Knowledge Center
Organizational Management
Place management harnesses and captures the value and growth potential that unique places have. It is the role of the place manager to uphold the strategic plan, implementing a sustainable revenue stream, working within the confines of local and state legislation, establishing and maintaining various taxing and levy structures, and managing a diverse and inclusive staff. Place managers focus on consensus building and negotiating to effectively manage relationships and solve complex place-based problems.
Captain Mike Foreman Master Talk
What does it take to lead in the most extreme environments imaginable? Former NASA astronaut Captain Mike Foreman knows firsthand. Mike is a retired U.S. Naval Aviator originally from Wadsworth, Ohio. Over a remarkable career, Mike has over 7,500 hours of flight time in more than 50 different types of aircraft, spent more than 637 hours in space, completed five spacewalks and played a direct role in building the International Space Station.
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!
How 10 CEO’s Handled 10 Oh S*** Moments
How 10 CEOs Handled 10 Oh S*** Moments distills executive responses to governance, policy, media, procurement and stakeholder crises. Location: Seattle, WA; Winnipeg, MB; Cleveland, OH; Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Vancouver, BC; West Palm Beach, FL; Halifax, NS. Organization: MIG; Downtown Winnipeg BIZ; University Circle, Inc.; The Hollywood Partnership; Center City District; East Village BIA; West Palm Beach DDA; SODO BIA; DTLA Alliance; Downtown Halifax; Downtown Seattle Association.
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Expanding Organizational Value Through Membership
Expanding Organizational Value Through Membership gives downtown organizations models for dues, benefits, committees, sponsorships, incentives and staff-led relationship management. Examples show how to audit benefits, use events for renewals and acquisition, and build a revenue culture. Reported outcomes include 40% membership growth and 125% growth. Location: Nashville, TN; Tampa, FL; Dallas, TX. Organization: Nashville Downtown Partnership; Tampa Downtown Partnership; Downtown Dallas, Inc..
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!
The Art of Managing Your Board
The Art of Managing Your Board outlines governance best practices used by Downtown Houston+, Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District (San Francisco), and consulting partners. It defines board vs. CEO roles, recruitment and onboarding processes, committee structures, and engagement tactics. Outcomes include clearer accountability, improved board effectiveness, and higher engagement through structured meetings and micro-communications.
Read MoreWhat the Innovation Adoption Lifecycle Can Tell Us About The Evolution of Downtowns and the Strategies of UPMO’s
Innovation Lifecycles applies Everett Rogers’ Innovation Adoption Lifecycle to downtown evolution, using case studies from Jackson Square (San Francisco) and Jack London District (Oakland). The resource shows how UPMOs can align branding, tenant mix, placemaking, and stakeholder strategies with adopter segments to guide realistic regeneration, avoid misaligned investments, and support phased district transformation.
Read MoreGreat River Greenway Technology Action Plan
The Brickline Greenway Technology Action Plan summarizes Great Rivers Greenway’s multi‑year roadmap for integrating public Wi‑Fi, safety, wayfinding, and data tools along the Brickline Greenway in St. Louis. Developed with Sasaki through extensive community and stakeholder engagement, the plan establishes technology principles, governance, and implementation guidance, enabling equitable, privacy‑aware technology pilots and long‑term public‑realm outcomes.
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!
Budgets 101
Budgets 101 provides a practical introduction to nonprofit and district budgeting, featuring Downtown Mesa Association (AZ) and The Loop CID (MO). It explains income vs. expense, budget vs. actual tracking, balance sheets, and public accountability. Readers gain step‑by‑step guidance for building realistic budgets, aligning workplans to finances, and improving transparency for boards and stakeholders.
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!
So You’re Starting a BID? Don’t Breakdown – Breakthrough!
So You’re Starting a BID? provides a step‑by‑step roadmap for launching a Business Improvement District, drawing on experiences from Asheville Downtown Association + Improvement District, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., and Ocean Avenue Association. It covers pre‑establishment feasibility, budgeting, governance, staffing, communications, reporting, and renewal, with practical checklists and lessons that help new districts build credibility and long‑term support.
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!
Charting the Course – Managing for an Uncertain Future
Charting the Course presents how Downtown Austin Alliance, The Magnificent Mile Association (Chicago), and Downtown Houston+ adapted governance, funding, and advocacy models amid fiscal and economic uncertainty. It details revenue diversification, assessment reform, task-force–led governance modernization, and homelessness response strategies, with outcomes including stabilized budgets, new funding agreements, and structural reforms underway.
Read MoreDowntowns “Punching Above Their Weight”
Punching Above Their Weight profiles Downtown Development District (Baton Rouge, LA), Downtown Frederick Partnership (MD), and Central Square BID (Cambridge, MA). It documents how small teams and modest budgets achieve outsized impact through revenue diversification, culture-led economic development, partnerships, and scalable programming, with outcomes including increased earned income, district activation, and strengthened local identity.
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!
