March 23 virtual event includes keynote speaker Josh Sirefman,
Ford Motor Company’s newly appointed CEO of Michigan Central
DETROIT – March 17, 2022 – The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) 2022 Annual Meeting, taking place March 23 at 10 a.m., will celebrate its 100th Anniversary and report on the organization’s achievements over the past 12 months. Community leaders, business professionals and city government officials will meet virtually to reflect on the DDP’s history and current impact. Josh Sirefman, Ford Motor Company’s newly appointed CEO of Michigan Central, will address the audience. Sirefman is the former co-founder and president of Sidewalk Labs in New York. This will be his first presentation to the Detroit community. Native Detroiter and DDP Board Member Nate Wallace, program director of the Knight Foundation, will address the audience and moderate a panel discussion on how DDP serves as a central resource for the city.
In 1922, a group of 13 business leaders created the Business Property Association, the precursor to what is now the DDP and the first organization of its kind in the country. The first meeting was at the offices of J.L. Hudson to address issues critical to the business community, including taxes and transit.
Today, the DDP takes an active role in developing, planning and placemaking decisions that increase the city’s economic prosperity. It works with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors to enhance Downtown’s appeal to businesses, residents and visitors, and provides direct services that make Downtown a cleaner and safer place. The DDP’s parks and public spaces program took center stage in 2021 and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting more than 1,600 outdoor events that engaged more than 4 million visitors.
“The DDP continues to build on the remarkable legacy of its predecessors by adapting to the needs of the community while setting an example for the country on how to authentically and honestly work together with our members and partners,” said DDP CEO Eric B. Larson. “When I think about the successes of the past year and the opportunities in the years to come, I am motivated by DDP’s immense responsibility to support the city and our constituents. There is a deep sense of pride for our accomplishments, and we look forward to sharing a few at the Annual Meeting.”
For more information about the DDP, please visit DowntownDetroit.org.
About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community. DDP is responsible for programming, managing and operating several of Downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces. For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org.
