The recent gathering of our IDA community in Chicago remains a brilliant memory for the 1,450+ attendees — a truly inspiring connection in the city where IDA was founded just a short 69 years ago. Recently, I’ve been fortunate to advocate directly with members at the IDA Canada Parliament Hill Day in Ottawa, speak to community stakeholders at Traverse City, Michigan’s Annual Toast to Downtown, and facilitate the LA Fashion District board retreat. Last week, it came full circle, back to focusing on our own annual conference while meeting with BIAs throughout Seattle during a recent site visit with the Downtown Seattle Association, host for our 2024 Annual Conference & Marketplace.
Throughout these weeks, personal discussions with IDA members illustrated a renewed passion, vision and commitment to address the myriad challenges of post-pandemic rebuilding. Members are energized to lift up their districts and communities through innovation and, at times, sheer determination like I’ve never seen before. They excitedly shared their work addressing the perception of public safety, supporting return-to-work conditions, and seeking solutions to assist our unhoused neighbors, all while continuing to prepare for and support the busy holiday season.
Our time in Seattle instilled great hope for the future as I witnessed a downtown clearly emerging from some of the most significant COVID-19 impacts. Gone from sight were anti-social activities present just a year ago. A renewed and palpable energy came back to life and grew throughout the city’s public spaces, cultural institutions, workspaces and retail entertainment locations. Soon, this extraordinary city will be home to IDA’s 70th-anniversary celebration in September 2024, where we will embrace the opportunity to acknowledge the rich history of the place management profession, so eloquently illustrated in Chicago, and begin further innovating for the future of our industry. This will undoubtedly mark the most significant place management event of the decade.
Just as the IDA members continue to prepare and support a busy holiday season ahead, so too is IDA preparing for a milestone year of programming. I invite you to share a gift – with both IDA and yourself – of deeper engagement with your professional association. Whether it be a proposal of a session for one of next year’s events; participation in a leadership program, Top Issues Council, or research initiative; submission for an IDA award; attendance at a spring forum; or sitting for an upcoming LPM certification exam, opportunities are abundant for you to share your talent and draw from the expertise of others throughout the IDA community. Just this week, a new and important survey is available to further understand your professional development needs. Please make this your next commitment and help IDA deliver the very best education opportunities that meet your needs and exceed your expectations as we innovate the rebuilding of our communities together.
I wish you all the very best and happiest holiday season. Thank you for your continued support of IDA!