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2026 IDA Place Matters

Join us for IDA Place Matters in Madison, Wisconsin hosted by the International Downtown Association in partnership with Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI) on May 13–15, 2026. The conference program will explore economic development strategies and public space management and operations, including placemaking and activations. Let’s come together to explore meaningful public private partnerships, strategic visioning and economic development strategies for all. We are looking to have impactful conversations around ambassador programs, public space maintenance and serving the unhoused. 

Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI), a nonprofit membership organization formed more than four decades ago, works to create an economically strong, inclusive, equitable and vibrant downtown Madison through advocacy, policy research, community building and place leadership. The BID promotes the district as a whole and creates a welcoming downtown environment through art installations, holiday lights, flower planters, an ambassador program and numerous programs and events, including the Madison Night Market. Explore more exciting things to do here. 

IDA’s in-person spring events have a new name – IDA Place Matters. These events will still feature the same great content and experiences you have come to expect from IDA’s regional and topical summits and forums. We look forward to seeing you in Madison this May!    

Master Talks

master-talks

Ian Abston

master-talks

John Adams

master-talks

Ken Monteleone

master-talks

Alfonso Morales

master-talks

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway

master-talks

Trudy Watt

Conference Details

IDA Place Matters will be held at the Best Western Premier Park Hotel, located at 22 S Carroll Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 and at various locations throughout downtown Madison. 

Located on an isthmus between two beautiful lakes, downtown Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin State Capitol, as well as a vibrant business, nonprofit and residential community. 

At the heart of downtown Madison is the Madison Central Business Improvement District (BID). This unique shopping, business and entertainment district features hundreds of shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs and taverns, museums and cultural destinations. The BID promotes the district as a whole and creates a welcoming downtown environment through art installations, holiday lights, flower planters, an ambassador program and numerous programs and events, including the Madison Night Market. We look forward to welcoming you to downtown Madison! Find things to do here.

Get social! What questions will you come ready to ask? Share them on social media using #IDAMDN26 and #IDAPlaceMatters.  

Online registration is now closed for the 2026 IDA Place Matters. You may register on-site, May 13-15, 2026, at the Best Western Premier Park Hotel, Mezzanine, 2nd Floor, located at 22 S Carroll Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703. 

On-site registration times and rates: 

  • Wednesday, May 13: noon-5 pm  
  • Thursday, May 14: 7:30 am-5:00 pm  
  • Friday, May 15: 8:00 am-12:00 pm  
  • On-site Registration Rate: $495 Member | $595 Nonmember  
  • On-site Registration Rate for Thursday, May 14 only: $360  
  • On-site Registration Rate for Friday, May 15 only: $310 

Daily registration includes access to sessions, meals and/or receptions scheduled for the day of your attendance. Daily registrants are not eligible to attend activities outside their selected day. Session-only registrants are eligible to attend their session only.

Substitutions: Substitutions of complete registrations (including tours and/or workshops) are gladly accepted prior to the event start date. Please submit a written request to registration@downtown.org before Monday, May 11, 2026, 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.

Adding a Pre-Conference Tour/Pre-Conference Workshop/Mobile Tour: Pre-conference workshop, pre-conference tours and/or mobile tours sell out quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to add these items at the time of your registration. If you are registering for someone else or a group, please find out their selection prior to registering them. Although each person within the group can purchase a tour after they have been registered, they run the risk of the tour no longer being available.

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.

Cancellation Policy: Written notice of cancellation is required. Cancellations received via email by April 22, 2026, will receive a refund less a $100 processing fee. Cancellations received via email after April 22, 2026, will not be refunded. If a tour cancellation is received via email by April 22, 2026, there will be no penalty. Tour cancellations received via email after April 22, 2026, will not receive a refund. Refunds will be processed approximately 30 days after the event. Please email the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association at registration@downtown.org.

Outstanding Balance: Please note, if you have an outstanding balance for this event and/or tour(s), you will not receive your badge on-site or be allowed to attend tours until payment is received. The deadline for outstanding balances is Monday, April 27, 2026. Please contact registration@downtown.org prior to your arrival on-site to pay your outstanding balance.

By registering you are agreeing to IDA’s Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Complaint Policy, Event Agreement and Code of Conduct and IDA Attendee Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release Form.

The Best Western Premier Park Hotel, located at 22 S Carroll Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, is offering a rate of $179 USD per night plus tax, for a standard room for attendees. Please book your room online by Friday, April 24, 2026. Parking is available at $25 USD.

Experience Madison from its heart at the Best Western Premier Park Hotel, the only hotel on Capitol Square. Major events like the Farmers Market, Concerts, and Art Fair happen right outside. Walk to the Overture Center, State Street, and Monona Terrace. Its proximity to the UW’s Kohl Center and Camp Randall Stadium also makes it ideal for game days, business, and one-of-a-kind vacations.

Don’t be Scammed by Third Party Housing Companies

The official hotel and overflow properties (if applicable) are listed above. Please beware of other companies soliciting hotel room “deals” over the dates of the event. Third party housing companies typically offer a higher rate than the official block rate. These company’s cancellation policies are often harsh and unforgiving. IDA is not working with any third parties to offer attendees accommodation! If you receive a solicitation and are unsure whether or not it is legitimate, please contact Lul Teklit at lul@downtown.org.

Travel

Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) is approximately 12 minutes (4.7 miles) from the Best Western Premier Park Hotel. Taxi/Uber/Lyft is approximately $20-30 USD one-way. The hotel provides a free shuttle service to MSN Airport only, from 7:30am – 10:30pm.

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.

By attending IDA Place Matters, certified Leaders in Place Management will earn 8 credit hours toward the renewal of their LPM certification. Please visit downtown.org/certification to learn more about becoming certified or recording continuing education units.

IDA is an AICP credit provider. AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for sessions. When CM credits are available, they are noted in the program. IDA’s sessions provide an easy way for AICP certified planners to earn their CM credits.

Preview the schedule-at-a-glance below (program is subject to change). To see the full description, click on the down arrow next to the title. Filter the program by domain or session type and start curating your personalized experience. Please note, all times listed are Central Time and all prices are in USD.

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 events and conferences is organized around this framework. For more information about each domain, visit the Career Center.

Conference Program

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  • Wednesday 13 May 2026
  • Thursday 14 May 2026
  • Friday 15 May 2026
  • Saturday 16 May 2026

Wednesday 13 May 2026

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Location:
  • Capitol Room, 2nd Floor
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Price:
  • $35
Meeting Location:
  • Lobby Level, Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Domain:
  • Planning, Design and Infrastructure
Description:
  • Discover how visionary planning, public spaces and creative placemaking come together on this walking tour of Downtown Madison. This tour will highlight the ideas, projects and people shaping the city’s public realm. The tour explores the Madison LakeWay project and its role in reconnecting downtown to the lakes, alongside John Nolen’s 1910 plan and how its principles still guide today’s planning decisions. Participants will experience placemaking and signature events on the Capitol Square, learn about the Lakefront Porch project and see how downtown streatery programs activate streets year-round. Stops include Monona Terrace, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and a look ahead to the future Amtrak station and its impact on connectivity and growth. This tour offers insight into how history, design and forward-thinking investments create a dynamic, people-centered downtown.
  • This tour includes walking indoors/outdoors; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.
program-list
Price:
  • $35
Meeting Location:
  • Lobby Level, Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Domain:
  • Public Space Management and Operations
Description:
  • Step behind the scenes of Madison’s Central Business Improvement District on this guided walking tour focused on Operations, Maintenance & Safety. Designed for place management professionals, city planners and civic leaders, the tour highlights the essential systems and people that keep the downtown clean, functional and welcoming every day. As you walk through key areas of the district, you’ll learn how coordinated maintenance programs, ambassadors and operational strategies support businesses, residents and visitors. Guides will share real-world examples of challenges faced in a busy urban core – everything from snow and waste management to event coordination and emergency response – and how proactive planning keeps the district running smoothly. Participants will gain insight into best practices, innovative approaches and partnerships that enhance downtown livability and economic vitality. Expect practical knowledge, behind-the-scenes stories and a deeper appreciation for the work that makes Madison’s downtown thrive.
  • This tour includes walking indoors/outdoors; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.
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Location:
  • Madison Children's Museum, 2nd Floor, 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison, WI 53703
Description:
  • Join IDA and DMI for the opening reception at the Madison Children’s Museum! The history of the museum’s new location, long known as Block 99, is particularly rich. Inhabited by a reformist church, an innovative national retail chain, a cutting edge international educational institution, a progressive government agency and finally a state of the art children’s museum devoted to informal learning through creative play, the block’s history comprises a microcosm of the community’s long history of commitment to the Wisconsin Idea and the progressive tradition.
  • The Museum is 0.4 miles/7-minute walk from the host hotel, Best Western Premier Park Hotel.

Thursday 14 May 2026

program-list
Meeting Location:
  • Lobby Level, Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Description:
  • Start your day with a relaxed morning run through downtown Madison. This easy, all-levels route is a refreshing way to explore the city and energize yourself before conference sessions begin.
  • This run will be fully outdoors. Please plan accordingly. Wear proper running/workout attire, comfortable running shoes and sun protection.
program-list
Location:
  • University Room, 2nd Floor
program-list
Location:
  • University Room, 2nd Floor
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Location:
  • Madison Room, 2nd Floor
Description:
  • Start your 2026 IDA Place Matters experience at Opening General Session with this exceptional group of Master Talk Speakers leading real change in their respective place.
Speakers:
  • Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor, City of Madison
  • John Adams, President & Co-Founder, Catalyst for Change, Inc.
  • Ken Monteleone, Founder, Fromagination
  • Ian Abston, President, Hoan Group
program-list
Location:
  • University Room, 2nd Floor
Description:
  • Visit exhibiting sponsors to learn how they can enhance your district!
program-list
Location:
  • Vilas Room, Lower Level
Domain:
  • Economic Development
Description:
  • Join this open discussion forum and share your experiences to gain insight into everyday challenges you are facing. This session will be facilitated by your peers.
Facilitators:
  • Matt Kennell, President & CEO, Main Street District (Columbia, SC)
  • Jeff Murison, President & CEO, Live It Up Hillsborough St (Raleigh, NC)
  • Kirstin DeMartino, Director of Campus and Visitor Relations, University of Wisconsin (WI)
program-list
Location:
  • Doty Room, Lower Level
Domain:
  • Marketing, Communications and Events
Description:
  • Join this open discussion forum and share your experiences to gain insight into everyday challenges you are facing. This session will be facilitated by your peers.
Facilitators:
  • Danielle Dodson, Director of Marketing & Communications, Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership (OK)
  • Allison Shashok, Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Operations, IDA (Washington, DC)
program-list
Location:
  • Capitol Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Public Space Management and Operations
Description:
  • Join this open discussion forum and share your experiences to gain insight into everyday challenges you are facing. This session will be facilitated by your peers.
Facilitators:
  • Shane Zahn, Sr. Director of Community Safety, Minneapolis Downtown DID (MN)
  • Mitchell Freund, Operations Director, Colfax Ave. BID, Denver (CO)
program-list
Location:
  • Madison Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Organizational Management
Description:
  • Join this open discussion forum and share your experiences to gain insight into everyday challenges you are facing. This session will be facilitated by your peers.
Facilitators:
  • Jason Ilstrup, President, Downtown Madison, Inc. (WI)
  • Judith Veresuk, LPM, Executive Director, Regina, Downtown BID, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
program-list
Location:
  • Madison Room, 2nd Floor
Description:
  • Grab lunch and listen to an inspiring Master Talk Speaker leading real change in their respective place.
Speaker:
  • Trudy Watt, Kay Vaughan Innovation Fellow, Department of Design Studies, School of Human Ecology, Academic Director, MS Design + Innovation, University Wisconsin - Madison
program-list
Price:
  • $60
Meeting Location:
  • Lobby Level, Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Domain:
  • Economic Development
Description:
  • Explore the powerful connection between city and campus on this engaging bike tour. The tour highlights how the University of Wisconsin–Madison serves as an economic, cultural and innovation engine for the broader community. Participants will ride through the UW–Madison campus and visit key destinations including the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, Morgridge Hall—home to the new School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences, Camp Randall Stadium and the Wisconsin Union. Along the way, guides will discuss how university investments, research hubs, athletics and student life contribute to downtown vitality and regional growth. The tour also explores successful town-and-gown collaborations, shared infrastructure and opportunities for future partnerships. Designed for place management professionals and civic leaders, this tour offers practical insights into leveraging university assets to create connected, thriving and resilient communities.
  • This tour includes transportation and walking indoors/outdoors; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes and sun protection.
program-list
Meeting Location:
  • Lobby Level, Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Domain:
  • Economic Development
Description:
  • Explore the transformation of Madison’s Capitol East District on this dynamic walking tour. Once an underutilized area on the edge of downtown, Cap East has emerged as a vibrant hub for arts, entertainment and mixed-use development. The tour highlights Breese Stevens Field as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization, showcasing how adaptive reuse and programming can energize a district. Participants will also explore surrounding infill development projects that have added housing, workplaces and gathering spaces while reinforcing the area’s creative identity. Guides will discuss planning strategies, public-private partnerships and design decisions that shaped this evolution, as well as lessons learned along the way. This tour offers valuable insight into how targeted investment and cultural anchors can transform emerging districts into active, connected, and economically resilient urban neighborhoods.
  • This tour includes walking indoors/outdoors; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.
program-list
Location:
  • Vilas Room, Lower Level
Domain:
  • Marketing, Communications and Events
Description:
  • Join this session and learn how to identify business clusters within your district and create events that bring people downtown. This session explores a variety of targeted sector examples including a girl's weekend, the weddings market, activating restaurants, bars and retail through permitted alcohol zones and uplifting the wellness sector by adapting the Downtown Dining Week model.
Learning Objective:
  • Learn about business clusters and how to identify these in your district.
Moderator:
  • Carolyn Dellutri, CAE, CTP, CMSM, IDA Director of Professional Development (Washington, DC)
Speakers:
  • Isabel Ullrich, Marketing, Events & Social Media Director, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 (WI)
  • Preston Wallace, Director of Marketing, Downtown Fort Wayne (IN)
program-list
Location:
  • Madison Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Economic Development
AICP Credit:
  • 1
Description:
  • For a century, downtowns were office-centric monocultures. Post-pandemic reality proves adding residential units isn’t enough when primary economic engines are forever altered. We’ve entered the "Unbundled Downtown" era, where vacancy and disconnected public realms must be physically and economically transformed. Leaders from Houston, New York City and Chicago demonstrate how "Big Moves" – from "Cool & Connected" corridors to treating storefronts as civic infrastructure – use public investment to de-risk development and orchestrate collective ROI.
Learning Objectives:
  • Orchestrating the "Choir": Identify how public-sector "Big Moves" (infrastructure, grants and zoning) serve as the necessary catalyst for collective private-sector investment.
  • Tactical De-Risking: Analyze specific deal structures and public-private partnerships that have successfully converted cautious interest into active development and investment.
  • Evaluating the Ecosystem: Develop a framework for what to restore (human-scale vibrancy), what to remove (commuter-only infrastructure) and what to reimagine (the ground floor as a civic asset).
Moderator:
  • Meagan Tuttle, Planning Director, City of Madison (WI)
Speakers:
  • Cassie Hoeprich, Director of Planning & Economic Development, Downtown Houston+ (TX)
  • Jay Renkens, Chief Practice Officer, MIG, New York City / Represents international practice (NY)
  • Austin Faison, Economic Development Manager, Magnificent Mile Association, Chicago (IL)
program-list
Location:
  • Capitol Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Public Space Management and Operations
Description:
  • This panel explores how three urban place management organizations conceptualized, funded and operate brick-and-mortar facilities to enhance their homelessness and social service outreach. Through case studies from Hollywood, Phoenix and Washington, DC, panelists will share why these spaces were developed, how they function and what downtown leaders should consider when street-based outreach programs would benefit from a place to call home.
Learning Objectives:
  • Recognize when a physical facility can enhance homelessness outreach effectiveness in a downtown district.
  • Compare funding, partnership and operational models used to launch and sustain facilities that support outreach.
  • Translate lessons from three case studies into actionable considerations for their own communities.
Moderator:
  • Steven Welliver, Chief Operating Officer, The Hollywood Partnership (Los Angeles, CA)
Speakers:
  • Ishan Heru, Director of Homeless Services, DowntownDC BID (Washington, DC)
  • R.J. Price, Chief Growth Officer, Downtown Phoenix Inc (AZ)
program-list
Location:
  • Vilas Room, Lower Level
Domain:
  • Marketing, Communications and Events
AICP Credit:
  • 1
Description:
  • When Green Bay hosted the 2025 NFL Draft, the main event occurred three miles from downtown. This session examines how the Downtown Districts remained relevant by leveraging marketing, events, placemaking, transportation and city/tourism partnerships. Attendees will learn how coordinated messaging and public space activations converted visitors into downtown customers. This case study highlights how downtown organizations can stay competitive and visible during large-scale events that occur outside their footprint.
Learning Objectives:
  • Discover how to position downtown as a complementary destination during large-scale events held outside the downtown core.
  • Leverage marketing, placemaking and activations to encourage event attendees to be downtown visitors and customers.
  • Coordinate collaboration between city departments, tourism entities and downtown organizations to support downtown businesses and create significant economic impact.
Moderator:
  • Jen Metcalf, Assistant Director, Downtown Green Bay, Inc. (WI)
Speakers:
  • Jenny VandenLangenberg, Director of First Impressions, Downtown Green Bay Inc. (WI)
  • Mary Rhode, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, On Broadway, Inc (Green Bay, WI)
  • James Anderson, Deputy Director, City of Green Bay Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department (WI)
program-list
Location:
  • Capitol Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Policy and Advocacy
AICP Credit:
  • 1
Description:
  • Commanding the attention of state and federal leadership demands regional scale. This session examines how coalitions that cross municipal boundaries can influence public policy. Using case studies from Wisconsin, Texas and Ohio, we will show how UPMOs can leverage collective voice and data to shape public-sector decision-making. Attendees will learn how to draft a roadmap to scale their influence from city hall to the state capital and beyond.
Learning Objectives:
  • Reframe the organizational identity from "local service provider" to "critical economic infrastructure”.
  • Construct a multi-tier advocacy roadmap that differentiates between operational asks and policy asks.
  • Create a unified narrative that demonstrates the coalition’s collective economic value.
Moderator:
  • Andrew Goldberg, IDA U.S. Government Affairs and Principal, Agora Consulting (Washington, DC)
Speakers:
  • Kimberly Bares, LPM, President & CEO, The Magnificent Mile Association, (Chicago, IL)
  • Maggie Campbell, President and CEO, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (TX)
  • Errin Welty, Senior Director of Downtown Development, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (Madison, WI)
program-list
Location:
  • Madison Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Public Space Management and Operations
Description:
  • This panel offers a rare, 360-degree perspective on interactive digital public art – from vision and commissioning to funding, production, installation and long-term impact. Featuring panelists directly involved in delivering highly successful projects, it brings together BID leadership, commissioning expertise and artistic innovation to deliver practical insights, real-world lessons and actionable solutions, ensuring virtually every question around interactive digital public art delivery can be addressed.
Learning Objectives:
  • Learn about the requirements and challenges involved in commissioning, installing and maintaining interactive digital public art.
  • Learn about the types of data interactive systems can capture to measure and analyze audience engagement but also addressing privacy concerns related to the collection and use of personal data.
  • Understand when and how the local community is considered by the creative team throughout the development process.
Moderator:
  • Molly Alexander, Founder & CEO, ITP Consulting (Austin, TX)
Speakers:
  • Jane Rossman, Director of Planning and Public Space Management, Flatiron Nomad, (New York City, NY)
  • Alice Sanz, Multimedia Director, Iregular (Montreal, QC)
  • Toni Sikes, Funder & CEO, CODAworx (Madison, WI)
program-list
Location:
  • Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State St, Madison, WI 53703
Description:
  • Following 105 years of presenting exhibitions and education programs in borrowed and refurbished spaces, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art opened to the public on April 23, 2006, in a brand-new facility connected to Overture Center for the Arts. Designed by world-renowned architect CĂ©sar Pelli, the Museum’s exhilarating facility offers 51,500 square feet of interior space, as well as the 7,100-square-foot Rooftop Sculpture Garden. Join IDA and DMI for drinks and bites at the Rooftop Sculpture Garden, featuring full museum access and stunning views!
  • The Museum is 0.3 miles/6-minute walk from the host hotel, Best Western Premier Park Hotel.
  • *The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art respectfully acknowledges that their building is built on the traditional land of the Ho-Chunk Nation. They honor the Ho-Chunk Nation, whose people have lived and continue to live there, and they celebrate their enduring impact. As a museum of the visual arts, MMoCA continues to respect the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous peoples.
Sponsor:
  • Networking Mixer is sponsored by Block by Block

Friday 15 May 2026

program-list
Location:
  • University Room, 2nd Floor
Description:
  • Grab your morning coffee and pastries before sessions start. Breakfast service will be available in University Room starting at 8:00 a.m.
program-list
Price:
  • $60
Meeting Location:
  • Lobby Level, Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Domain:
  • Planning, Design and Infrastructure
Description:
  • Explore how community-driven planning and thoughtful development are shaping the future of Regent Street on this walking tour. The tour highlights key projects that reflect the area’s evolving identity, including new affordable housing within the Bayview Neighborhood development and the Triangle. Participants will learn how these investments support housing diversity, neighborhood connectivity, and local-serving businesses. Along the way, guides will discuss the broader Regent Street vision and the role of community engagement, partnerships, and long-term planning in guiding change. The tour offers insight into how balancing growth with affordability, walkability, and neighborhood character can strengthen district vitality. Designed for place management professionals and community leaders, this tour provides real-world examples of how inclusive development and a shared vision can cultivate a resilient, welcoming corridor.
  • This tour includes transportation and walking indoors/outdoors; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.
program-list
Price:
  • $35
Meeting Location:
  • Lobby Level, Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Domain:
  • Planning, Design and Infrastructure
Description:
  • Step into the story of one of Madison’s most iconic corridors on this walking tour. Connecting the University of Wisconsin–Madison to the Capitol Square, State Street has long been a cultural, commercial, and civic spine of downtown. This tour explores the street’s rich history, signature events, and evolving role as a public gathering place. Participants will visit Lisa Link Peace Park, Mifflin Plaza and the future Wisconsin History Center, and Library Mall to see how investment, design, and programming continue to influence the street’s character. Along the way, guides will discuss how placemaking, partnerships, and reinvestment are shaping State Street’s next chapter. This tour offers valuable insight into how downtown corridors evolve while remaining authentic, active, and welcoming.
  • This tour includes walking indoors/outdoors; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.
program-list
Location:
  • Vilas Room, Lower Level
Domain:
  • Economic Development
AICP Credit:
  • 1
Description:
  • Discover how Downtown Madison Inc. and the City of Madison created a public-private partnership to shape downtown’s future growth through two coordinated efforts: an actionable Economic Investment Strategy to inform a visionary update to the City’s Downtown Plan. This session highlights early lessons from the collaborative leadership, community engagement, and data-driven deliverables – providing practical insights for place managers to align public and private investments and foster long-term vibrancy in downtown districts.
Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the Process: Gain practical insights into economic data analyses, community engagement strategies, funding approaches and stakeholder collaborations that are shaping Madison’s coordinated planning efforts.
  • Explore Collaborative Benefits: Hear from public and private leaders on why a shared planning approach and governance model strengthens downtown vibrancy and aligns diverse interests for long-term success.
  • Apply National Perspectives: Learn from MIG, a national planning consultant, about unique aspects of Madison’s approach, emerging trends and how downtown economic planning adds value in any market.
Speakers:
  • Emily DeVore, Director of Placemaking and Economic Development, Downtown Madison, Inc. (WI)
  • Jay Renkens, Chief Practice Officer, MIG (New York City, NY)
  • Meagan Tuttle, Planning Division Director, City of Madison (WI)
program-list
Location:
  • Madison Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Policy and Advocacy
AICP Credit:
  • 1
Description:
  • Business improvement areas and downtown organizations often know just what their places need but results often depend on how effectively those priorities are conveyed and who receives the message. This session features place leaders sharing how targeted stakeholder engagement and data-driven case-making helped them align boards, impact investors and public agencies around shared goals. Attendees will learn practical strategies for building common ground, influencing decisions and securing support for downtown operations and place management.
Learning Objectives:
  • Identify practical approaches to case-making that use data, storytelling and engagement to communicate downtown needs to boards, funders, investors and public partners.
  • Understand how strategic stakeholder engagement can build alignment and trust, helping downtown and BIA leaders find common ground and advance place management and operational priorities.
  • Apply real-world lessons from place leaders to strengthen decision-making, secure resources and influence outcomes in complex downtown environments.
Moderator:
  • Philip Barash, Principal, Public Sphere Projects (Chicago, IL)
Speakers:
  • Heather Schroeder, Executive Director, Downtown Wichita (KS)
  • Michael Nichols, President, Downtown Boston Alliance (MA)
program-list
Location:
  • Capitol Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Marketing, Communications and Events
Description:
  • Discover how historical archives and community partnerships can foster a district rich with meaning and pride. Explore strategies for weaving district-level identity through storytelling. Panelists will highlight strategies to embrace cultural and economic assets to inform the district experience. Learn how collaborative efforts with historical societies, museums, preservation commissions, BIDs and cultural organizations create interpretive materials, placemaking installations, heritage events and experiences that resonate with residents and visitors alike.
Learning Objectives:
  • Using unique local history to shape district identity and storytelling.
  • Strategies for collaborative storytelling with local partners
  • Strategies for making complex local histories accessible and meaningful
Moderator:
  • Errin Welty, Senior Director of Downtown Development, WEDC (Madison, WI)
Speakers:
  • Raynetta 'Ray' Hill, Executive Director, Historic King Drive (Milwaukee, WI)
  • Blake Opal-Wahoske, Executive Director, Marathon County Historical Society (Wausau, WI)
program-list
Location:
  • University Room, 2nd Floor
Description:
  • Visit exhibiting sponsors to learn how they can enhance your district!
program-list
Location:
  • Capitol Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Public Space Management and Operations
Description:
  • Many crisis plans focus on natural disasters, but manmade events – civil unrest, acts of violence and explosions – are equally devastating and harder to predict. This panel includes leaders from communities that navigated unimaginable crises in their communities. Hear accounts of how each city responded, rebuilt trust and fostered resilience. Panelists will share lessons learned, organizational strategies and practical recommendations to help others prepare for and respond to unforeseen emergencies with strength and unity.
Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the experience and aftermath of a human-led crisis in their district.
  • Craft strategies to prevent or mitigate the impacts of future manmade events in their district – before they happen.
  • Identify and connect with local and national resources that may be able to assist in times of crisis.
Moderator:
  • Errin Welty, Senior Director of Downtown Development, WEDC (Madison, WI)
Speakers:
  • Alexandria Binanti, Executive Director, Downtown Lake Geneva (WI)
  • Jeff Fortin, Economic Development Project Manager, City of Waukesha (WI)
  • Taylor Brown, Economic Development Director, City of Sun Prairie (WI)
program-list
Location:
  • Madison Room, 2nd Floor
Domain:
  • Economic Development
AICP Credit:
  • 1
Description:
  • In times of economic uncertainty, downtown momentum is often built through disciplined, incremental decisions rather than transformational projects. This session brings together downtown leaders from a capital city, a legacy metro and a mid-sized Midwest market to explore incrementalism as a powerful innovation strategy for economic development. Panelists will discuss how they sequence investments, support businesses and build market confidence over time to drive resilient downtown vitality.
Learning Objectives:
  • Reframe incremental economic development as an intentional innovation strategy for building downtown momentum during periods of economic uncertainty.
  • Identify practical ways to sequence investments and initiatives that support business growth, strengthen market confidence and manage risk over time.
  • Apply leadership and decision-making frameworks used by downtown practitioners to advance economic outcomes when transformational projects or large incentives are not feasible.
Moderator:
  • Amanda Kannard, Vice President & Managing Partner, Progressive Urban Management Associates (Denver, CO)
Speakers:
  • Matt Dorner, Chief Executive Officer, Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District #21 (MI)
  • Cathleen Edgerly, Executive Director, Downtown Lansing Inc. (MI)
  • Jennifar Bassett, District Program Manager, Downtown Cedar Rapids (IA)
program-list
Location:
  • Vilas Room, Lower Level
Domain:
  • Public Space Management and Operations
AICP Credit:
  • 1
Description:
  • Transforming urban streets into downtown gems and magnetic people-spaces can position downtown districts for civic transformation and long-term economic vitality. Learn how the impact of signature corridors can be amplified by reimagining destination streets to elevate place, economy, connectivity and experience. Two case studies will be explored: The Oak Street District in Chicago’s Gold Coast and Gay Street along the future Capital Line in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Learning Objectives:
  • Reimagine downtown corridors as vibrant people spaces for increasing economic vitality, connectivity and access to artistic, cultural and destination experiences.
  • Amplify the unique original character of a corridor’s legacy while integrating new strategies for people attraction.
  • Translate a big vision into an undeniably compelling project to build capacity, support and funding toward implementation.
Moderator:
  • Brett Weidl, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP, Principal, MKSK, (Chicago, IL)
Speakers:
  • Gina Caruso, AICP, Executive Director & SSA Manager, Oak Street Council (Chicago, IL)
  • Darren Meyer, ASLA, PLA, AICP, Principal, MKSK (Greenville, SC)
  • Madison Cole, Project Executive, The Capital Line | Director of Communications, Downtown Columbus, Inc (OH)
program-list
Location:
  • University Room, 2nd Floor
Description:
  • Mingle with exhibiting sponsors to learn about solutions!
program-list
Location:
  • Madison Room, 2nd Floor
Description:
  • Close out 2026 IDA Place Matters with an insightful keynote address from Alfonso Morales.
Speaker:
  • Alfonso Morales, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Saturday 16 May 2026

program-list
Meeting Location:
  • Lobby Level, Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Description:
  • Explore the iconic Dane County Farmers’ Market, the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country. On this guided tour around the Capitol Square, meet regional producers and learn about Madison’s vibrant food culture. Local food and drinks will be available for purchase.
  • This tour includes walking outdoors; please plan accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.

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Questions?

For assistance or further information, please contact the IDA registration team.

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