Join us in San Francisco for the 2025 West Coast Urban District Forum, March 12-14, 2025, co-hosted by The East Cut Community Benefit District, California Downtown Association and International Downtown Association. This year’s theme, Building Blocks for Downtown Renaissance, will focus on how place management organizations' stewardship, programming, arts and culture, innovation and transformation are key to reimagining our downtowns. The conference program will explore placemaking best practices, innovative retail reinvigoration programs, the use of AI in urban place management, and communication initiatives essential for fostering a downtown renaissance.
Come prepared to network with peers and engage in meaningful dialogue to support the development of downtowns into resilient, dynamic ecosystems. Be inspired by industry experts, visionary strategies, transformative discussions and practical insights that will empower you to drive positive change in your urban district.
We invite you to submit session proposals by Thursday, October 10, 2024
Submission details and topic guidelines are below.
Joint proposals including peers from multiple cities will be given higher priority for consideration.
Forum sessions should fit within the following topic areas listed below.
- Organizational Management and Leadership Development
- Economic Development strategies
- Public Space Management and Operations which includes Placemaking, and Activations, Public Safety, Mental Health, and Homelessness.
- Marketing, Communications and Events
- Policy and Advocacy
If you need assistance please contact Carolyn Dellutri, CAE, CMSM, CTP, Director of Professional Development at carolyn@downtown.org
Deadline: Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 11:59PM ET. To get started, please complete the form below. You can stop, save and return to work at any time before the deadline. When you've completed the form, please click 'Submit' at the bottom.
Please remember that speakers are required to register for the conference. Options for daily registration will be available.
Note: Submitting a panel session does not guarantee selection. CDA and IDA reserve the right to select submissions and speakers to fit the needs of our diverse audience.
The IDA Emerging Leader Fellowship is a week-long experiential program that brings together a cohort of IDA professionals from within the place management profession. The fellows will learn essential leadership and place management skills and gain practical tools in the areas of place-based economic development, the live-work-play experience, and public-private partnerships.
Who is eligible to attend?
This program is for mid-career place management professionals who are currently employed by a place management organization as a CEO new to the industry; a senior staff member in a large organization; or an executive director of a small to mid-sized organization looking to advance their skills. If you aspire to lead an organization one day, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss. Consultants or vendors who provide services to place management organizations are not eligible to participate in this program.
How are applicants accepted?
IDA is looking to create a diverse cohort of fellows with a variety of professional backgrounds, organization size, geographies and demographics. It is important to IDA that we are successful in our efforts to have a diverse cohort. Space is limited to 30 professionals. Attendees must be IDA members.
When, where and cost?
IDAELF25 will take place June 8-13, 2025 in New York City, NY. The program cost is $2,750 and includes expert speakers, program materials, meals each day and a subway pass for the week. Price does not include hotel, airfare, airport transfers, or any other incidentals you may incur.
Applications
Applications are due to IDA by October 22, 2024 at midnight ET. Applicants must complete several brief essay questions and submit the following:
- Two references who will provide letters of support,
- Updated resume and bio, and
- Recent high-resolution color headshot.
Please contact Carolyn Dellutri, CAE, CMSM, CTP IDA Director of Professional Development, at carolyn@downtown.org with any questions about the program.
How will I know if I’m accepted?
The final cohort will be selected by January 2025. You will be notified via email from Carolyn Dellutri, CAE, CMSM, CTP, IDA Director of Professional Development.
Details
Space is limited to 30 professionals. Attendees must be IDA members. The hotel accommodations and travel are at the expense of the attendee. Attendees will be required to stay at the IDA selected hotel during the week of the program. A room block has been secured by IDA and will be announced once attendees have been accepted and notified.
ELF Program
This program is a sample and subject to change.
Past ELF Cohorts
To see past Emerging Leader cohorts, click here.