Events
Overview: As place management professionals, we are often charged with creating ways to bring people downtown and to our neighborhood districts. Join this session and learn from three seasoned professionals why they produce festivals and events for their districts. Who benefits and what does it take to produce them.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the types of events and the purpose they serve.
- Understand the programming cycle for producing a festival/event.
- The importance of partnerships to produce events.
Friday, March 24, 2023 | 12:00pm ET (9:00am PT)
Domain: Marketing, Communications and Events
Pricing: IDA Members: Free | Nonmembers: $40
Advancing Places is an online series aimed at empowering IDA members with the solutions needed to address the most critical urban issues of the day. This session will include a moderated Q&A and will be recorded for member and nonmember use in the future.
Speakers:
- Judith Veresuk, Executive Director, Regina Downtown BID (SK)
- Laura Simon, Executive Director, Downtown Delray Beach (FL)
- Kim DeMeritt, Director of Events, Downtown Tempe Authority (AZ)
Moderator:
- Carolyn Dellutri, Director of Professional Development, IDA
LPM | 1 IDA LPM professionals can earn credit hours for this webinar. More information about IDA’s Leadership in Place Management certification program can be found here.
Speakers
Kim DeMeritt
Director of Events, Downtown Tempe Authority (AZ)
Kim DeMeritt is the Director of Events at Downtown Tempe Authority and has been with the organization since 2017. Kim leads the planning and execution of award winning community events, including holiday parades, art festivals, holiday activations and dining events. Kim has a history in non-profit work including event management and fundraising along with producing large scale outdoor athletic events. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from St. Mary’s University. 
Laura Simon
Executive Director, Downtown Delray Beach (FL)Laura L. Simon is the Executive Director of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, a special taxing district established in 1971. Simon joined the organization in 2010 and in the process created award-winning marketing campaigns and events that consistently drive positive economic growth throughout the downtown community. Most recently, she led the Reopen Task Force through the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with the City, CRA and Chamber of Commerce to regain the momentum for this resort town and rebuild the community. As a native of Delray Beach, Florida, as well as a tourism management professional, her enthusiasm and passion for promoting this unique destination is contagious as well as impactful.
Judith Veresuk
Executive Director, Regina Downtown BID (SK)
Judith Veresuk is the Executive Director of the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, where she is responsible for overseeing BID operations; designing, implementing and managing programs to ensure Downtown Regina is a clean, safe and friendly destination for visitors, residents and businesses.
Since joining RDBID in 2010, Judith has developed and implemented programs highlighting the wide ranging nature of Downtown Regina. These initiatives include tours of Downtown’s history and architectural heritage, arts and cultural programs celebrating local artists through the Urban Canvas initiative, development of community-wide events such as Frost, Grey Cup, Hometown Hockey and Hockey Week Downtown (as part of the Heritage Classic NHL game. Judith continues to work with the downtown property and business owners to make Downtown Regina a vibrant neighbourhood that supports our community’s growth. More Information
Registration information: When registering for a webinar, please complete the sign-up as yourself and not your organization. If additional staff would like to attend the same webinar, each individual must register as themselves to receive their unique login link. Questions? Email registration@downtown.org.
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.
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