Member Benefits

Why IDA?

Place management leaders shape the places where business, culture, community and public life come together. Every day, you collaborate with partners, navigate complex challenges and help create districts that are cleaner, safer, more welcoming and economically vibrant. But no place can solve today’s challenges alone. 

Founded in 1954, IDA is the essential membership association for the people and organizations who lead, manage and strengthen downtowns, commercial districts and urban centers around the world. As an IDA member, you’ll gain access to trusted research, professional expertise, educational opportunities and a global network of peers who share ideas, exchange proven practices and help one another succeed. 

Whether you’re addressing economic development, public safety, stakeholder engagement, placemaking, marketing or strategic planning, IDA provides the knowledge, connections and resources you need to lead with confidence and deliver results for your community. 

Access to Ideas & Experts

Access the knowledge and expertise you need to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. Members receive instant access to more than 2,200 resources, including research reports, presentations, award-winning projects, toolkits and case studies. Through webinars, IDEA Connection and the Knowledge Center, you’ll discover practical solutions, learn from industry experts and connect with peers facing similar opportunities and challenges. Stay informed with Inspired by IDA, a personalized weekly e-newsletter featuring the latest trends, research and industry insights. 

Build your Network

No matter the size of your organization or district, you’re part of a global profession. IDA connects you with thousands of practitioners, city leaders and industry partners who understand your work. Build meaningful relationships through the Member Directory, exchange ideas in IDEA Connection and discover innovative products and services through the Downtown Services Directory. 

Attend World-Class Events

Explore innovative ideas, emerging trends and proven practices through conferences, events and educational programs designed specifically for place management professionals. Tailored to every career stage, IDA events bring together experts and peers from around the world to share practical solutions, fresh perspectives and real-world strategies you can apply directly in your district. From placemaking and public art to economic development and retail recruitment, content reflects the diverse challenges and opportunities shaping urban places today. 

View a Full List of Member Benefits

 

Become a Member

Join the global community of professionals and organizations leading, managing and strengthening downtowns, commercial districts and urban centers. IDA membership connects your entire team with the research, education, professional expertise and peer network needed to navigate complex challenges and create lasting impact.

IDA membership is offered at the organizational level, with benefits extending to all staff and board members. Membership dues are based on operating budget for nonprofits, associations and government agencies, and annual gross revenue for corporations. Annual dues range from $47 USD to $5,676 USD. View the dues schedule for your organization, agency or corporation. 

Have questions? Contact the IDA Membership team to learn more about membership benefits and dues. 

Ready to join? Submit your enrollment form and a member of the IDA Membership team will guide you through the enrollment process. 

Looking to make the most of your membership? Watch our free on-demand member webinar for an overview of member benefits, answers to frequently asked questions and a guided tour of IDEA Connection. Whether you’re a new member, a new staff member or simply need a refresher, it’s a great place to start. 

Types of Memberships:

Nonprofit / Association Membership

You are an urban champion who brings city centers and commercial neighborhoods to life and bridges the gap between the public and private sectors, setting the stage for your district’s economic and cultural success. IDA membership provides you with the resources to grow professionally and personally through access to innovative best practices, trends and solutions, education and proven strategies to get the job done. 

What Members are Saying

“Being a member of IDA has been instrumental in building my knowledge of downtowns and expanding my professional networks.  The Knowledge Center and IDEA Connection dig deep into what downtown organizations need to know and provide practitioners solutions to shared issues.”
— Whitney Hoffman Sayal, Executive Director, Baton Rouge DDD

Corporate Membership

IDA membership offers corporate entities efficient ways to connect with city leaders. Directory access allows you to easily make connections and the member networking site is a great place for you to add to conversations and keep a pulse on what’s happening in the industry. Did we mention everyone on your team is eligible to receive a personal login to IDA? Join those already reaping the rewards of being a corporate member — review IDEA Connection tips, access a narrative framework to guide your marketing communication and gain a competitive edge in the RFP process. Start networking with this powerful group by becoming an IDA member today! 

What Members are Saying

“IDA provides a great resource for new and tenured leadership within our organization who want to learn about the many happenings and nuances within the place management industry. Whether it’s watching past webinars, using IDEA Connection or reading through Top Issues Council publications there are a ton of ways to expose people to information. Investing in an IDA membership is a no brainer for organizations who want to have the collective knowledge of all of our downtowns at their fingertips.”
— Derreck Hughes, Vice President of Operations, Block by Block

Government Agency / Department Membership

Share strategies, build partnerships and find inspiration with IDA. Connect and consult with a responsive global network of fellow city agencies, place management professionals and urban experts about challenges and solutions. Gain access to a constantly updated, real-world, shared body of knowledge, research, data and education. IDA membership is designed to help you thrive and succeed in your role. 

What Members are Saying

“IDA provides a robust research database that offers the latest insights and best practices in urban development, allowing me to stay ahead of trends that can directly impact our city. Their platform also facilitates collaboration with economic development professionals worldwide, offering fresh perspectives and innovative strategies that can be adapted to our local context.”
— Matthew B. Easley, MA, VCA, Assistant Director for Finance and Operations, Fairfax City Economic Development

Academic and Student Memberships

Student and Academic memberships with IDA offer a direct connection to urban place management organizations, real-world experience and expertise to help students and faculty learn, succeed and thrive. Students currently enrolled in a college or university (graduate or undergraduate degrees) may become a member for $49USD/year. We invite students to become part of IDA and join us in creating prosperous and livable urban places for all! To review the benefits of Student membership, click here. Ready to join? Please get in touch with Allison Shashok, Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Operations.

To review the benefits of Academic membership, click here. These features and benefits give your institution a direct resource to contribute to your urban curriculum and give your students a jump-start on their career in place management for $1,000USD/year. The college or university maintaining an Academic membership must designate a current employee (not a student) affiliated with the institution to serve as the point of contact for the membership. If you have questions about enrolling your university or college, please contact Allison Shashok.

What Members are Saying

“Since the age of sixteen, I’ve followed IDA’s research and publications with the aspirations of one day joining the network of city-building experts. I kept my finger on the pulse of industry-wide trends, and was equipped to address issues with the support of both the IDA network and professional staff.”
— Gabriel Yeager, Director, Placemaking & Events, DTLA Alliance