73rd Annual Conference & Marketplace 2027

The International Downtown Association (IDA) will present its 73rd Annual Conference & Marketplace in Houston, Texas. Inspired leaders shaping cities from around the globe will convene and discuss emerging trends in place management and walk away with solutions to apply in their respective cities. The conference will explore how downtowns and city centres are shaped at the intersection of people, ideas and progress, celebrating the dynamic convergence of diverse disciplines, lived experiences, cultural identities and place-based expertise that define urban districts. Place managers, placemakers and place leaders of urban place management organizations constantly operate at crossroads --- balancing local identity with global change, built form with community needs and tradition with innovation. Whether navigating the emergence of AI, shifting political landscapes or reimagining inclusive public spaces, the conference will explore how working at these crossroads leads to more resilient, vibrant and equitable urban futures.