Events
Overview: While clean, safe and placekeeping activities remain core functions of most place management organizations, there is a growing emphasis on developing robust economic development programs that directly address downtown challenges. Economic development is not simply about progressing from simple to complex – it is about identifying and capitalizing on unique opportunities within your community to deliver tangible results for stakeholders. From comprehensive research and data analysis to fostering small business growth and advocating for equitable participation in business and commercial ownership, these initiatives span a wide spectrum of activities. This series invites you to explore where your downtown fits along this continuum and to discover the major economic development trends shaping place management organizations today.
This three-part virtual series will provide an in-depth, hands-on experience for attendees to fully explore the essentials of economic development.
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT)
- Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT)
- Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT)
Domain: Economic Development
Pricing: IDA Members: $205 | Nonmembers: $285
Speakers:
- Claudia Jolin, Executive Director, Baltimore Peninsula CBD (MD)
- James LaBar, Chief Economic and Community Development Officer, Charlotte Center City Partners (NC)
- Heather Schroeder, Executive Director, Downtown Wichita (KS)
Moderator:
- Carolyn Dellutri, CAE, CTP, CMSM, IDA Director of Professional Development
LPM | 3 – 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.
CM | 3 – AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this virtual series. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found at www.planning.org/cm
Speakers
Claudia Jolin
Executive Director, Baltimore Peninsula Partnership (MD)
As Executive Director of Baltimore Peninsula Community Benefits District – Claudia is responsible for all aspects of operating, activating, and securing the public realm on the Peninsula. She identifies and implements programs and procedures to ensure the new neighborhood is a clean, safe, and desirable place to live, work, visit, and play. Her resume spans civic and service-oriented roles, drawing from her extensive education including an M.A. in International Policy from Georgetown University, a B.A. in Economics from UMBC, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Manoa, Hawaii. Jolin has experience at the U.S. Department of State, working in the Office of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Public Relations Office. She is a veteran of the United States Navy, where she worked for the National Security Agency in data interpretation. 
James LaBar
Senior Vice President of Economic Development, Charlotte Center City PartnersPrior to joining CCCP, James served as the Regional Solutions Director and Policy Advisor for Housing, Economy and Jobs for the Oregon Governor. He also worked for the Salt River Project, an award-winning utility in Phoenix, Arizona, as the Manager of Strategic Engagement – State and Local Government Relations. James earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Cincinnati, a master’s degree from the University of West Florida and completed Ph.D. coursework at Arizona State University.
Heather Schroeder
Executive Director, Downtown Wichita Heather Schroeder is the Executive Director of Downtown Wichita, where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance the economic vitality, cultural richness and overall quality of life of downtown Wichita. Working closely with stakeholders, she has spent the past nine months leading the development of the Downtown Wichita Action Plan—a 10-year roadmap for the continued revitalization and transformation of the city's core. Heather has worked in downtown management for a decade, previously serving as Deputy Director and Director of Economic Development at the Downtown Committee of Syracuse. She holds a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in policy analysis and management from Cornell University. Heather is a 2021 IDA ELF graduate.
More Information
Registration information: When registering for this three-part virtual series, please complete the sign-up as yourself and not your organization. If additional staff would like to attend the virtual event, each individual must register as themselves to receive their unique login link. Questions? Email registration@downtown.org.
The Essentials of Economic Development series is restricted to internal educational use only. By participating, you agree not to copy or distribute any part of this product. AI powered notetaking, transcription or recording tools (such as automated meeting assistants) are not permitted.
By registering, you acknowledge that you will be participating in a virtual series that may include your voice or comments being captured as part of a recorded virtual session. This virtual series will be recorded for internal IDA training purposes only. The recording will not be distributed or shared with participants.
Cancellation Policy: Once purchased, the Essentials of Economic Development series is nonrefundable. Substitutions will not be permitted. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the International Downtown Association by emailing registration@downtown.org.
By registering for this webinar, you are agreeing to the Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Complaint Policy and IDA Event Agreement and Code of Conduct.
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.
Program
- Wednesday 15 Apr 2026
- Wednesday 22 Apr 2026
- Wednesday 29 Apr 2026
Wednesday 15 Apr 2026
- This hands-on training is designed for UPMO staff who need practical systems for economic development work. The session focuses on where to find data, how to organize it, and how to determine what is worth tracking for different audiences and purposes. Participants will learn tactical methods for collecting and maintaining core district data, including business inventories, vacancies, and development activity. The training clearly distinguishes among internal reporting, annual reports, and state-of-the-district publications and shows how each should be structured differently. The session also emphasizes the role of a strategic plan in determining what data matters and how reporting should support long-term priorities.
- Identify, source and maintain core economic development data using specific public datasets, internal tracking tools and repeatable workflows appropriate for PMO capacity.
- Build audience-specific reports by selecting and framing data differently for internal teams, boards, funders and the public in annual reports or state-of-the-district updates.
- Use a strategic plan as a data filter by aligning metrics and reporting to district goals so economic development work is measurable, defensible and actionable.
- Claudia Jolin, Executive Director, Baltimore Peninsula CBD (MD)
Wednesday 22 Apr 2026
- Downtown organizations are increasingly being invited into economic development conversations, but only when they bring clarity, trust and value to complex ecosystems. This session demystifies economic development through a downtown-focused lens, connecting real estate development, business attraction and place-based strategy. Using practical frameworks and real-world examples, participants will learn how downtown leaders can build “CRE empathy,” support employer decision-making and position their organizations as indispensable partners in shaping resilient, mixed-use and talent-driven downtowns.
- Define economic development as a place-based, collaborative practice: Articulate how economic development goes beyond transactions by aligning research, partnerships and investments to increase productivity, strengthen downtowns and raise long-term quality of life.
- Apply real estate and business-attraction literacy to downtown practice: Build working knowledge of commercial real estate concepts, development lifecycles and employer decision factors to engage more effectively with developers, brokers and site selectors.
- Position downtown organizations as value-add ecosystem partners: Identify concrete ways their organizations can earn trust and “be invited” into real estate and business attraction conversations by leveraging local insight, data and place-based expertise.
- James LaBar, Chief Economic and Community Development Officer, Charlotte Center City Partners (NC)
Wednesday 29 Apr 2026
- What role does a place management organization play in business development? In this session, you’ll learn how to maximize businesses’ probability of success by measuring market demand, assessing business owner readiness and inventorying suitable space. Join us as we walk through real-world scenarios to determine how a district’s zoning, existing business roster and vacant commercial space can influence new business prospects. See how downtowns have leveraged partnerships, shared programs and placemaking initiatives to support new commercial activity and promote business retention.
- Understand how Place Management Organizations (PMOs) can assemble local data to promote downtown commercial occupancy.
- Identify key external partners for growing your downtown commercial base.
- Understand how downtown placemaking functions as an economic development tool.
- Heather Schroeder, Executive Director, Downtown Wichita (KS)
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Questions?
For registration assistance or further information, please contact IDA’s registration team.
