Annual meeting to focus on opportunities and trends to accelerate downtown revitalization
SACRAMENTO, CA (January 19, 2009)—The Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) will host the 11th Annual State of Downtown breakfast on January 22 at 8 am at the Memorial Auditorium. The annual meeting, which attracts more than 550 local business and community leaders, will feature the 2009 VIBE Award presentation, keynote address by Brad Segal president of Progressive Urban Management Associates, and Mayor Kevin Johnson's vision for 2009.
"For over a decade, the State of Downtown breakfast has set the local agenda for downtown revitalization. With the economic challenges ahead, it is important now more than ever to get ahead of the curve and accelerate our revitalization efforts downtown," said DSP Executive Director Michael Ault. "Last year, we made significant progress and celebrated the grand opening of several projects at key development sites. We need to build on that momentum in 2009."
State of Downtown keynote speaker Brad Segal will on focus on global trends affecting downtowns and implications for Downtown Sacramento. The presentation will offer information that can be used to chart a successful course through these troubled times.
"Despite the short-term challenges in the national and local economy, the long-term outlook for downtowns is very positive," said Brad Segal. "We have looked at major trends in demographics, lifestyles and global competition, and most of these trends strongly favor vibrant city centers such as Sacramento."
This year the DSP will recognize The Cosmopolitan with the 2009 V.I.B.E. award, which is presented annually to a Visionary Icon in Building Excellence and celebrates leaders in urban renewal. The Cosmopolitan was selected out of 13 V.I.B.E. award nominations for its dramatic transformation of the former Woolworth building at 1000 K Street into a vibrant, entertainment destination. In addition, the project embodies the spirit of public-private collaboration through the partnership between developer David S. Taylor Interests, the City of Sacramento, California Musical Theatre, and Paragary Restaurant Group.
About the State of Downtown Produced by the DSP, the State of Downtown previews downtown revitalization initiatives, and serves as a catalyst for exchanging ideas and prioritizing goals for the central business district.
In 2006, the State of Downtown earned distinction from the 1400 member IDA Association (IDA) and was presented a Merit Award for Organizational Communications at the annual IDA conference. The International Downtown Association has honored exemplary projects in the field of downtown revitalization for 23 years.
Tickets are still available for this event, but space is limited. Single tickets for table seating are $60. Single tickets for gallery seating are $35. Call 916-442-8575 or email dsp@downtownsac.org to purchase tickets for this event.
Contact: Lisa Martinez, Director of Marketing & Outreach , Work: 916.442.8575 | Cell: 916.612.9801 Jennifer Snyder, Marketing Manager, Work: 916.442.8575
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The Downtown Sacramento Partnership's mission is to establish downtown Sacramento as the vibrant business, cultural and entertainment destination in the Sacramento region through effective private-public collaboration to benefit residents, visitors and investors.