Thought Leadership

January 15, 2026

I have mentioned this before; the Downtown Detroit Partnership is in the midst of its 23rd mayoral transition. Not surprising, given that the DDP – the city’s lead advocate – is 104 years old.  As with any . . .

December 19, 2025

Downtown Detroit, 2025 by The Numbers With nearly 31 million visits and 8.7 million unique visitors in 2025, Downtown Detroit remained incredibly active. As we look forward to 2026, let’s . . .

November 26, 2025

By Lila Asante-Appiah, Chief Administrative Officer Many organizations will say their employees are their greatest asset. But do they know what employees say about their workplace? That’s what the Top . . .

November 7, 2025

The Downtown Detroit Partnership extends its congratulations to Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield on her historic win. Not only is City Council President Sheffield the city’s first female mayor, but she is . . .

October 1, 2025

I’m not a betting man and I’ve never played the numbers. But if I did, my number would be 22. The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) was founded in 1922, and . . .

September 29, 2025

By Joshua Long, Data Program Director Working from the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s offices overlooking Campus Martius Park in the heart of Downtown Detroit, I have a front row view of the transformations . . .

July 31, 2025

As the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strives to create a truly sustained and vibrant Downtown, we understand that all cities constantly evolve, including Detroit. And as evolution occurs it must . . .

July 21, 2025

By Joshua Long, Data Program Director and Escarleth Ortega, Program Manager, Data & Marketing The Downtown Detroit Partnership’s Data Program, in collaboration with the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone, is . . .

June 26, 2025

The DDP joined the other DDP for a convening in our D last week. Can you guess the outcome? Sounds like a riddle, right? It’s better than that. The Downtown . . .

May 28, 2025

I recently had the pleasure of seeing “Good Night, and Good Luck” on Broadway. Whatever your political persuasion, there are themes in the production that resonate as strongly today as . . .

April 30, 2025

About a decade ago, I recall an article that said choosing a mayor may be more important than choosing a president. The author’s case was a good one. Cities drive . . .

March 27, 2025

The Downtown Detroit Partnership’s (DDP) mission is to cultivate economic and social impact in Downtown Detroit. That impact extends beyond Detroit’s borders, and most Metro Detroiters and even most Michiganians . . .