Registration and the waitlist for the 67th Annual Conference & Marketplace are now closed. Please note, there will be no on-site registration. Thank you!

Adding a Pre-Conference Tour, Pre-conference Workshop or Mobile Workshop: If you have already registered for the conference and would like to add a workshop or tour, please visit the registration/tour desk on-site during the registration times listed in the program below.

IDA places the highest priority on the health and safety of our members, partners and colleagues. We are monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will maintain consistent communications regarding the conference protocols (review IDA’s current event protocols). By registering/waitlisting you are agreeing to IDA’s Code of Conduct and Waiver and Release Form.

The full registration fee includes: Plenary Sessions with Master Talks, Breakout Sessions, admission to Marketplace, receptions (2), refreshment breaks (4), and lunches (2). Pre-conference workshops and tours are available for an additional fee.

The daily registration fee includes: access to one day of Plenary Sessions with Master Talks (Wednesday or Thursday only), Breakout Sessions, admission to the Marketplace, refreshment breaks (2), and lunch and/or reception scheduled for the day of your attendance. Tours on the day of your attendance are available for an additional fee. Daily registrants are not eligible to attend activities outside their selected day. 

Spouse / Partner Registration: The partner/spouse fee includes: receptions (2) and lunches (2). Tours are available for an additional fee for registered partner/spouses. The partner/spouse fee does not include session attendance. 

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 October 8, 2021 will receive a refund less a $100 USD processing fee. Refunds will be processed approximately 30 days after the event. Cancellations received after October 8, 2021 will not be refunded. Please email the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association by emailing at registration@downtown.org. 

Attendees Traveling to/from International Countries including Canada: Due to current or future government actions that could be implemented by the Government of Canada or International governments impacting travel to the U.S., such as mandatory testing and quarantine under Quarantine Act, and additional border restrictions/requirements, registrants may be eligible for an event refund. Cancellations received via email by October 8, 2021 will receive a refund less a $25 USD processing fee. Please email the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association by emailing at registration@downtown.org. 

Substitutions: Substitutions of complete registrations (including tours and workshops) are gladly accepted prior to the event start date. Please submit a written request to registration@downtown.org before October 19, 2021 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. 

Pre-Conference Tour, Preconference Workshop or Mobile Workshop Cancellation: Tours may be canceled without penalty prior to October 8, 2021. After October 8, 2021 no refunds will be given on pre-conference tours, pre-conference workshops or mobile workshops.  If you are planning to cancel your tour or workshop, please email registration@downtown.org 

New Member Pricing: Not already a member of IDA? Save 10% on your new membership, plus register at the member rate by joining today! Contact Rebecca Bishophall for more information. 

Group Pricing: Groups of four or more individuals from the same organization receive an additional 10% off their group registration. Each person being registered/waitlisted within a group must be from the same organization or company to qualify for the group pricing. The registration system will automatically apply the savings during the group registration process. NOTE: A minimum of four individuals must be registered/waitlisted at the same time. If less than four register/waitlist, you CANNOT register the fourth person at a later date to receive the group pricing. This group pricing only applies to full conference registrants and does not include tour or mobile workshops.  

The official conference accommodations will be at the Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel and the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel. The room blocks have been closed at both hotels.

About the Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel
The Hilton Tampa Downtown hotel is located next to the Amalie Arena and downtown Tampa dining and shopping. The hotel has a rooftop pool that boasts views of the surrounding area, sundeck, whirlpool, 24-hour fitness center, restaurant, bar, and on-site Starbucks. The Hilton Tampa Downtown hotel is located at 211 North Tampa Street, Tampa, Florida 33602.

About the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel offers easy access to downtown attractions and waterfront views that linger with you long after you leave. Savor delicious dining at River’s Edge restaurant and modern exercise equipment in our Sheraton Fitness Center. Stroll from the hotel to the Tampa Riverwalk, a two-mile trail along the Hillsborough River lined with artists and Florida’s oldest restaurant. Visit the Tampa Convention Center, Florida Aquarium and other attractions near the hotel. The Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel is located at 200 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602.

Don’t be Scammed by Third Party Housing Companies
The official hotel and overflow properties are listed above. Please beware of other companies soliciting hotel room “deals” over the dates of the 67th Annual Conference & Marketplace. 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 accommodations! If you receive a solicitation and are unsure whether or not it is legitimate, please contact Lul Teklit at Lul@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. 

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. 

Where is the conference located? The 2021 conference will be held at the Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel located at 211 North Tampa Street, Tampa, Florida 33602 and at various other locations throughout downtown Tampa. Select mobile tours and workshops will be held off-site; those location details will be noted in the program. 

Are meals included? For each full day of the conference, a morning continental breakfast and lunch will be included. Dinners are not included, but we will provide a locally curated list of dinner options. 

Is there a dress code? While there is not a specific dress code for the conference, most attendees choose to dress between business and business casual. Individual events (tours, receptions, etc.) throughout the conference may specify and require a certain dress code. Those events will be noted. 

What is the cancellation policy?  Written notice of cancellation is required. Cancellations received via email by October 8, 2021 will receive a refund less a $100 USD processing fee. Refunds will be processed approximately 30 days after the event. Cancellations received after October 8, 2021 will not be refunded. Please email the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association by emailing at  registration@downtown.org. 

Attendees Traveling to/from International Countries including Canada: Due to current or future government actions that could be implemented by the Government of Canada or International governments impacting travel to the U.S., such as mandatory testing and quarantine, and additional border restrictions/requirements, registrants may be eligible for an event refund. Cancellations received via email by October 8, 2021 will receive a refund less a $25 USD processing fee. Please email the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association by emailing at registration@downtown.org. 

What is the substitution policy? Substitutions of complete registrations (including tours and workshops) are gladly accepted prior to the event start date. Please submit a written request to  registration@downtown.org before October 19, 2021 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. 

Is there parking? The Hilton Tampa Downtown hotel is valet-only parking. The cost for this is $32 USD plus tax per night. 

Will there be wi-fi at the conference? There will be wi-fi available for IDA attendees at the Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel.  

Do you have a map of downtown Tampa? Please visit the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s interactive map here. 

How do I get to the hotel from the airport? Tampa International Airport (TPA) is approximately 8.5 miles northwest of the Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel. Taxi, Uber and Lyft fares are approximately $25–35 USD one-way. The hotel does not currently provide shuttle services. The other area airport includes St. Pete – Clearwater International Airport (PIE), approximately 17 miles southwest of the hotel. Taxi, Uber and Lyft fares are approximately $25-50 USD one-way. 

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. At previous conferences, attendees continued to advance city building discussions and examine the role of professional place management in shaping prosperous districts. 

2019 by the numbers: 9 Master Talks, 950+ attendees, 22 mobile workshops and tours, 34 breakout sessions, 50+ diverse and exciting sponsors and exhibitors offering services to enhance cities and help your profession. Travelers came from South Africa, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, England, Ireland, and throughout North America, with a contingent of more than 200 from Canada alone. 

What we heard: 

• “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, breakout sessions and select mobile workshops. RSVPs for credentialed media are required for programs and tours. Media are responsible for arranging their own transportation and lodging during the conference.  

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. 

View the agenda below. To see the full description, click on the down arrow next to the title. To download a PDF version of the program, click here. Note, this program is subject to change. 

Adding a Pre-Conference Tour, Pre-conference Workshop or Mobile Workshop: If you have already registered for the conference and would like to add a workshop or tour, please email registration@downtown.org.