Join Downtown Cleveland and IDA for the Operations & Economic Development Summit on May 7-9, 2025. This year's theme, Cultivating Connections, will explore how strong stakeholder relationships are essential to successful projects, including converting underutilized real estate to housing, attracting and retaining businesses, developing vibrant commercial corridors, creating worldclass public space activations, improving clean and safe services, addressing homelessness, and developing and connecting waterfronts.
We invite you to submit session proposals by Tuesday, December 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.
- 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, CTP, CMSM, Director of Professional Development at carolyn@downtown.org
Deadline: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 11:59PM PT. 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 an idea or panel session does not guarantee selection. CDA and IDA reserve the right to select ideas 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.