About the 2025 West Coast Urban District Forum
Join California Downtown Association (CDA) and the International Downtown Association (IDA) in San Francisco for the 2025 West Coast Urban District Forum, March 12-14, 2025, co-hosted by The East Cut Community Benefit District and The Downtown SF Partnership. This year’s theme, Building Blocks for Downtown Renaissance, will focus on how place management organizations’ stewardship, programming, arts and culture, innovation and transformation are key to reimagining our downtowns. The conference program will explore placemaking best practices, innovative retail reinvigoration programs the use of AI in urban place management, and communication initiatives essential for fostering a downtown renaissance.
Come prepared to network with peers and engage in meaningful dialogue to support the development of downtowns into resilient, dynamic ecosystems. Be inspired by industry experts, visionary strategies, transformative discussions and practical insights that will empower you to drive positive change in your urban district.
The East Cut Community Benefit District, a nonprofit, property assessment district formed in 2015, serves as the critical steward for San Francisco’s fastest-growing neighborhood. Covering over 40 blocks along the waterfront and South of Market, The East Cut is helping build a sense of community and pride in the city’s first truly mixed-use neighborhood, providing around-the-clock cleaning and safety services as well as managing the neighborhood’s park space. Home to many world-renowned companies and an ever-increasing residential population of all economic tiers, the district ensures a welcoming public realm, programs pop-up and permanent open space, and advocates for and markets the neighborhood to a wide audience. We look forward to seeing you in The East Cut!
The Downtown SF Partnership (DSFP), a nonprofit community benefit district, is dedicated to revitalizing San Francisco’s downtown core, encompassing the bustling Financial District and historic Jackson Square. Through innovative public–private partnerships, DSFP enhances the area by providing crucial cleaning and safety services, improving public spaces with creative placemaking and fostering a sense of community through public realm activations. In addition to these efforts, DSFP supports local businesses with economic development initiatives, marketing assistance, and programs that drive foot traffic and engagement. The Downtown SF Partnership is committed to creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for everyone. We look forward to your visit!
Attend the Event
WCUDF25 will be held at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, located at 5 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111 and at various locations throughout The East Cut and Downtown SF districts.
Get social! What questions will you come ready to ask? Share them on social media #WCUDF25.
Registration is now open for the 2025 West Coast Urban District Forum. In order to register for the event, you need to either have an account in IDA’s database or you must create one. If you previously registered for an event in the past, you should have an account in the database. All below prices are USD.
- Early Bird Rate until Wednesday, February 5, 2025: $375 Member | $475 Nonmember
- Standard Rate until Wednesday, March 5, 2025: $425 Member | $525 Nonmember
- On-site Registration Rate available Wednesday, March 12, 2025: | $475 Member | $575 Nonmember
Daily rates are available for Thursday:
- Early Bird Rate (Thursday only) until Wednesday, February 5, 2025: $275
- Standard Rate (Thursday only) until Wednesday, March 5, 2025: $325
- On-site Rate (Thursday only) until Wednesday, March 12, 2025: $350
Daily rates are also available for Friday:
- Early Bird Rate (Friday only) until Wednesday, February 5, 2025: $225
- Standard Rate Friday only) until Wednesday, March 5, 2025: $275
- On-site Rate (Friday only) until Wednesday, March 12, 2025: $300
Daily registration includes access to sessions, meals and/or receptions scheduled for the day of your attendance. Daily registrants are not eligible to attend activities outside their selected day. Session-only registrants are eligible to attend their session only.
CDA Members: If you are logged into the system and are not able to see the member pricing as noted above, please contact registration@downtown.org for assistance before proceeding with your event registration.
Cancellation Policy: Written notice of cancellation is required. Cancellations received via email by February 19, 2025, will receive a refund less a $100 processing fee. Cancellations received via email after February 19, 2025, will not be refunded. If a tour cancellation is received via email by February 19, 2025, there will be no penalty. Tour cancellations received via email after February 19, 2025, will not receive a refund. Refunds will be processed approximately 30 days after the event. Please email the cancellation notification to the International Downtown Association at registration@downtown.org.
Substitutions: Substitutions of complete registrations (including tours and/or workshops) are gladly accepted prior to the event start date. Please submit a written request to registration@downtown.org before Monday, March 10, 2025, at 3 pm ET to complete your substitution. Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant and must be transferred to an individual in your organization. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for all financial obligations (any balance due) associated with that substitution.
Adding a Pre-Conference Tour/Pre-Conference Workshop/Mobile Tour: Pre-conference workshop, pre-conference tours and/or mobile tours sell out quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to add these items at the time of your registration. If you are registering for someone else or a group, please find out their selection prior to registering them. Although each person within the group can purchase a tour after they have been registered, they run the risk of the tour no longer being available.
Payment Methods: For your convenience, payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Should you need to pay by check, you will not be able to complete registration online. Please email registration@downtown.org for assistance.
Outstanding Balance: Please note, if you have an outstanding balance for this event and/or tour(s), you will not receive your badge on-site or be allowed to attend tours until payment is received. Please contact registration@downtown.org prior to your arrival on-site to pay your outstanding balance.
By registering you are agreeing to IDA’s Event Agreement and Code of Conduct and IDA Attendee Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release Form.
The Program
Preview the 2025 agenda here (program is subject to change).
Hotel
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco, located at 5 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111, is offering a rate of $269 USD per night, plus tax, for a standard room for WCUDF25 attendees. Please book your room by Thursday, February 20, 2025 online. Valet parking is available at $85.00 per day at the hotel, with in-and-out privileges. Covered, public, self-parking is available at 3 Embarcadero Center, at $37 USD without in-and-out privileges.
About Hyatt Regency San Francisco Hotel
With its stunning California location, Embarcadero Center is literally at your feet. The hotel’s newly renovated guest rooms offer a sophisticated urban-modernist haven in downtown with superb amenities for a dynamic stay near San Francisco’s Embarcadero, along with other city hot spots such as Ferry Building and Union Square.
Don’t be Scammed by Third Party Housing Companies
The official hotel is listed above. Please beware of other companies soliciting hotel room “deals” over the dates of the event. Third party housing companies typically offer a higher rate than the official block rate. These companies’ cancellation policies are often harsh and unforgiving. IDA is not working with any third parties to offer attendees accommodation! If you receive a solicitation and are unsure whether or not it is legitimate, please contact Lul Teklit at Lul@downtown.org.
Travel
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is approximately 25-45 minutes (14.8 miles) from Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Taxi/Uber/Lyft is approximately $65 USD one-way, based on time of day. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is approximately 40 minutes, and available one-way for $10.55 USD or $13.55 USD, based on time of day. Depart from the SFO International Terminal, take the Antioch (Yellow line) train or Richmond (Red line) to Embarcadero Station, then walk approximately 7-minutes (0.3 miles) to the hotel.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is approximately 25-50 minutes from Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Taxi/Uber/Lyft is approximately $65 USD one-way, based on time of day. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is approximately 50 minutes, and available one-way for $12 USD, based on time of day. Depart from OAK and take the Coliseum (Beige line), transfer to Daly City (Green line) to Embarcadero Station, then walk approximately 7-minutes (0.3 miles) to the hotel.
For more information on the BART, please click here.
Certification
By attending the 2025 West Coast Urban District Forum, certified Leaders in Place Management will earn 8 credit hours toward the renewal of their LPM certification. Please visit downtown.org/certification to learn more about becoming certified or recording continuing education units.
IDA is an AICP credit provider. AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for sessions. When CM credits are available, they are noted in the program. IDA’s sessions provide an easy way for AICP certified planners to earn their CM credits.
Sponsors
Urban Champion
District Advocate
Ambassador
Join the California Downtown Association
CDA’s membership is diverse, representing hundreds of small businesses and property owners on main streets and in the historic downtowns and business districts. View CDA’s Membership website for more information.
Interested in Sponsoring?
Align your company with a strong network of placemakers to grow your business. Learn more.
Questions?
For assistance or further information about the conference, please contact the IDA registration team.