Knowledge Center

Economic Development

A primary objective for place managers is fostering a healthy, sustainable, diverse and prosperous economy for the managed place. The place manager collaborates and works closely with various levels of local and regional economic development organizations, developers, real estate brokers, private firms, philanthropic foundations, destination management organizations, non-profits, and state and federal government agencies, while representing the specific and unique needs, challenges and trends of the managed place.

Additionally, the place manager will work to recruit and retain businesses, conduct market research, encourage a strong local workforce, maintain a diverse mix of commercial and residential development, and facilitate a built environment that is accessible for all users to live, work, play, visit and invest.

Top Issues Council Brief: Inclusive Entrepreneurship

December 19, 2022 Publication

This report explores successful methods UPMOs have used to support inclusive entrepreneurship by improving capital readiness, easing access to commercial spaces, and developing programs for business retention and sustainability.

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Advancing Places: Understanding New Market Dynamics to Guide Organizational Response

November 19, 2022 Webinar

For office-dominated districts, understanding local market dynamics will be critical to direct strategic planning efforts for place management organizations. Learn how new data management technologies are bringing order to chaos and influencing the design of a new generation of post-pandemic economic development initiatives.

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Understanding New Market Dynamics to Guide Organizational Response 

October 07, 2022 Presentation

For office-dominated districts, understanding local market dynamics will be critical to direct strategic planning efforts for place management organizations. Learn how new data management technologies are bringing order to chaos and influencing the design of a new generation of post-pandemic economic development initiatives.

We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!

Evolving Third Places

October 06, 2022 Presentation

Third places in North America are not just about bars and coffeehouses. Instead, the definition should reflect the forms they take within specific subcultures and cohorts amidst fast-moving societal and technological change. Learn where else we’re going these days for a sense of community and belonging.     

We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!

Post Pandemic Recovery for Large Districts

September 23, 2022 Presentation

Join this open discussion forum and share experiences to gain insight into everyday challenges. This session will be facilitated by your peers. 

We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!

Breaking Down Silos – Centering Downtowns in Regional Tourism

September 23, 2022 Presentation

From local restaurants and breweries to unique cultural experiences, main streets are often a key brand pillar for tourism destinations and integral hubs of the visitor economy. Join speakers as they unpack strategies to foster partnerships with state and county destination management organizations and align rural downtown assets with regional tourism strategies.  

We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!

International Place Management & Effective Small Restaurant Support

September 23, 2022 Presentation

Grants to support the recovery of independent, small restaurants were implemented in downtown districts in Toronto, Mexico City, London, Tokyo and Sydney. Learn how place management works in these cities and what interventions showed the most impact for small restaurants.  

We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!

Reimagining the Downtown Your Community Deserves through Inclusive Entrepreneurship

September 23, 2022 Presentation

Reimagining downtown takes more than traditional programming and events. Learn how two downtown agencies/organizations teamed up with commercial property owners and city leaders to reinvigorate their downtowns by flipping the negative impacts of COVID into a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the future of our downtowns – one storefront at a time – through inclusive entrepreneurship, incubation and pop-ups.  

We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!

New Economic Engine – Private Sector University Housing

September 22, 2022

The private sector student housing industry has exploded as an alternative to campus living. The industry provides hundreds of thousands of beds, in communities of all sizes, in high value buildings adjacent to colleges and universities. These communities and residents have created significant economic growth and are transforming these areas.

We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!

Inclusive Entrepreneurship

September 22, 2022 Presentation

This presentation from IDA’s 2022 Annual Conference covers many of the issues in the Inclusive Entrepreneurship top issues council.

We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!