Events
About the 2023 World Town Leadership Summit
IDA’s World Town Leadership Summit convenes place management leaders from around the globe in a small group setting to explore key city building issues and learn how different countries and cultures address these challenges in their context. A diverse cohort of attendees will be enlightened by key research and inspired presentations, all aimed at initiating deep discussions while exploring real-world professional practice challenges using the world café discussion format. This facilitated summit develops a comprehensive graphic synopsis of the group’s discussion.
This summit is a fantastic way to visit new towns outside of North America and appreciate how different customs, cultures, politics and economics impact the work of place management. In the past, attendees simultaneously found themselves to be teachers, mentors and students. This year’s World Towns Leadership Summit will take place 11 – 14 July 2023 in London, Manchester and York, England.
Conference Details
The 2023 World Towns Leadership Summit will be held in London, Manchester and York, England. This event is brought to you by IDA and ATCM and co-hosted with HoLBA, CityCo and The York BID.
Cancellation Policy: Written notice of cancellation is required. Cancellations received via email by 5 June 2023 will receive a refund less a $100 processing fee. Cancellations received via email after 5 June 2023 will not be refunded. Refunds will be processed approximately 30 days after the event. Please send the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association by emailing registration@downtown.org.
Substitutions: Substitutions of registrations are gladly accepted prior to the event start date. Please submit a written request to registration@downtown.org before Thursday, 6 July 2023 at 3 pm ET to complete your substitution. Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant and must be transferred to an individual in your organization. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for all financial obligations (any balance due) associated with that substitution.
Payment Methods: For your convenience, payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Should you need to pay by check or ACH, you will not be able to complete registration online. Please email registration@downtown.org for assistance.
Outstanding Balance: Please note, if you have an outstanding balance for this event, you will not receive your badge on-site or be allowed to attend tours until payment is received. Please contact registration@downtown.org prior to your arrival on-site to pay your outstanding balance.
By registering you are agreeing to IDA’s Event Agreement and Code of Conduct and IDA Attendee Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release Form.
View hotel recommendations for London and Manchester by clicking here.
Attendees may choose to fly into London for the activities on 11 July 2023 and travel by train to Manchester Picadilly. To view train schedules and to purchase tickets, please visit www.thetrainline.com. Attendees are welcome to fly directly into Manchester and join the group for the meetings starting on 12 July 2023. Attendees opting to go to York on 14 July 2023 can view train schedules and purchase tickets here: www.thetrainline.com, and depart from the city of their choosing (Manchester or London) on 15 July 2023.
Restaurant Suggestions from CityCo for Manchester:
Rosso/ Pizzeria De La Michel/ Franco Manca/ Rudy’s – Pizza
Hawksmoor – Steak
Dishoom – Indian
Schofields Bar/ Stock Exchange Hotel Bar – Cocktails
El Gato Negro/ Tast – Spanish
Higher Ground – Small Plates, Locally Sourced
10 Tib Lane – Small Plates, Locally Sourced
Climat – Roof Top, Wine, Small Plates, Locally Sourced
The Sparrows – V cool venue.. in a railway arch
Tom’s and Sam’s Chop Houses – Traditional British
KALA – Bistro
Chinatown – Asian flavours
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. If you are having trouble accessing an IDA offering, or have a question regarding session accessibility features, please contact IDA at registration@downtown.org for assistance.
Preview the schedule-at-a-glance below (specific times are subject to change). The program will be updated in the coming weeks. Please note, all times listed are British Summer Time (BST).
Conference Program
- Tuesday 11 Jul 2023
- Wednesday 12 Jul 2023
- Thursday 13 Jul 2023
- Friday 14 Jul 2023
Tuesday 11 Jul 2023
- English National Opera House, St Martin's Ln, London WC2N 4ES, United Kingdom Description: Learn about current tourism trends, back to office challenges and small business support. Tour in Central London with the Heart of London Business Alliance, including stops at the National Portrait Gallery, Arts Quarter, Piccadilly Circus and more!
- *Meet at outside front doors of English National Opera House, no later than 9:45 a.m. This is an indoor and outdoor walking tour; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection and possible rain attire based on the weather. Please ensure you have breakfast prior to the meeting.
- Learn about current tourism trends, back to office challenges and small business support.
- NEON 194, Function Room, 194 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9LN, United Kingdom
- NEON 194, Function Room, 194 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9LN, United Kingdom Description: Learn about current tourism trends, back to office challenges and small business support.
- David Downey, President & CEO, International Downtown Association
- Ros Morgan, CEO, HoLBA
- Jessica Lappin, President, Alliance for Downtown New York
- Paul Clement, Executive Director & Sophie Alexander, Executive Director Ipswich BID
- Chaired by David Downey, President & CEO, International Downtown Association
Description:
- Travel from London to Manchester or arrive direct into Manchester. Manchester is a 2.2-hour train ride from London.
Wednesday 12 Jul 2023
- CityCo & Manchester BID, Ground Floor, Lloyd’s House, 18-22 Lloyd St, Manchester M2 5WA, United Kingdom
- Explore the Heart of Manchester BID, which includes major sports, entertainment and events programming along with unique property owner collaborations for retailing, immersive gaming and establishing a new tourism improvement district. *Please ensure you have breakfast prior to the meeting. Meet at outside front doors of CityCo & Manchester BID, no later than 9:00 a.m. This is an indoor and outdoor walking tour; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection and possible rain attire based on the weather. * Please ensure you have breakfast prior to the meeting.
- Coordinated by Hayley Flynn, Placemaking Co-ordinator, Bruntwood Works.
- CityCo & Manchester BID, 3rd Floor, Lloyd’s House, 18-22 Lloyd St, Manchester M2 5WA, United Kingdom
- (The entrance is opposite the Heron House register office on Lloyd Street, at entrance 22. Upon entering the building, next to the elevator/lift, there will be a bus stop sign with “IDA” and the floor. Take the lift / stairs up to the 3rd floor and we are on the right. Press the intercom for CityCo)
- David Downey, President & CEO, International Downtown Association
- Paul R. Levy, President, Center City District (Philadelphia, PA, U.S.)
- Phil Schulze, BID Manager, Heart of Manchester BID, Alex King-Byatt, Partnership Director, CityCo Manchester
- Discuss issues such as inflation, cost of living, business viability, city centre transformation, homelessness, climate change, crime, diversity, inclusion and more.
- Discussing the vision of what our towns and cities need to look like a decade from now.
- Vincenzo Trattoria, 34 St Ann St, Manchester M2 7LE, United Kingdom
Thursday 13 Jul 2023
- CityCo & Manchester BID, 3rd Floor, Lloyd’s House, 18-22 Lloyd St, Manchester M2 5WA, United Kingdom (The entrance is opposite the Heron House register office on Lloyd Street, at entrance 22. Upon entering the building, next to the elevator/lift, there will be a bus stop sign with “IDA” and the floor. Take the lift / stairs up to the 3rd floor and we are on the right. Press the intercom for CityCo
- * Please ensure you have breakfast prior to the meeting. Coffee and tea service will be provided.
- Can the industry meet the future needs of our cities? What new models of place management will be needed? These sessions and roundtables will discuss new and diverse models of place management necessary to meet the future needs of our cities and communities.
- Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive, ATCM
- Lisa Carlson, CEO, Canterbury BID and Chair of ATCM
- Charlie Langhorne, Founder, Wild in Art – Sponsor of the Day
- Ojay McDonald, CEO, ATCM
- Rozina Spinnoy, Founder & Director, BIDs Belgium
- Ojay McDonald, CEO, ATCM
- William Ginestier, Camden Town Unlimited
- Ojay McDonald, CEO, ATCM
- Gianluca Rizzo, CEO, Brixton BID
- Ojay McDonald, CEO, ATCM & David Downey,David Downey, President & CEO, International Downtown Association
- Prompt A: What does an International Network Look Like? Discussing how the global place management industry can best share experiences and advance the professional collectively.
- Prompt B: Summary and Conclusions – round the room inquiry of top ideas and key lessons learned across the Summit.
- Social Gathering TBD by ATCM
Friday 14 Jul 2023
Meeting Location:
- Manchester Piccadilly Station
- Travel from Manchester to York with the group on the 08:30 am train arriving in York at 10:04 am. York is approximately a 1.5-hour train ride from Manchester. Please arrive by 8:00 am to meet the group. Purchase your train ticket at the link above.
- York Explore Library and Archive, Marriott Room, Ground Floor, Library Square, Museum Street, York YO1 7DS, United Kingdom
- Explore the York BID and discuss how to leverage culture and heritage for the visitor economy, addressing policing and security, local resident/visitor conflict and the nighttime economy. Enjoy lunch at a local venue, followed by roundtable discussions with your peers on the above topics.
- *Meet at York Explore Library and Archive, Marriott Room Ground Floor, no later than 10:30 a.m. This is an indoor and outdoor walking tour; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection and possible rain attire based on the weather. Coffee and tea service will be provided prior to the tour.
- Chopping Block at Walmgate Ale House, First Floor, 25 Walmgate, York YO1 9TX, United Kingdom
Travel:
- Travel back to London (King’s Cross Station) or Manchester for your departure city of choice. Or stay and enjoy York on your own!
Interested In Membership?
IDA empowers members with knowledge, research and public policies.
Interested In Hosting?
If you are interested in hosting a future event, contact Lul Teklit, IDA’s Meeting Planner.
Questions?
For assistance or further information, please contact the IDA registration team.
