors and American Architectural Foundation. For nine years, Carol was host and producer of the nationally syndicated weekly public radio show Smart City, and now continues producing conversations with urban leaders on the podcast, Cities Now.
Maurice A. Jones
President & CEO, OneTen
Maurice A. Jones was appointed CEO of OneTen in March of 2021. OneTen is a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies who are coming together to upskill, hire and promote one million Black Americans. Prior to joining OneTen, Maurice was the President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), one of the country's largest organizations supporting projects to revitalize communities and catalyze economic opportunity for residents. Maurice also served as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Bruce Katz
Founding Director, Nowak Metro Finance Lab, Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
Bruce Katz is the Founding Director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Previously he served as inaugural Centennial Scholar at Brookings Institution and as vice president and director of Brooking’s Metropolitan Policy Program for 20 years. He is a Visiting Professor in Practice at London School of Economics, and previously served as chief of staff to the secretary of Housing and Urban Development and staff director of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Affairs. Katz co-led the Obama administration’s housing and urban transition team. He is coauthor of The Metropolitan Revolution and The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism, editor or coeditor of several books on urban and metropolitan issues, and a frequent media commentator.
Lateefah Simon
President, Akonadi Foundation
Lateefah Simon is a 20-year veteran organizer for racial justice in Oakland and the Bay Area. She has been the President of the Akonadi Foundation since 2016. That same year—driven by the death of Oscar Grant—she ran and was elected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors—of which she now serves as President. Lateefah is also a member of California State University's Board of Trustees and frequently turned to by state officials for strategic advice on policy matters related to racial justice. Lateefah received the MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Award in 2003—making her the youngest woman ever to receive the award at that time.
Dana Telsey
CEO and Chief Research Officer, Telsey Advisory Group
Dana Telsey, a thought leader and influencer in the world of consumer and retail, blends her Wall Street acumen with real-time insights into the trends shaping consumers’ purchasing decisions. In 2006, Dana founded Telsey Advisory Group (TAG), the leading consumer-focused research, banking, and consulting firm on Wall Street. As the rapidly changing consumer landscape forces companies, Boards of Directors, investors, governments and other stakeholders to rethink the consumer paradigm, Dana is at the forefront providing guidance on the key factors impacting the consumer (r)evolution. During her 35-year career, Dana has developed expertise that spans across U.S. and international consumer companies in sectors including: apparel, consumer electronics, cosmetics, department stores, footwear, grocers, home improvement and furnishings, internet, luxury, restaurants, and specialty retail.
Jennifer S. Vey
Senior Fellow and Director, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program
Jennifer Vey’s work at the Brookings Institution primarily focuses on the connection between placemaking and inclusive economic development in the digital economy. She is the author or co-author of numerous Brookings publications, including Transformative Placemaking: A framework to create connected, vibrant, and inclusive communities and Assessing your Innovation District: A how-to guide. Prior to joining Brookings in 2001, Jennifer was a Community Planning and Development Specialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Conference Details
Registration is currently closed for IDA’s 66th Annual Conference & Marketplace.
Cancellation Policy: Written notice of cancellation is required. Cancellations received via email by September 17, 2020 will receive a refund less a $50 processing fee. Refunds will be processed approximately 30 days after the event. Cancellations received after September 17, 2020 will not be refunded. IDA regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows. Please email the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association by emailing at registration@downtown.org.
Substitutions: Substitutions of registrations are gladly accepted prior to the virtual event start date. Please submit a written request to registration@downtown.org by October 5, 2020 at 3 pm ET to complete your substitution. Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for all financial obligations (any balance due) associated with that substitution.
Student Registration: IDA is offering a student rate of $99 USD for the 66th Annual Conference & Marketplace. If you are currently a full-time student at a university or a college, email registration@downtown.org for assistance in registering to attend the conference at this special rate. Please include a copy of your valid student ID card.
Late Registration: A $50 late registration fee per attendee will be added for registrations completed on or after September 18, 2020.
Payment Methods: For your convenience, payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Should you need to pay by check, you will not be able to complete registration online. Please email registration@downtown.org for assistance.
Accessibility: IDA is committed to making our educational sessions accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, and to reasonably accommodating the assistive needs of our members, attendees and partners. We are actively working to increase the accessibility of our offerings. In so doing, we strive to comply with the available standards and guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws to the greatest extent possible. Do you require special assistance? Please contact IDA at registration@downtown.org and we will be in contact with you prior to the conference for more information and to make arrangements as needed.
Code of Conduct: Please review the Code of Conduct here.
All attendees will receive a customized login link via email one week prior to the conference start date. If attendees register after September 28th, they will receive the login link via email shortly after registration.
- Find the email titled “IDA Platform Join Link” sent from registration@downtown.org.
- Using the link in the email, you will then be prompted to Claim Your Account by creating a password.
- NOTE: For security reasons, you will only be able to use the above link once. Please contact us at registration@downtown.org to have the email re-sent.
- Because each attendee profile is linked to a specific email, sharing personalized log-in links across devices is prohibited. You will not be able to be logged in from two devices simultaneously. If you need to jump between two devices (e.g. computer to a mobile device), you will need to first log out from one device before logging back in to another.
System Requirements
Desktop or Laptop Computer (Recommended)
Most computers purchased within the past few years will exceed the minimum requirements stated below.
Operating System:
Mac OSX 10.7 or later or Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista (SP1 or later), XP (SP3 or later)
Processor / RAM:
Single Core 1Ghz or higher (Dual core 2Ghz or higher, 4G RAM recommended)
Web Browser:
On Mac: Chrome 30+, (recommended) Safari 7+, Edge 84+ or Firefox 27+
On Windows: Chrome 72+ (recommended), Edge 84+ or Firefox 27+
Internet Connection:
1.5 Mbps “up” minimum (3+ Mbps “up” recommended). You can use speedtest.net to test your speeds on your computer.
Hardware (recommended but not required):
Webcam and a headset with a microphone. (The microphone and speakers that come built-in to most computers is adequate, but not optimal.)
Who attends the IDA conference? IDA conferences are designed to meet the needs of professional place managers from downtown organizations, city agencies, municipalities and private-sector companies. Content is designed for every level of the profession, from executives to associates.
What is the cancellation policy? Written notice of cancellation is required. Cancellations received via email by September 17, 2020 will receive a refund less a $50 processing fee. Refunds will be processed approximately 30 days after the event. Cancellations received after September 17, 2020 will not be refunded. IDA regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows. Please email the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association by emailing at registration@downtown.org.
This is my first IDA conference. Can I get a mentor? We have designed a program to match you with a mentor prior to attending the IDA’s 66th Annual Conference & Marketplace. You will be notified via email by your mentor to set up a time to meet on the virtual conference platform a week before the event. Sign up by checking the box “Match me with a Mentor” during registration. Interested in sharing your IDA wisdom and being a mentor? Check the box “I Want to Be a Mentor” during registration.
Questions? Email registration@downtown.org.
If you are a consultant or corporate representative, please contact Tracie Clemmer about mentor opportunities.
The Annual Conference & Marketplace of the International Downtown Association is the signature gathering of inspired leaders who are shaping cities around the globe. This is the premier event for urban place management professionals to discuss industry trends, share best practices and learn the latest tips of the trade.
2019 by the numbers: 950+ attendees, 10 Master Talks, 36 breakout sessions, 35 diverse and exciting sponsors and exhibitors offering services to enhance cities and help your profession. Attendees came from South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, England, Sweden and throughout North America, with a contingent of more than 120 from Canada alone.
What we heard at #IDABALT19:
“The IDA Conference is an outstanding opportunity to gain expert knowledge and learn from other communities. It is a ‘must-attend’ event for all urban management professionals interested in how to ensure a bright future for our ever-growing cities.”
“This conference was educating, refreshing and inspiring to see the work that’s being done in cities around the world. I encourage staff at varying levels to attend and share what you learned with your colleagues and create a plan of action to produce measurable change in your community.”
“Once again, IDA has brought together the innovators that breathe life and excitement into our downtowns.”
“If your organization is dealing with an issue, IDA conferences are the way to meet directly with a person who has successfully dealt with that issue.”
Members of the media interested in attending the IDA Annual Conference & Marketplace are welcome during the event’s Master Talks and breakout sessions. RSVPs for credentialed media are required for programs. To obtain credentials, please contact Allison Shashok, Director of Membership & Marketing, at allison@downtown.org. Please identify your outlet and contact information.
For decades, urban place management professionals have acted as leaders of their communities by undertaking the strategic and visionary work of city building. IDA has developed seven official knowledge domains, recognizing the distinct areas of professional practice used to shape vibrant urban districts which anchor the well-being of towns, cities, and regions around the world. Content for IDA’s Annual Conference is organized around this framework. For more information about each domain, visit the Career Center.
Preview the schedule-at-a-glance below. All sessions and speakers will be listed in the schedule as the information is available. To see the full description, click on the down arrow next to the title. Times listed below for the virtual conference are in Eastern Daylight Time. Note, this preliminary program is subject to change.
Conference Program
- Tuesday 06 Oct 2020
- Wednesday 07 Oct 2020
- Thursday 08 Oct 2020
Tuesday 06 Oct 2020
Description:
- IDA Master Talks present the industry's most engaging and innovative speakers. Join Tuesday’s opening general session to hear from Jennifer S. Vey from Brookings Institution and Dana Telsey from the Telsey Advisory Group. Each year, IDA recognizes outstanding projects through the Downtown Achievement Awards which identify improvements to urban centers by dedicated organizations around the globe. Grow with Google is the presenting sponsor of the 2020 IDA Downtown Achievement Awards.
- Jennifer Vey
- Dana Telsey
Description:
- Meet up with other conference attendees one on one, schedule group gatherings or recharge between sessions. Renew friendships and expand your network of like-minded professionals!
Domain:
- Planning, Design and Infrastructure
- CM | 1
- Cities around the nation are tackling the issue of parking head-on, as the status quo is no longer working. The cities of Poughkeepsie, NY and Memphis, TN have reframed their parking discussions, not as the end itself, but as a development tool and maintenance of a sustainable community. What can you learn from their experiences?
- Understand the importance of data, how your parking system is currently operating and how future demand will impact the system.
- It’s not all about the “Big Fish.” Learn how small and mid-sized cities can proactively use parking as a downtown development tool.
- Park’splaining: How can your downtown reframe the parking discussion?
- Iain Banks, Senior Associate, Nelson Nygaard (Washington, DC)
- Brett Roler, Vice President of Planning & Development, Downtown Memphis Commission (Memphis, TN)
- Paul Hesse, Community Development Coordinator, City of Poughkeepsie (Poughkeepsie, NY)
- Natalie Quinn, Planning Director, City of Poughkeepsie (Poughkeepsie, NY)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- In this new decade of placemaking, equity and upward mobility, opportunities should exist at all levels in the urban place management industry. This session addresses development opportunities and how organizations can actively engage and take a fresh approach to workforce development for frontline staff. We will discuss how the DowntownDC BID secured a grant to train and hire 23 ambassadors with employment challenges.
- Identify the inequities that have been created and often exist between corporate staff and frontline team members.
- Recognize the value and significance of investing in placemaking frontline team members.
- Develop a framework for potential workforce development offerings for their ambassadors.
- Ebony P. Walton, Senior Operations Administrator, DowntownDC BID (Washington, DC)
- Gerren Price, Director of Public Space Operations, DowntownDC BID (Washington, DC)
- Rodney C. Burris, Professional Development Coach, DowntownDC BID (Baltimore, MD)
- Janita Branch, Entrepreneur, Author and Speaker, Purposed for a Purpose (Richmond Hill, GA)
Domain:
- Policy and Advocacy
- CM | 1
- Diversity, equity and inclusion have become an even more important and timely issue in 2020 for many cities and organizations. We have an obligation to look inwardly at ourselves, our organizations and at our peers who, knowingly or in ignorance, perpetuate systemic racism and inequality. Business improvement districts can be powerful actors for change. During this time of necessary and overdue reflection, we will discuss how BIDs and other place management organization can reimagine the way they use their power, not only to become stronger allies to Black communities, but to actively shape cities and downtowns that foster Black wealth and quality of life, and lessen the inequities that divide us. Join this session and learn from experts who will share experiences in their respective cities and discuss successes of workforce development initiatives and policy, advocacy and education efforts.
- Jake Gordon, CEO, Downtown Vision Inc (Jacksonville Florida)
- Matt Bergheiser, President, University City District (Philadelphia PA)
- Shawn Barney, Managing Director, CLB Porter LLC (New Orleans, LA )
- Kris Kolluri, CEO, Cooper's Ferry Partnership (Camden, NJ)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- CM | 1
- As we look to the future, and the economic recovery that will come after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, all signs point to the re-emergence of main streets as the place people will turn to for retail shopping and dining. A new generation of entrepreneurs will be eager to start a fresh chapter in their lives, and the suburban shopping centers will not attract them. This timely presentation will illustrate how well-managed and attractive downtowns offering the type of safe, experiential and social interaction sought by millennials, young families and empty nesters, will be the new home for the post-pandemic boom in the years to come.
- Understand new post-pandemic market and demographic shifts to shop and dine in downtowns for safe and social experiences.
- Learn how downtowns can attract emerging retailers and restaurant entrepreneurs seeking to open new businesses.
- Gain an understanding of specific streetscape, marketing, promotional, signage, merchandising and urban design enhancements necessary to implement sustainable urban shopping districts in the new era.
- Learn to prepare for the anticipated mass relocation of mall retailers to downtown shopping districts and new urban town centers.
- Robert Gibbs, FASLA, AICP, President, Gibbs Planning Group, Inc. (Birmingham, MI)
Domain:
- Policy and Advocacy
- Please join MP Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure & Community, as he shares sections of the Throne Speech and Budget relevant to helping Canadian businesses and the associations which support them. Mr. Fillmore will also provide details of the proposed $31 million program available to BIAs and SDCs to support public infrastructure, active transportation and digital commerce.
- Paul MacKinnon, CEO, Downtown Halifax Business Commission (Halifax, NS)
- Andy Fillmore, MP & Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Infrastructure & Community (Halifax, NS)
Domain:
- Marketing, Communications and Events
- “We’re all in this together!” Let’s discuss the challenges of creating marketing, communications and event plans for 2021 and beyond with the data we receive from the CDC and our local government regarding COVID-19. Join us to discuss the ongoing economic recovery needs of our businesses.
- Annie Coakley, Executive Director, Downtown Evanston (Evanston, IL)
- Nancy Miyahira, Vice President & Marketing Director, Georgetown BID (Washington, DC)
Description:
- No time to reinvent the wheel? Then check out the 2020 Downtown Achievement Awards! The International Downtown Association recognizes outstanding projects through the Downtown Achievement Awards which identify improvements to urban centers by dedicated organizations around the globe. These innovative projects set the new standard for improving cities worldwide. Visit IDA’s Virtual Marketplace to learn more about winning projects from IDA’s 2020 Downtown Achievement Awards sponsored by Grow with Google.
Domain:
- Marketing, Communications and Events
- Hear from two projects about their community engagement efforts.
- For the past two years, The Longest Table has welcomed local Grand Forks, North Dakota residents to sit down for a free meal in a welcoming environment with people they may not have known, to foster stronger connections, exchange stories, discuss community challenges and spur civic innovation. The Longest Table has been successful in engaging underrepresented populations in important civic conversations; providing everyday citizens with tools to be active participants in creating the community they want to have; and gathering and distributing data to inform, engage and influence local, regional and state decision-making.
- The Downtown Activation and Public Art Initiative (DAPA) was created in 2012 to enliven downtown Pittsburgh through a diverse and engaging use of public art, creative placemaking and entrepreneurship. DAPA programming includes an ever-evolving collection of activities, installations, art offerings and markets such as the Market Square Public Art and Urban Supper which have brought in tens of thousands to celebrate downtown Pittsburgh.
- Barbara Askins, President and CEO, 125th Street BID (New York, NY)
- Kathryn Kester, Executive Director, Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals (Grand Forks, ND)
- Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (Pittsburgh, PA)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- Hear from two projects about their community care and service initiatives.
- The Downtown Day Services Center offers services to individuals experiencing homelessness by utilizing a housing-first model and is operated by the DowntownDC BID with support from the District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) and services from Pathways to Housing DC and HIPS. The center offers on-site support by providing a multitude of services within a single point of access including: food and beverages; restroom, shower and laundry facilities; employment assistance; legal services; healthcare; harm reduction services; computer access; social activities and entertainment; and more. In the last year, the facility has served over 38,549 individuals.
- In South Africa, approximately 45 million people rely on the public health system most of whom are low-income earners who cannot afford to pay high prices for health care. Responding to this need, the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) collaborated with the Cipla Foundation to launch a new community-based healthcare hub at the Bellville public transport interchange to provide primary healthcare services, eye care and a chronic medicine pick-up point to the scores of commuters that pass through. Called the Sha’p Left Centre, the hub comprises three fully-fitted reused shipping containers with the capacity to treat 80 patients per day.
- Leasa Gibbons, Executive Director, Regina’s Warehouse District BID (Regina, SK)
- Neil Albert, President & CEO, DowntownDC BID Corporation (Washington, DC)
- Warren Hewitt, CEO, Greater Tygerberg Partnership (Bellville, South Africa)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- Planning, Design, and Infrastructure
- Hear from two projects projects about activating retail and real estate in their communities.
- Project Downtown, the master plan for Wichita, is a 15-year community vision and blueprint for development in downtown Wichita, KS. The plan was adopted in December 2010 and has served as the community's north arrow since then. The plan was founded on market economics with industry experts providing sound economic forecast information for commercial and residential development. Since then, the market potential in each of the real estate sectors has been frequently updated to ensure accurate and current data is available for development project due diligence. Downtown Wichita has helped foster over $1 billion in investment in the downtown core area since its adoption.
- The purpose of the Open on Main pop-up retail initiative is three-fold: increase activation and animation on Main Street; encourage more permanent occupation of empty and underutilized spaces in the downtown core; and allow shop owners to test retail concepts and strategies. The program requires negotiation with multiple owners and landlords to secure desired spaces and multiple potential tenants with conflicting needs and obligations. To date, Open on Main has an over 80% minority- and women-owned business enterprise participation level.
- Christian Martin, Executive Director, SoMa West Community Benefit District (San Francisco, CA)
- Jeff Fluhr, President, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (Wichita, KS)
- Brett Roler, Vice President of Planning and Development, Downtown Memphis Commission (Memphis, TN)
Domain:
- Planning, Design and Infrastructure
- Economic Development
- Hear from two projects that created vibrancy in the public space for employees in their community.
- The Golden Triangle BID installed 11 bioretention cells and 10 expanded tree boxes on the sidewalks of one of the neighborhood’s key streets. At over $1 million in construction costs and two full blocks of new green infrastructure, this is the largest capital improvement managed by the BID thus far. The new bioretention cells (aka 19th Street Rain Gardens) capture and treat 43,000 gallons of polluted stormwater per storm protecting the city’s streams and rivers. By building the new bioretention cells and expanded tree boxes, the BID converted 4,500 of concrete to new green space and added 33 trees and over 400 native plants.
- An innovative program in downtown Columbus, Ohio, stimulated commercial leasing, reduced employee turnover, doubled the use of transit among the pool of eligible employees, and prevented the emission of more than 6.8 million pounds of CO2 per year. Launched and funded by downtown property owners, Downtown C-pass allows eligible companies to offer free, unlimited transit to their employees. More than 440 companies take part in the program, including the 50 largest employers in the eligibility area. Over 15,000 employees are enrolled, representing half the eligible workforce of 30,000.
- Beth Anne Macdonald, Director of Planning and Community Development, Commercial District Services (Bloomfield, NJ)
- David Suls, Senior Director of Planning & Policy, Golden Triangle BID (Washington, DC)
- Marc Conte, Acting Director, SID Public Services (Columbus, OH)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- Join Master Talk speaker, Dana Telsey from the Telsey Advisory Group, for a live Q & A session to discuss topics featured in her presentation during IDA’s Tuesday October 6th Opening General Session.
- Tom Chin, Senior Managing Director / Head of Investment Banking and Consulting, Telsey Advisory Group (New York, NY)
- Dana Telsey, CEO and Chief Research Officer, Telsey Advisory Group (New York, NY)
Domain:
- Marketing, Communication and Events
- From closings and re-openings, to streeteries and social distancing guidelines, there's never been so much information that needs to be communicated. Join Geocentric for a brief discussion of what's working now, and how to plan for bringing people back to downtown.
- Jim Blakeslee, President & Founder, Geocentric (Bethesda, MD)
Description:
- No time to reinvent the wheel? Then check out the 2020 Downtown Achievement Awards! The International Downtown Association recognizes outstanding projects through the Downtown Achievement Awards which identify improvements to urban centers by dedicated organizations around the globe. These innovative projects set the new standard for improving cities worldwide. Visit IDA’s Virtual Marketplace to learn more about winning projects from IDA’s 2020 Downtown Achievement Awards sponsored by Grow with Google.
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- Hear from two projects about how they used innovative technology in their communities.
- Learn about data driven and predictive urban management and public safety. Working in partnership with global security service provider Securitas SA, the Voortrekker Road CID has built and managed its own centralised control centre through which all reporting is processed into a powerful response database. This database enables the VRCID to collate, analyse and respond immediately to security, urban cleansing and social development needs. Behavioural analytics can support predictive policing to track negative behaviour, proactively identify hotspots of criminal activity and respond quickly to events as they are happening on the ground. The project comprises a network of 72 cameras and a team of skilled public safety officers who are deployed to respond to incidents when reported.
- The DowntownDC BID worked with its contractor, Cube84, to integrate the BID’s Salesforce-based database with 311, the District of Columbia's non-emergency hotline. The BID works to monitor elements of public space such as sidewalks, streetlights and street signs to help ensure a state of good repair. The BID reports defects in the public space to 311 and works directly with city agencies to ensure repairs are made in a timely manner. The project has increased efficiency over 100 percent, and managing and reporting cases has never been easier.
- Andy Taft, President, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (Fort Worth, TX)
- Derek Bock, Chief Operations Officer, Voortrekker Road CID (Bellville, South Africa)
- Galin Brooks, Director of Infrastructure, DowntownDC BID Corporation (Washington, DC)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- Join Master Talk speaker, Jennifer Vey from the Brookings Institution, for a live Q & A session to discuss topics featured in her presentation during IDA’s Tuesday October 6th Opening General Session.
- Jennifer S. Vey, Senior Fellow and Director, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- Parklets are having a moment as park space becomes increasingly more valuable and communities are clamoring to reclaim harsh car-centric streetscape conditions. Generally defined as people-friendly spaces which introduce street furnishings (in street) curbside, parklets are providing respite and generating revenues in their communities. From small temporary weekend projects to permanent installations funded by local municipalities and business communities, come share or learn about how parklets of all kinds are thriving or seeking improvement.
- Wesley Brown, Director, Planning and Capital Projects, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) & Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) (Atlanta, GA)
- Maggie Hoey, Assistant Director, Tulsa Downtown Coordinating Council (Tulsa, OK)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- Downtown districts have developed strategic initiatives inviting visitors back downtown and to prepare for employees return to work. The path forward is not completely clear, when will workers return? The roundtable discussion will focus on what has been successful and the various plans and programs that are built to bring people back downtown in a clean and safe manner. Discuss with other attendees ways to best move ahead and take a leadership role preparing for a return.
- Martin Cramer, CPP , Vice President of Public Safety, Downtown Dallas Inc. (Dallas, TX)
- Marco Li Mandri, New City America, Inc (San Diego, CA)
- Dave Wardell, CPP, Vice President of Operations and Public Safety, Atlanta DID, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) (Atlanta, GA)
Description:
- A discussion with Block by Block, an industry leader working with over a hundred districts to deliver first class safety, hospitality and cleaning services.
Domain:
- Planning, Design, and Infrastructure
- CM | 1
- This session explores opportunities for BIDs to lead public and private stakeholders in developing a vision framework and capital plan to unlock the public realm for a more livable, competitive and dynamic downtown. Panelists will share tactical and permanent strategies to improve pedestrian safety; promote subway and bus use; create greener and more sustainable streets; and celebrate the district's identity.
- Explore new strategies to upgrade the streetscape and pedestrian experience in growing mixed-use downtowns.
- Understand public and private partnership opportunities to implement temporary/tactical and capital projects.
- Assess the feasibility and impact of capital planning for your business improvement districts.
- Fred Cerullo, President and CEO, Grand Central Partnership (New York, NY)
- Ed Janoff, Deputy Director/Chief of Staff, Union Square Partnership (New York, NY)
- Regina Myer, President, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (Brooklyn, NY)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- Homelessness is a challenge which does not discriminate based on region, culture, language or creed. It is a human challenge with complexities, which demand a detailed and thoughtful response. Urban place management organizations, while not social service or law enforcement, have been trying to find their role in providing help and balancing the needs of the individuals experiencing homelessness with the expectations of downtown businesses, residents, property owners and visitors. Learn about effective ways for BIDs to support communities in their efforts to find long-term solutions.
- Learn about the “One-at-a-Time” approach to help address homelessness.
- Understand how to turn ambassadors into an effective outreach support team.
- Discover how to connect and engage with local and regional resources to leverage make their BID and outreach times more efficient.
- Steve Hillard, Principal, Streetplus Company, LLC (Brooklyn, NY)
- Michael Edwards, President & CEO, Chicago Loop Alliance (Chicago, IL)
- Alexander Stettinski, Executive Director, Downtown Reno Partnership (Reno, NV)
- Camille Winnie, Community Services Specialist, Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance (Salt Lake City, UT)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- You’re already doing great work in your community and Grow with Google wants to help. Grow with Google helps people across the United States gain digital skills to grow their careers and businesses. Join us to learn how you can gain access to presentation materials, resources and hands-on help from Grow with Google’s team, all completely free of cost.
- Justine Benisch, Partner Marketing Manager, Grow with Google (New York City, NY)
Domain:
- Marketing, Communications and Events
- The most unique and successful sponsorships utilize available assets such as events, initiatives, infrastructure and more to deepen a connection with the target audiences. If a BID is innovative and nimble when developing the sponsorship strategy and activation, both the sponsor and the BID will win. A strong activation is defined by the way the brand/sponsor, assets and promotional levers are used together to drive results and tell a larger story. Join this session and learn about engaging potential and current sponsors and how this will position your organization to succeed.
- Brainstorm and activate sponsorships beyond event signage and logos.
- Use sponsorships to propel infrastructure and placemaking projects.
- Complement social services and initiatives through non-event sponsorships.
- • Adam Rhew, Chief of Staff, Charlotte Center City Partners (Charlotte, NC)
- Zack Matheny, President and CEO, Downtown Greensboro, Inc (Greensboro, NC)
- Robert Krumbine, Chief Creative Officer & SVP of Events, Charlotte Center City Partners (Charlotte, NC)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- Join fellow economic developers for facilitated small interactive group discussions on timely topics including business retention, the future of retail and real estate trends, all with an eye toward fostering healthy and equitable economies in your district.
- Jennifer Ball, Vice President, Planning and Economic Development, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) & Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) (Atlanta GA)
- Gavin Duffus, MPl, Economic Development Manager, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA) (Vancouver, BC)
- Brett Roler, AICP, Vice President of Planning & Development, Downtown Memphis Commission, (Memphis, TN)
- Nicole J. Thompson, President & CEO, Downtown Durham, Inc. (Durham, NC)
Domain:
- Organizational Management
- Join this roundtable discussion with fellow HR practitioners to discuss topics around employee relations, benefits and compensation, compliance, employee engagement, recruitment and learning and development. Bring your questions to enhance the conversation.
- Hollis Kam, Vice President, Human Resources, Times Square Alliance (New York, NY)
- Phi Nguyen, Director of Finance and Administration, Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership (Oklahoma City, OK)
- Monica Ybarra, Director, Human Resources, Downtown Seattle Association (Seattle, WA)
Wednesday 07 Oct 2020
Description:
- This virtual meeting is designed for new IDA members, those who want a refresher or nonmember attendees and is a great way to learn about IDA’s community while networking in a smaller setting. Learn about valuable resources and stay up-to-date on IDA products, programs and services. Seasoned IDA members and staff will be available to answer any questions about membership and benefits. Space is limited – add this meeting to your agenda today to reserve your spot! Can’t make the live meeting? Email the IDA Membership Team at customerservice@downtown.org with any questions. Or visit our YouTube channel to view the most recent "Member Benefits Explained" recording.
- Allison Shashok, Director of Membership & Marketing, International Downtown Association (Washington, DC)
- Rebecca Bishophall, Membership Services Manager, International Downtown Association (Washington, DC)
- Mary Miller, President and CEO, Downtown Norfolk Council and IDA Membership Committee Chair (Norfolk, VA)
- Kevin Green, President and CEO, Midtown Alliance (Atlanta, GA)
- Derreck Hughes, Vice President of Operations, Block by Block (Lousiville, KY)
- Andrew Peck, President and CEO, Glebe BIA (Ottawa, ON)
Description:
- IDA Master Talks present the industry's most engaging and innovative speakers. Join Wednesday’s general session to hear from Maurice A. Jones from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Carol Coletta from the Memphis River Parks Partnership.
- Maurice A. Jones
- Carol Coletta
Description:
- Meet up with other conference attendees one on one, schedule group gatherings or recharge between sessions. Renew friendships and expand your network of like-minded professionals!
Domain:
- Economic Development
- CM | 1
- How can the arts act as a catalyst for economic development? What are the factors that drive a vibrant arts sector? This session will explore how arts vibrancy evaluations can steer investments in economic development to improve lives and the economy. Join speakers as they discuss the economic contributions of the arts in diverse communities and study cases of the arts driving business development.
- Assess the extent to which the arts represent an engine for economic development in communities.
- Learn to improve and promote districts by building a brand as an arts destination.
- Understand how analysis and mapping of the city’s arts vibrancy can help identify where there are underserved parts of the community, and how investing in these areas can represent opportunities to improve economic and social outcomes.
- Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research and Policy, Americans for the Arts (Washington, DC)
- Tim Tompkins, President, Times Square Alliance (New York, NY)
- Dr. Zannie Voss, Director, SMU DataArts (Dallas, TX)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- In the face of increases in economic segregation, social isolation and distrust across the U.S., downtown leaders in Akron and Memphis see public space as a solution. Learn how practitioners in these two cities are pioneering new ways to staff and operate networks of civic assets that are truly welcoming to people of all backgrounds and cultivate civic trust.
- Describe trends impacting communities across the U.S. that are especially relevant to public space management.
- Compare approaches to staffing and management being used in two different cities to foster public spaces that are welcoming to all.
- Consider a set of principles and a measurement framework to apply to your own public space work.
- George Abbott, Director of External Affairs, Memphis River Parks Partnership (Memphis, TN)
- Greg Allen, River Parks Ranger, Memphis River Parks Partnership (Memphis, TN)
- Suzie Graham, President and CEO, Downtown Akron Partnership (Akron, OH)
Domain:
Description:
- Space is at a premium. The hospitality sector needs to expand outdoors to be viable due to new capacity constraints, pedestrians need to spread out to physically distance and the car continues to be viewed as a key mode of transport with public transit usage declining this year. How do we manage these conflicting interests? Who gets priority to use our roads? An ATCM survey suggests nearly two thirds of towns in the U.K. have implemented at least some pedestrianization to rebalance old priorities during the pandemic, but has caused anger and resentment in some quarters?
- Stefan Gurney, Executive Director, Norwich BID (Norwich, UK)
- Paul Kinvig, Chief Operating Officer, Bournemouth Town Centre BID (Bournemouth, UK)
- Alanna Coombs, PhD Student (Specializing in New Mobility), University of Southern California, (Los Angeles, CA)
Domain:
- Policy and Advocacy
- Recent actions in both Canada and the U.S. have brought systemic racism to forefront. Our business associations have an important role to play in addressing racism and discrimination. Panelists of this session will shed light on the issues and provide inspiration and motivation for us to initiate measures within our own organization and business community.
- Carolann Wright, Director, Capacity Building & Strategic Initiatives, African Nova Scotian Communities, Halifax Partnership (Halifax, NS)
- Kjeld Mizpah Conyers-Steede, Policy Advocate & Operations Manager, Spring Garden Area Business Association (Halifax, NS)
- Patty Cuttell, Executive Director, North End Business Association (Halifax, NS)
- Dr. Rustum Southwell, Executive Director, Black Business Initiative (Halifax, NS)
Domain:
- Marketing, Communications and Events
- Could you pick your marketing voice out in a crowd, or do you sound like every other BID in your city? From newsletters, to signage, website copy and annual meeting videos, stop taking yourself so seriously and start having fun! Using both case studies and the basic tenets of improv comedy, BID communications experts will help make the mundane memorable.
- Clearly define their brand voice (or lack thereof).
- Apply the key tenets of improv to their copywriting and marketing process.
- Identify opportunities to approach their editorial with humor, creativity and specificity.
- Lauren Boston, Communications Director, Georgetown BID (Washington, DC)
- Sydney Morris, Digital Media Rockstar, Hartford BID (Hartford, CT)
Description:
- The Marketplace provides an interactive environment for city leaders to learn about innovative products, new services and community programs. Attendees will be able to chat with industry-specific providers, setup meetings to learn more about a solution (invite your team), take a demo and fill your toolbox with case studies, tip sheets, best practices and more! Time is set aside in the agenda for you to explore the Marketplace so start preparing your RFPs.
Domain:
- Marketing, Communication and Events
- Downtown Long Beach will share insights from their journey of digital transformation; from what to keep in mind when choosing a CRM, through their implementation experience, they will share key lessons learned and advice for others considering embarking on a digital transformation.
- Kathryn McKissick, Customer Success Manager, Cube84 (Arlington, VA)
- Austin Metoyer, Economic Development & Policy Manager, Downtown Long Beach Alliance (Long Beach, CA)
Domain:
- Marketing, Communications and Events
- Today’s marketing professionals must create their own content to reach wider audiences and gain deeper interest in their brands. This session will identify the basic components of creating a content strategy plan. Panelists will offer a variety of approaches to content creation, including sharing successes and failures. Participants will examine what content model approaches might work best for their district.
- Identify the basic components of a content strategy plan and how to create one.
- Discover a variety of approaches to content creation, including shared successes and failures.
- Examine what content model approaches might work best for your district.
- Ariella Gibson, Marketing & Communications Assistant, Chicago Loop Alliance (Chicago, IL)
- Kiana DiStasi, Marketing Director, Chicago Loop Alliance (Chicago, IL)
- Tiffany Faublas, Marketing Director, West Palm Beach Downtown DDA (West Palm Beach, FL)
- Tiffany Tauscheck, Chief Strategy Officer, Greater Des Moines Partnership (Des Moines, IA)
Domain:
- Planning, Design and Infrastructure
- CM | 1
- 2020 may be the year that tested our fortitude more than any other in a generation. Beyond COVID, it seems that downtowns everywhere have become the epicenter for other shocks such as environment damage, economic impacts and social unrest. Join the conversation as we explore how communities in different contexts have responded to various shocks to their system and how they built back stronger.
- Understand the scope of potential shocks that every downtown must be prepared to address.
- Take home valuable lessons learned from case studies about how various downtowns address social, economic and environmental shocks.
- Learn about other tools and programs that can help their community prepare for future shocks.
- Craig Lewis FAICP, LEED AP, CNU-A, Principal, North American Co-Leader - Urban Places Planning & Urban Design (Charlotte, NC)
- Steve Cramer, President & CEO, Minneapolis Downtown Council (Minneapolis, MN)
- David Fleming, Executive Director, REV Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)
- Annie MacInnis, Executive Director, Kensington Business Revitalization Zone (Calgary, AB)
- Jennifer Oswalt, President, Downtown Memphis Commission (Memphis, TN)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- The 'social business economy' and 'experience economy' are at the mercy of the pandemic. Arts, culture, events, hospitality, leisure, commercial, entertainment, international tourism and other sectors which bring people together face an existential threat under physical distancing. The future of our town centres, city centres and downtowns were reliant on these sectors providing stability and footfall where a changing retail landscape could not. So, we ask, is this the end of the future we had mapped out for urban economies? Do we need to go through the process of reimagination again?
- Lisa Carlson, Chief Executive Officer, Canterbury BID (Canterbury, UK)
- Joseph Baconnet, BID Director, Stratforward BID (Stratford upon Avon, UK)
- Amy Lamé, Night Czar, Office of the Mayor of London (London, UK)
- Keith Pullinger, Deputy Chairman & Founder, The Light Cinema (London, UK)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- Public safety reforms can be a polarizing conversation, but it is not one we should avoid. Rather, we should face the challenge, embrace the conversation and look at alternatives to providing safety. When we do so, we will find a plethora of programs that address the problems our urban districts face. Please join us as we explore three unique programs addressing sobriety and diversion, mental health and reducing violence by using disease control and behavior methods.
- Matt Macioge, Director of Operations, Downtown Austin Alliance (Austin, TX)
- Tim Black, Director of Consulting, White Bird Clinic (Eugene, OR)
- Laura E. Sovine, LMSW-AP, Executive Director, Austin-Travis County Sobriety Center LGC, The Sobering Center (Austin, TX)
Domain:
- Policy and Advocacy
- Discuss the legislative issues facing California and its downtown communities with California Downtown Association (CDA) board members and lobbyist Jason Bryant. Learn how CDA advocated for its members in 2020 to ensure urban place management organizations and their interests are represented at the state capitol.
- Jason Bryant, Advocate for the California Downtown Association (Sacramento, CA)
- Emilie Cameron, Public Affairs & Communications Director, Downtown Sacramento (Sacramento, CA)
- Suzanne Holley, President & CEO, Downtown Center BID (DCBID) (Los Angeles, CA)
Description:
- The Marketplace provides an interactive environment for city leaders to learn about innovative products, new services and community programs. Attendees will be able to chat with industry-specific providers, setup meetings to learn more about a solution (invite your team), take a demo and fill your toolbox with case studies, tip sheets, best practices and more! Time is set aside in the agenda for you to explore the Marketplace so start preparing your RFPs.
- Grow with Google, GrowthZone, Desert Planters, Geocentric, Landscape Forms, BannerSaver, Creos, Stantec and Cube84
Domain:
- Policy and Advocacy
- CM | 1
- The IDA Vitality Index has now grown to more than 50 downtowns from across the US, including downtowns in the 25 largest cities. This session will introduce the latest trends on economy, inclusion and vibrancy downtown and feature a panel discussion highlighting what was expected and what was most surprising.
- Describe the key metrics for discussing downtown vitality.
- Share new trends in downtown vitality.
- Use the Vitality Index to compare their district to peers.
- Brian Douglas Scott, Ph.D. Principal, BDS Planning & Urban Design (Seattle, WA)
- Michael Deemer, Executive Vice President for Business Development, Downtown Cleveland Alliance (Cleveland, OH)
- David Dixon FAIA, Vice President, Stantec Urban Places Fellow (Boston, MA)
- Mary B. Miller, President & CEO, Downtown Norfolk Council (Norfolk, VA)
Domain:
- Policy and Advocacy
- CM | 1
- With the urban renaissance of the last two decades, many downtowns are now bordered by districts that have evolved either into extensions and/or competitors to the traditional core. In this session, panelists will explore the ways in which UPMOs have been addressing this phenomenon through the three 'lenses' of retail, connectivity and equity, while also placing it within the context of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and other current events.
- Understand the dynamics between the traditional core and adjacent districts, including where interests overlap and where they differ.
- Learn how the traditional core and adjacent districts can coexist and synergize with one another.
- Grasp the equity and inclusivity dimension of core expansion into nearby neighborhoods.
- Michael Berne, President, MJB Consulting (Berkeley, CA and New York, NY)
- Elizabeth Burt, Director of Placemaking and Programming, Centro San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)
- Yvette Freeman, Senior Strategist, Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA) (Denver, CO)
Domain:
- Marketing, Communications and Events
- In a world of packed calendars, dizzying social feeds and overflowing email inboxes—on top a global pandemic, no less—how can districts successfully deliver messaging, reach their target audiences and negotiate the needs of stakeholders who want district support in “getting the word out?” Speakers from communities large and small, share hands-on, proven tactics of how to strategically marry audience, channel and results.
- Thoughtfully respond to internal and external stakeholders in need of communications support with solutions that meet needs without compromising the integrity of communication channels.
- Utilize voices/channels within home communities to amplify, share and champion district content to reach a larger audience and drive engagement.
- Build a menu of “promotional opportunities” that reinforce channel identities and add value to membership, community partnerships and public engagement.
- Nicole Fincher, Marketing and Special Projects Manager, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (Fort Worth, TX)
- Paige Sullivan, Marketing Manager, Central Atlanta Progress, (Atlanta, GA)
- Rudy Vasquez, Marketing and Communications Manager, El Paso Downtown Management District (El Paso, TX)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- This year has been unlike any other and essential workers in the operations realm had to adapt quickly to unprecedented challenges, often directly on the front lines. If you’re doing things you never thought you’d be doing, then we want to hear about it! Join your fellow Operations colleagues in an open-forum discussion where you will have an opportunity to share your wildest experiences and hear how your colleagues have adapted as well. This is a safe space and a judgement free zone! If your ears perk up when you hear words like service requests, maintenance plans, and emergency preparedness, then you’ll be right at home in this break-out session designed specifically for Operations professionals.
- Joe Gudenrath, Executive Director, El Paso Downtown Management District (El Paso, TX)
- Gerren Price, Director of Public Space Operations, DowntownDC BID (Washington, DC)
- Samantha Jackson, Sr. Director of Strategy & Community Affairs, Downtown Phoenix Partnership (Phoenix, AZ)
Description:
- Beyond theory or speculation, COVID has affected how we communicate with our clients, stakeholders and communities. Achieving stakeholder support should not be the thing that keeps your projects from becoming a reality. Stantec has employed a range of virtual public engagement tools that now seem more important than ever, from Storymaps and mobile apps for projects to GIS based interactive maps. In this service advisory, our team will discuss tools used for digital community engagement and virtual team meetings and share take-aways from experience during the pandemic.
- Amanda Morrell, Landscape Architect, Stantec’s Urban Places (Charlotte, NC)
- Beth Elliott, Senior Urban Planner, Stantec’s Urban Places (Minneapolis, MN)
Description:
- Enjoy some fun at the end of the day with our friends at MIG. You’ll learn how to make a specialty cocktail from a mixer extraordinaire, then sip your drink in small groups. After greetings and conversation, you’ll learn how to make another beverage and go into a different small group for more mingling! Be on the lookout for your ingredient list.
- Cocktails & Mocktails Reception sponsored by MIG
Thursday 08 Oct 2020
Description:
- IDA Master Talks present the industry's most engaging and innovative speakers. Join Thursday's closing general session to hear from Lateefah Simon, from the Akonadi Foundation, and Bruce Katz, from the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University.
- Bruce Katz, Founding Director, Nowak Metro Finance Lab, Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
- Lateefah Simon, President, Akonadi Foundation (Oakland, CA)
Description:
- Meet up with other conference attendees one on one, schedule group gatherings or recharge between sessions. Renew friendships and expand your network of like-minded professionals!
Description:
- The pandemic hit downtowns extremely hard in mid-March of this year. With shelter-in-place orders, businesses closures and as much as a 90% decrease in pedestrian traffic, downtowns had to adjust their programs.
- Steve Hillard, President and Principal, Streetplus (Brooklyn, NY)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- CM | 1
- Americans don’t go to Paris to hang out with other Americans. Discover how doubling down on your unique assets —especially in light of COVID’s impact— can yield surprising results when harnessed with the marketing and financial resources associated with a too often overlooked partner: your local Destination Management Organization (DMO). Join this discussion to learn more about DMOs and how partnership can enhance your economic development efforts.
- Discover how assessments can help overcome the “sensory” fatigue that prevent local stakeholders from a clear-eyed understanding of challenges and weaknesses.
- Gain strategies for building alliances with the tourism industry and steps to set the stage for growth in the visitor economy.
- Explore examples and inspiration of downtown-focused tourism initiatives.
- Josh Collins, Director, Destination Activation + Marketing, Streetsense (Bethesda, MD)
- Larisa Ortiz, Managing Director, Research + Analysis, Streetsense (New York, NY)
Domain:
- Organizational Management
- Hear from place management leaders about what it means and what it takes to add a charitable 501(c)(3), foundation, trust or similar entity to your organization’s structure. Learn how a charitable organization can be leveraged as a new, innovative enterprise for your downtown to support its projects and initiatives and an added source of support during challenging times.
- Strategically assess and identify how a charitable organization can be an integral part of the success of downtown vision, mission, goals and initiatives.
- Discover your "why” by providing answers to what purpose a charitable organization will serve for your downtown organization/ Learn how to develop new leadership and how to raise money.
- Discuss organizational issues and the first steps in creating and standing up a foundation or similar organization during a period of great challenge and uncertainty.
- Molly Alexander, Executive Director, Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation (Austin, TX)
- Rachel Rose Hartman, Executive Director, DowntownDC Foundation (Washington, DC)
Domain:
- Policy and Advocacy
- CM | 1
- Join IDA's Inclusive Places Council (IPC) to explore specific actions place management organizations can take to advance equitable development and racial justice within the industry and in the cities where we work. Hear from a panel of experts and practitioners about the work they’ve done and the challenges they’ve faced around equity and inclusion in the place management field.
- Explore strategies to advance equity and inclusion internally within an organization and across the industry.
- Develop a deeper understanding of the legacy of racism and how it impacts the work today.
- Define what a more inclusive place management industry will look like in 2030 and how we can collectively promote equitable development.
- Rodney C Burris, Leadership Development Consultant, DowntownDC BID (Washington, DC)
- Ishmael Nuñez, Project Manager, BDS Planning (Seattle, WA)
- Eddie Romero. Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, Centro San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)
Domain:
- Policy and Advocacy
- Increasingly groups of IDA members are activating or forming local, regional and national associations to advocate for meaningful public policy. Join representatives from the NYC BID Association, California Downtown Association and the IDA Canada Leadership Group to discuss how they set a policy agenda, take positions on behalf of their members and communicate with elected leaders directly or through coalitions. This roundtable will openly share how you can be active in public policy and how valuable the voice of business can be to city hall and the capital.
- Patricia Barnes, Executive Director, Hastings North BIA (Vancouver, BC)
- Robert Benfatto, President, Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance (New York, NY)
- David Downey, President and CEO, International Downtown Association (Washington, DC)
- Andrew Thomas, Executive Director, Westwood Village Improvement Association (Los Angeles, CA)
Description:
- The rise of work from home and the fall of public transport appear to be creating a toxic mix for cities. The very places that were resilient to the great recession of 2008 are struggling now with post-lockdown recovery slower in cities than in smaller conurbations. How do we support cities through this crisis? Is it too soon to start talk of reimagining the role of our cities as regional economic hubs? Or can cities emerge from the ruins of COVID-19 relatively unchanged?
- Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive, Leeds BID (Leeds, UK)
- Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance (London, UK)
- Richard Guiney, Chief Executive Officer, Dublin Town (Dublin, Ireland)
Description:
- The Marketplace provides an interactive environment for city leaders to learn about innovative products, new services and community programs. Attendees will be able to chat with industry-specific providers, setup meetings to learn more about a solution (invite your team), take a demo and fill your toolbox with case studies, tip sheets, best practices and more! Time is set aside in the agenda for you to explore the Marketplace so start preparing your RFPs.
- Grow with Google, GrowthZone, Desert Planters, Geocentric, Landscape Forms, BannerSaver, Creos, Stantec and Cube84
Domain:
- Economic Development
- CM | 1
- The affordable housing crisis is forcing downtown workers to live farther and farther away, reducing our competitiveness as a jobs center. Downtown organizations are in a unique position —due to our skills, partners, constituencies and clout— to take a leadership role in creating workforce housing. Come hear creative examples that you could implement in your community.
- See a path forward for a downtown/commercial district organization to effectively be a catalyst for the creation of workforce housing.
- Use the project examples presented as a starting point for developing their own programs.
- Gabriel Grant, Principal, Spectrum Development Solutions (Seattle, WA)
- Kate Joncas, Director of Urban Strategy and Development, MIG (Seattle, WA)
- Andy Taft, President and CEO, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (Fort Worth, TX)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- CM | 1
- Downtowns and main streets across North America will need all the help they can get when it comes to small business recovery. As a small business lender for more than 25 years and as a provider of economic development advisory services for more than 50 years, the National Development Council will provide a hands-on small business tutorial in two parts: what can cities do right now to get low-cost, patient capital to its small business community; and how cities can lay the groundwork for a robust small business community moving forward from rescue to stabilization to revitalization.
- Hear about newly created COVID-response small business lending and grant programs and how they work.
- • Learn how to tailor small business lending programs by using the best practices and technical assistance NDC is providing in New York, Seattle, Dallas and other areas around the United States.
- Gain insight into future challenges and resources as cities face dramatic shifts in the small business landscape, from revitalizing struggling commercial corridors to assembling capital for new and repurposed space.
- Lisa Chamberlain, Communications Consultant, Strategies for City Builders (Brooklyn, NY)
- Ann M. Finnegan , Director at National Development Council and President of NDC’s Community Impact Loan Fund (Albany, NY)
- KC George, Field Director, National Development Council (New York, NY)
Domain:
- Leadership Development
- In 2019, eight place-management groups in the Boston area —from BIDs to main streets to conservancies— began a year-long journey of leadership development, capacity building and learning from one another. In a region grappling with environmental resilience and social inequity, this cohort of place managers is working together to make and keep public places vibrant, creative and inclusive.
- Identify and implement frameworks for racial and economic equity in place management.
- Develop capacity-building and learning approaches in partnership with philanthropy, policy, academic and community stakeholders.
- Recognize the role and responsibility of place managers in equitable, inclusive and vibrant communities.
- Philip Barash, Fellow, The Boston Foundation (Brookline, MA)
- Tania Anderson, Executive Director, Bowdoin Geneva Main Streets (Boston, MA)
- Michael Monestime, Executive Director, Central Square BID (Cambridge, MA)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- Urban place management organizations around the would have faced many challenges during 2020. Many districts have seen significant protest activity as many around the world speak up against inequality and for social change. This session will discuss coordination and communication lessons learned from Minneapolis and Washington, DC. No one city has all the answers in how best to prepare and respond, so this session will also feature time to learn from each other. Bring the lessons you’ve learned in your downtown to help us all be more resilient and prepared for whatever we might face next. We’ve got this!
- Shane Zahn, Director of Safety Initiatives, Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (Minneapolis, MN)
- Pat Powell, Senior Director of Operations and Preparedness, Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, (Washington, DC)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- Has the pandemic paused your district's placemaking and public events or have you been able to adjust to the new realities of physical-distancing and face-coverings? This roundtable conversation will focus on sharing new ideas and necessary innovations for pandemic-era placemaking and public events.
- Chad Emerson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (Huntsville, AL)
- Rachel Radawec, Placemaking and Community Engagement Manager, Tampa Downtown Partnership (Tampa, FL)
Description:
- The Marketplace provides an interactive environment for city leaders to learn about innovative products, new services and community programs. Attendees will be able to chat with industry-specific providers, setup meetings to learn more about a solution (invite your team), take a demo and fill your toolbox with case studies, tip sheets, best practices and more! Time is set aside in the agenda for you to explore the Marketplace so start preparing your RFPs.
Domain:
- Marketing, Communications and Events
- Social media influencers can be a powerful link between your district and your target audiences. Successful influencer partnerships must be authentic, relational and adaptive. Three case studies – Tampa, Milwaukee and Tempe – will demonstrate distinct models of district-specific influencing. Tactics at varied budget levels will be explored. Return to your district able to identify or expand upon influencer opportunities.
- Identify potential influencer relationships in your district.
- Develop tactics to integrate influencers into existing events and marketing strategies.
- Evaluate the success of influencer partnerships.
- Ashly Anderson, Director of Marketing and Design, Tampa Downtown Partnership (Tampa, FL)
- Erica Chang, Marketing, Events & Social Media Director, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 (Milwaukee, WI)
- Jazmine Reyes, Marketing & Communications Manager, Downtown Tempe Authority (Tempe, AZ)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- The evening and night-time economies find themselves under pressure. This key part of urban life and culture is vulnerable economically due to the impacts of COVID-19. This session will ask if Purple Flag, an international accreditation focused at creating a gold standard in urban place management after dark and its origins in public health can support the reimagining of night-life to bring people back together again, safely.
- Sylvia Oates, Director, Six Till Six (Nottingham, UK
- Gill Plume, Purple Flag Coordinator, Dominion Road Business Association (Auckland, New Zealand)
- Lena Dalerup, CEO, Inner City Gothenburg Partnership (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Domain:
- Economic Development
- CM | 1
- Learn how to build out your research program beginning with the basic State of Downtown to more advanced reports such as a Development Activity Report and COVID response report. With a strong research program, UPMOs will become the go-to expert in their downtown. This expert status with help shape your brand and serve your members. Come away with a realistic plan to build a robust research program given budget, staff and time constraints.
- Determine benchmarking needs for your BID and the importance of accurate research.
- Prioritize your data needs and understand the power of data to build your reach and impact.
- Learn how to access free and innovative data to collect downtown metrics.
- Emily Brett, Senior Manager, Economic Development, Downtown Denver Partnership (Denver, CO)
- Claudia Freeland Jolin, Vice President, Economic Development, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc. (Baltimore, MD)
Domain:
- Public Space Management and Operations
- The COVID-19 pandemic and public protests have put additional pressure on clean and safe teams to consider higher levels of cleanliness and safety unlike anything they have dealt with before. Join this roundtable with operations professionals to discuss keeping frontline staff and the public realm clean, safe and healthy.
- Amy Geren, Program Director, Portland Downtown (Portland, ME)
- Vince Martinez, AICP, Senior Manager, Downtown Operations, Downtown Denver Partnership (Denver, CO)
Description:
- Three years ago, after great encouragement by six Canadian Board members, IDA generously funded the BIA/BID/BIZ/SDC community of Canada with sufficient funds to create IDA Canada. Its mandate was to draw over 500+ associations together to speak with a clear and united voice to Ottawa about issues and opportunities of importance to BIAs across the country. Please join IDA Canada for a report about progress made and a discussion about the next steps. This will be an open-forum discussion.
- Kay Matthews, Executive Director, OBIAA (Toronto, ON)
- Ken Kelly, IDA Canada (Halifax, NS)
Description:
- Join the Tampa Downtown Partnership for a virtual sunset stroll and celebration to close out the 2020 Annual Conference & Marketplace. Enjoy a taste of the 2021 conference location, which is home to the Cuban sandwich, cutting-edge breweries, trophy-winning sports teams and the beautiful Tampa Riverwalk.
Sponsors
Thought Leaders Circle
Presenting Awards Partner
City Builders
Place Enhancers
Exhibitors
Fill your toolbox with private sector tips and product demos. Please plan to spend time visiting each industry provider and enjoy a sneak peek of the companies participating.
Learn MoreInterested in Sponsoring?
Gain access to an audience of urban leaders from around the country who want to learn about your product or service.
Interested in Hosting?
If you are interested in hosting a future event, contact Carolyn Dellutri, IDA Director of Professional Development.
Questions?
For assistance or further information, please contact the IDA registration team.
