DFWI Staff Matt Beard Selected for IDA’s 2020 Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program
June 24,2020
IDA’s 2020 Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program Attracts Top Urban Champions
Fellows to learn essential leadership and place management skills
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FORT WORTH, TX – The International Downtown Association (IDA) selected Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.’s Director of Public Improvements, Matt Beard as one of 30 of the industry’s brightest professionals for the 2020 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) program. Matt is joined by senior staff members hailing from three countries and 17 provinces in the program.
Alumni of the IDA Emerging Leader Fellowship program, launched in 2016, are fast becoming sought-after leaders for the future of city building worldwide.
“The International Downtown Association is looking to build the future of our industry, and these accomplished executives are the rising stars of our profession,” said David Downey, President and CEO of IDA. “With this program, we’re educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”
The Emerging Leader Fellowship is a week-long experiential program bringing together a cohort of IDA professionals from within the urban district management industry. The fellows 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.
“Each year, the IDA Emerging Leadership Fellows are a select few chosen from downtown organizations around the world. They are the future of the downtown leadership and management profession and we are proud that DFWI’s Matt Beard will be in the next class, said Andy Taft, DFWI President. “We are also proud that Matt will be the third DFWI IDA Fellow in as many years.”
This program typically takes place each June in New York City. Due to the impacts of the current pandemic, this year’s cohort will received their intensive instruction delivered by IDA partners at Coro New York Leadership Center over a virtual platform. The group will meet in-person in the spring of 2021 where they will continue their learning with professionals from several business improvement district organizations across the city providing technical in-the-field training.
About DFWI
In the early 1980s, Fort Worth began the urban revitalization of its downtown central business district aided by a private sector voice, DFWI. A group of dedicated downtown property owners established DFWI in December of 1981. This membership-based, 501(c)(6) organization has evolved into a significant champion for progress and excellence in downtown Fort Worth. DFWI manages the Downtown PID.
About the International Downtown Association
The International Downtown Association is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. We represent an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit www.downtown.org.
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