Earlier this month, members of the Downtown Tulsa Partnership team had the privilege of joining the 71st Annual Conference & Marketplace hosted by the International Downtown Association (IDA) and DowntownDC Business Improvement District in Washington, D.C. As proud members of IDA, we were thrilled to learn, connect, and share ideas with peers from across the nation and beyond who are all working to make their downtowns stronger, safer, and more vibrant.
From the start, the conference was inspiring. The opening reception at the stunning National Building Museum featured an exhibition dedicated to the work of downtown organizations. We were honored to see our very own “Shop Downtown” holiday initiative highlighted among these creative programs. Even more exciting, one of the photos captured by our Communications and Marketing Manager, Cassie Williams, was featured in the exhibition, showcasing how our digital campaigns support local businesses and encourage shopping downtown.
Throughout the week, our team attended engaging sessions, explored the incredible monuments and neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., and exchanged ideas with colleagues who share our passion for building thriving downtowns. We even had the chance to connect with our friends from Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership, learning more about their districts and approaches to safety—all while sharing pasta, laughs, and community.
A highlight of the conference was our CEO, Brian Kurtz, leading a session titled “Enough Planning Already! Moving from Talk to Action.” Brian shared how DTP works to ensure planning efforts don’t just stay on paper but move quickly into implementation. Drawing from case studies, he highlighted the processes and tactics that have allowed us to shift conversations into investment strategies and tangible improvements in Downtown Tulsa.
In addition to leading this session, Brian was re-elected to a second three-year term on IDA’s Board of Directors and will serve as chair of the organization's education committee for the next year. We’re proud to see his leadership and Downtown Tulsa’s perspective represented on the national stage.
We returned home energized and full of new ideas, grateful for the opportunity to learn from so many talented downtown leaders. A big thank-you goes to IDA and Downtown DC BID for hosting such a meaningful and memorable conference.
Our team is excited to carry this momentum forward and continue building on the incredible work happening right here in Downtown Tulsa.