Chicago Loop Alliance receives Downtown Merit Award for ACTIVATE
During its 62nd Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Atlanta this week, the International Downtown Association recognized Chicago Loop Alliance with a Certificate of Merit award for its work and initiatives related to ACTIVATE.
This year’s ACTIVATE series which explores a unique overarching theme of the five senses—touch, hear, smell, see and taste—through dynamic art, music and lights was among 16 qualified entries in the category of Events and Programming. This category features programs and events that improved the image and vitality of downtown and attract visitors and projects that communicate the vision, mission, function, and achievements of the downtown or business district association.
“This year, we wanted to take audience participation to a next level. We didn’t want attendees to only experience art; we wanted to encourage them to be immersed in it,” says CLA President and CEO Michael Edwards. “Each year, ACTIVATE continues to grow and evolve. We’re always thrilled to present a series of events to residents and visitors of Chicago who have attended in the past and to those who are experiencing it for the first time.”
“Chicago Loop Alliance’s project received the IDA Certificate of Merit for conducting best practice work in our industry of urban place management,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “ACTIVATE is a shining example of excellent downtown management delivering real value to the city.”
ACTIVATE is part of CLA’s Loop Placemaking Initiative—an expansive series of innovative public space activations throughout the Loop that continue the organization’s commitment to create, manage and promote high-performing urban experiences in downtown Chicago. Over the past two seasons,ACTIVATE has generated nearly $900,000 in estimated economic impact to Loop businesses, with more than 30,000 people in attendance over the course of the series.
Washington, D.C.-based IDA is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts.Chicago Loop Alliance is the urban place management organization representing the interests of property owners in Chicago and is a member of IDA.
About CLA
Chicago Loop Alliance the sole service provider for SSA1-2015, creates, manages and promotes high-performing urban experiences, attracting people and investment to the Loop. For more information, please visit www.LoopChicago.com.
About IDA
The International Downtown Association is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are city builders and 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 downtown.org or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.