ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (May 9, 2023) — Rock Island Downtown Alliance (RIDA) Executive Director Jack Cullen was one of thirty selected by the International Downtown Association (IDA) for the 2023 Emerging Leader Fellowship (ELF) program. These senior staff members hail from 25 cities from around North America including Washington DC; San Diego, California; Moncton, New Brunswick; Rock Island, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Houston, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Alumni of the IDA Emerging Leader Fellowship program, launched in 2016, are fast becoming sought-after leaders for the future of city building worldwide.
Cullen spearheaded the Chamber’s partnership with the City of Rock Island to recently create the dedicated downtown organization, RIDA. He works closely with public officials and downtown stakeholders, including the RIDA Board of Directors, to manage the Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) and provide place management services for the betterment of downtown.
“The success of our Fellowship program underscores how critical this training is to our growing industry,” said David Downey, President and CEO of IDA. “This is the only program of its kind created specifically for urban place-management professionals. IDA is looking to further illustrate the importance of our industry by elevating leaders with the necessary skills to champion inclusive city building. Professional development remains a hallmark of IDA.”
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.
“This is an incredible opportunity from IDA, and it could not have come at a better time as we look to make a positive impact in downtown Rock Island through our new place management organization,” said Cullen. “I am eager to connect with downtown leaders from across North America and bring industry best practices back to the Quad Cities.”
“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 Downey. “With this program, we’re educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”
The program takes place June 4-9, 2023 in New York City. Professionals from several place-management organizations across the city provide technical in-the-field training. The event takes place at various locations throughout Manhattan with field visits provided by several local Business Improvement District leaders.
Learn more about Cullen’s place management efforts in Rock Island on Downtown Rock Island’s website. For more information about this year’s cohort, visit IDA’s website.
About the Rock Island Downtown Alliance
The Rock Island Downtown Alliance (RIDA) formed in 2023 as a joint effort between the public and private sectors to strengthen livability and quality of place in downtown Rock Island. RIDA, an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber, partnered with the City of Rock Island to staff, manage, and implement Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) programs. RIDA’s vision: Downtown Rock Island is a vibrant, welcoming, and prosperous place to live, work, play, eat, and shop.
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 downtown.org.
