Events
About the 2024 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 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. The event is held using the world café discussion format. The overarching theme will delve into the critical role of effective mixed-use district development in fostering economic stability within a post-pandemic landscape. Discussions will focus on the importance of three equally necessary city centre users: the worker, resident, and visitor.
This summit is a fantastic way to visit new towns around the globe 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 10–13 June 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden and will include a full-day study tour in the town of Uppsala.
Conference Details
The 2024 World Towns Leadership Summit will be held in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. This event is brought to you by IDA and Svenska Stadskarnor.
Stockholm is the capital and Sweden’s most populous city with over 970,000 inhabitants. The vision of Stockholm city includes three target areas: a diverse metropolis for everyone, a sustainably growing and dynamic city, and a smart and innovative metropolis. The city, which is located on 14 islands in Lake Mälaren, is known for its beauty, history and culture. It is a popular tourist destination with many attractions, including the Old Town, the Vasa Museum and Skansen.
The Old Town is Stockholm’s oldest district and was founded in the 13th century. Here you can wander around the cobbled streets and admire the colorful houses. The Old Town is home to many historical buildings, including the Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum. You will also find many shops, restaurants and cafes here. The Vasa Museum is a must for anyone visiting Stockholm. Here you can see the warship Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. The Vasa was salvaged in 1961 and now has its own museum. Skansen is a unique attraction that combines a zoo, an open-air museum, and a view of Stockholm. Here you can see animals from all over Sweden, learn about traditional Swedish rural life and enjoy a fantastic view of Stockholm. For more information, visit www.visitstockholm.com.
The in-room conference sessions are being generously hosted by Vasakronan, the largest property company in Sweden, at their brand-new conference center, Sergelkonferensen. Vasakronan is a key partner for this program, having finalized several very interesting projects in the heart of Stockholm city center.
On Friday, we’re offering an optional tour of Brussels, a city pioneering climate action. Dive into their innovative Smart City program with a focus on Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and learn how they’re tackling climate change. Gain a deeper understanding of Brussels’ unique character and its role as the heart of the EU from Dr. Philippe Van Parijs, a renowned professor. Explore the recently pedestrianized Brussels center, a vibrant public space located in front of the former Stock Exchange building. While the Brussels Beer World itself has an entrance fee, we’re exploring the possibility of a private tour arranged by the City (details to be confirmed). We’re also investigating a potential tour of the Tour & Taxis area, a massive project focused on sustainable communities spearheaded by Extensa, RB Management, and IRET development. This area exemplifies innovative urban planning.
Registration is now open for the 2024 World Towns Leadership Summit. In order to register for the Summit, you need to either have an account in IDA’s database or you must create one. If you previously registered for an event in the past, you should have an account in the new database. All below prices are USD.
- Regular Registration Rate until Monday, 6 May 2024: $395. The fee includes the conference, 2 lunches, and a welcome reception. Please see hotel recommendations information below; these costs are at the attendee’s expense.
- Late Registration Rate until Tuesday, 28 May 2024: $475. The fee includes the conference, 2 lunches, and a welcome reception. Please see hotel recommendations information below; these costs are at the attendee’s expense.
- Spouse / Guest Rate: $175 (includes all Summit activities).
- Optional Uppsala Study Tour: additional $90 per person (includes the cost of the train).
- The Optional City Tour to Brussels, Belgium is not included in the registration fee. Attendees will be responsible for covering their own travel and expenses. Please RSVP for this tour when you register for the Summit.
Cancellation Policy: Written notice of cancellation is required. Cancellations received via email by 6 May 2024 will receive a refund less a $100 processing fee. Cancellations received via email after 6 May 2024 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 June 2024 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.
Please see below a list of hotels in, but not limited to, Stockholm. Please book your room of your own at your earliest convenience, as hotels can sell out over time.
Attendees may choose to fly into Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).
The trip to Uppsala is a short train to and from Stockholm. The registration fee for the optional Study Tour to Uppsala will include the ticket for the train to and from Stockholm.
Attendees will be responsible for covering their own travel and expenses for the Optional City Tour to Brussels, Belgium. Please RSVP for this tour when you register for the Summit. Attendees joining for the optional tour to Brussels on Friday will want to fly into Brussels Airport (BRU).
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 Central European Time (CET).
Conference Program
- Monday 10 Jun 2024
- Tuesday 11 Jun 2024
- Wednesday 12 Jun 2024
- Thursday 13 Jun 2024
- Friday 14 Jun 2024
Monday 10 Jun 2024
Tuesday 11 Jun 2024
- Sergelkonferenesen, Mäster Samuelsgatan 42, 111 57 Stockholm, Sweden
- Mixed Use Urban Centers: Begin the Summit by meeting new colleagues across the world and embark on discussion of place management in each participating country. Opening presentations will illustrate the economic imperative of center city development which provides for residents, workers, and visitors alike. Compelling presentations on challenges facing most every urban center across the globe will be followed by round table discussions on how place management is responding to these challenges.
- Restaurant Italienskan Hötorget 4, 111 57 Stockholm, Sweden
- Hay Square, Southeast corner near the Stockholm Concert Hall
- Explore the beauty of the national capital city while learning about key commercial development and public space management projects shaping Stockholm. The session will conclude with a visit to the Vasa Museum. * Departs immediately following lunch. Meet in Hay Square on the southeast corner near the Stockholm Concert Hall.
- Group reservations will be made.
Wednesday 12 Jun 2024
- Sergelkonferenesen, Mäster Samuelsgatan 42, 111 57 Stockholm, Sweden
- Residents & Workers: Delve deeper into the research and best practice examples of the intersection of residents and workers in a commercial city center. Roundtable discussions will explore how cities are striving to address attainable housing needs in proximity to strong employment centers. Discussions will also address the fundamentals of providing for public transportation options and maintaining public safety and security.
- Optional Locations at Kungshallen or the Hötorgshallen, Stockholm, Sweden
- Hay Square, Southeast corner near the Stockholm Concert Hall
- Explore the beauty of the national capital city while learning about key commercial development and public space management projects shaping Stockholm. The session will conclude with a visit to the ABBA Museum. *Departs immediately following lunch. Meet in Hay Square on the southeast corner near the Stockholm Concert Hall.
Thursday 13 Jun 2024
- $90 per person (includes the cost of train).
- Stockholm Central Station Centralplan 15, 111 20
- Beginning with a short historical introduction of Uppsala, this study tour will explore how visitor economies are driving urban economies. Attendees will learn about the importance this university town brings to both the region and country. Enjoy the full Swedish experience in a midsize city that models the ideals of a complete community.
- *Please meet at Stockholm Central Station Centralplan 15, 111 20 Stockholm, Sweden (entrance off Vasagatan).
- Uppsala is one of Sweden’s oldest cities. It was known as Östra Aros up until the 13th century, when the name Uppsala took over. Today, Uppsala is one of Sweden’s four major cities with a population of 245 000 inhabitants. Uppsala has a rich and inspiring range of cultural activities and exciting events together with whole of Sweden’s history – all in one place. The tourist attractions are numerous and exciting and include something for everyone. In addition, there is beautiful nature, both in the center of town and close by.
- Uppsala is today a modern city yet retains a small-town feel. It’s Sweden’s fourth largest city and home to two universities, the arch- bishopric of the Church of Sweden, a rich cultural life and beautiful scenery. Uppsala is rich in history and science and the prestigious Uppsala university is older than universities in many other countries. At the same time, the modern city is vibrating with life and is well known for its progressive research, innovation, and position as a leader in modern technology. Whether you want to eat a lot or a little, outdoors or inside, Uppsala has a wide selection of pubs, cafés and outdoor restaurants.
- Don’t forget to enjoy a Swedish fika, a Swedish social institution: a friendly, relaxing break with coffee and cake. https://destinationuppsala.se/
Friday 14 Jun 2024
- TBD
- Join us for an optional tour on Friday to explore Brussels, a city at the forefront of climate action. Dive into their innovative Smart City program with a focus on Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and learn how they're tackling climate change. Gain a deeper understanding of Brussels' unique character and its role as the heart of the EU from Dr. Philippe Van Parijs, a renowned professor.
- Explore the recently pedestrianized Brussels center, a vibrant public space located in front of the former Stock Exchange building. While the Brussels Beer World itself has an entrance fee, we're exploring the possibility of a private tour arranged by the City (details to be confirmed). We're also investigating a potential tour of the Tour & Taxis area, a massive project focused on sustainable communities spearheaded by Extensa, RB Management, and IRET development. This area exemplifies innovative urban planning.
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