Dublin Town to host the International Downtown Association’s 2026 World Towns Leadership Summit

Urban development specialists from around the world will be in Dublin this weekend to hear how the city plans to face its challenges head-on.

They will hear from Dublin Town CEO Richard Guiney that while Dublin City centre is at a pivotal moment in its history, following the publication of the report of the City Centre Task Force, “there are huge grounds for optimism.”

Dublin Town will host the International Downtown Association’s 2026 World Towns Leadership Summit taking place this Sunday, running until Wednesday.

The Summit will see place management leaders from around the world explore key city building issues and learn how different countries and cultures address challenges and explore emerging trends in the use of cities.

The conference will also hear of Dublin’s commitment to cutting-edge technology in the sustainability sector.

The event will move to Dundalk and Belfast from next Wednesday, until Friday, April 24.

Dublin Town represents over 2,500 businesses in the City centre and works to improve the commercial environment, promote it as a shopping and leisure destination, and run initiatives like its famed Christmas lighting and various annual festivals.

It also organises and supports other events aimed at enlivening the City centre for people of all ages.

Mr Guiney, together with Taskforce members, including Chair David McRedmond, the An Post CEO, will tell how the City Centre Task Force report, launched in late 2024, is a deliverable blueprint for the rejuvenation of the city centre.

Mr Guiney said the event is an opportunity to showcase the city and its progress towards rejuvenation, while gaining insights from 60 of the world’s top urbanists.

Dublin Town is the collective brand for the Business Improvement District (BID) in Dublin City centre.

It was established by Dublin City’s business community in 2007 following a vote of the ratepayers within the City centre district.

Its mandate has been extended following three further plebiscites in 2012, 2017 and 2022.

The conference will be attended by ‘place managers’ from across the globe.

These are professionals responsible for the holistic improvement, coordination, and day-to-day operations of a specific geographic location, such as city or town centres, or business districts.

“I will be welcoming a diverse cohort and sharing in-depth research and presentations on Dublin and global cities, aimed at initiating deep discussion, while exploring real-world professional practice challenges,” said Mr Guiney.

“Throughout the western world, the Business Improvement District model has played a vital role in city rejuvenation, bringing the public and private sectors together in common cause.

“While Dublin City centre has its challenges, we firmly believe that with continuing public-private co-ordination it can address these and build on the city’s many strengths.

“The City Centre Taskforce, in which Dublin Town participated, provided a robust road map for achieving our collective ambition for the city.

“We firmly believe that Dublin City centre’s best years lie ahead.”