Kris Larson is President and CEO of Central Houston, Inc., where he works with business, civic, and community leaders to advance the continued growth and vitality of Downtown Houston and the city’s urban core. As the former Board Chair of the International Downtown Association and a longtime leader in downtown and place management, his work spans economic development, public space, transportation, planning, advocacy, and the partnerships needed to build strong and resilient city centers.

Tim Tompkins is a longtime leader in urban place management and the founder of SharedCity, a consultancy focused on helping cities and downtown organizations create more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient places. Previously President of the Times Square Alliance, his work spans public space, economic development, arts and culture, placemaking, and the evolving role of downtowns in civic life.

Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs works to ensure Downtown Colorado Springs remains the economic, civic, and cultural heart of the region. Through economic development, placemaking, advocacy, events, public-space improvements, and support for local businesses, the organization brings together public and private partners to strengthen a vibrant and welcoming downtown.

Chelsea Gondeck is CEO of the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs, where she works to strengthen Downtown as the economic, civic, and cultural heart of the region. Her work spans placemaking, economic development, mobility, public space, and partnerships, including leading the award-winning transformation of AdAmAn Alley.

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District works to strengthen the heart of Washington, DC as a vibrant, welcoming, and economically thriving urban center. Its work spans public-space management and activation, economic development, hospitality, events, placemaking, and advocacy, bringing together businesses, property owners, residents, and civic partners to support the continued evolution of downtown.

Lukas Umana is Senior Director of Public Space Operations and Activations at the DowntownDC BID, where he leads work to create clean, safe, vibrant, and memorable public spaces. His work brings together placemaking, public art, events, hospitality, and creative partnerships to strengthen Downtown DC and demonstrate the economic and community value of great public-space experiences

Kimberly Bares is President and CEO of The Magnificent Mile Association, representing businesses, property owners, institutions, and attractions along Chicago’s iconic North Michigan Avenue. Her work focuses on economic vitality, placemaking, advocacy, public realm improvements, and strengthening the Magnificent Mile as a vibrant destination for Chicagoans and visitors alike.

Tampa Downtown Partnership works to cultivate a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming downtown through programs focused on economic development, public space, transportation, placemaking, and quality of life. Bringing together businesses, residents, civic partners, and community organizations, the Partnership helps shape Downtown Tampa as a connected and active urban center.

The City Renewal Authority leads the renewal of central Canberra, working across public space, development, placemaking, events, and community engagement to create a more vibrant and welcoming city centre. Its work spans places including Civic, Braddon, Dickson, Haig Park and the Acton Waterfront, with projects ranging from major streetscape improvements to grants, cultural programming and public-space activation.

The Downtown Toronto BIA Alliance brings together six of Toronto’s leading Business Improvement Areas to strengthen the economic vitality, public spaces, and cultural vibrancy of the city’s core. Through collective advocacy, urban innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, the Alliance works to ensure downtown Toronto remains a thriving, inclusive, and dynamic place to live, work, and visit.

The Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) serves the area south of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., using public art and creative placemaking as central tools for shaping the neighborhood’s public realm. Through murals, artist collaborations, temporary installations, and other creative interventions, SWBID brings color, storytelling, and a distinct sense of place to streets, sidewalks, and shared spaces throughout Southwest.

Kathleen Rawson is a place management professional with more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public space management, placemaking, and hospitality. Rawson currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for The Hollywood Partnership, the non-profit organization that manages the Hollywood Entertainment District, including the world-renowned Walk of Fame. Before her new role in Hollywood, Rawson served as CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) from 1997 to 2022.

The Hollywood Partnership is a non-profit organization that manages the public realm within the Hollywood Entertainment District (HED), which is a Property Based Business Improvement District (PBID). Simply, this means that the organization is funded by property owners within the district to provide enhanced services to promote the cleanliness, safety, beautification, and economic vitality of our neighborhood.

Our official mission is to enhance the appeal, vitality, and well-being of the Hollywood Community from the ground up.

Our vision is a Hollywood where experiences EXCEED expectations!

Chicago Loop Alliance represents the vibrant community and businesses that energize the Loop, making it a thriving neighborhood for all who visit, live, or work here.

Through programs, cultural initiatives, and partnerships, Chicago Loop Alliance brings people, investment, and opportunity to the Loop. As a member-based organization, we connect leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the nation’s largest central business district outside of Midtown Manhattan. Together with our affiliate, Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation, we create free cultural experiences that bring the neighborhood to life.

GBD Innovation Club is an international network bringing together the organizations, public authorities, business leaders, and experts responsible for some of the world’s major business districts. Built around the idea that global business districts face many of the same challenges—from economic competitiveness and changing patterns of work to sustainability, public realm, mobility, and the evolving role of central business districts—the Club creates a forum for sharing knowledge, comparing approaches, and developing new models for urban districts.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership — A nonprofit organization working to enhance and advance Downtown Pittsburgh as a vibrant, welcoming, and economically strong neighborhood. Through clean and safe services, public-space activation, events, marketing, advocacy, and economic development, the Partnership brings together businesses, residents, property owners, and civic partners to support the vitality of the city’s urban core.

Main Street America — A national network supporting community-led revitalization and the people working to strengthen downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Through the Main Street Approach, training, research, technical assistance, and a network of local programs, Main Street America helps communities build stronger local economies, preserve distinctive places, and create vibrant, welcoming centers of community life.

Developer and planner James Rouse helped reshape American thinking about downtowns, public markets, and urban gathering places. His vision of city life as a kind of ongoing festival—animated by people, food, culture, performance, and encounter—helped inspire projects including Baltimore’s revitalized Inner Harbor.

Molly Alexander is a downtown revitalization and economic development leader with more than three decades of experience across the public and private sectors. Through Imagine The Possibilities Consulting and her own retail businesses, she works with communities on retail, redevelopment, and downtown strategy.

Nolan Marshall III is a civic leader and place-management professional whose career spans public policy, economic development, and community building. Now President and CEO of Downtown Los Angeles’ Social District, he brings experience from New Orleans, Dallas, Vancouver, and two decades of work making cities work better for people.