Urban Exploration

The Downtown Denver Partnership believes that we can learn a great deal from the successes of other downtowns throughout the world. For this reason, we created the Urban Exploration Program in 2008, bringing city leaders and business leaders in Downtown Denver together to learn about the best practices of other cities.

The 2007 Downtown Area Plan – the 20-year vision for Downtown Denver’s development – provides the foundation upon which the trip is organized. In addition, the trip provides a wonderful opportunity for these community leaders to network and immerse themselves in an educational setting where they can learn about infrastructure, economic development, transit and transportation and public private partnerships in other cities.

2019 Urban Exploration Trip Details
Copenhagen, Denmark | Tuesday, June 11, 2019 to Saturday, June 15, 2019

The Downtown Denver Partnership will lead approximately 120 Downtown Denver business leaders, elected officials, and key City staff members on its 12^th annual Urban Exploration Trip to Copenhagen, Denmark. For our first trip abroad, the 2019 Urban Exploration program will look at Copenhagen through the three learning lenses of:

• Livability
• Equity
• Economic Innovation

The group will study Copenhagen’s inspirational story of how it got to where it is today; how it went from an auto-oriented city to one that prioritizes people first and acknowledges that growth and quality of life go hand in hand. The trip provides a wonderful opportunity for community leaders to network and immerse themselves in an educational setting where they can learn about city building principles.

Downtown Denver Partnership members in good standing and top-level business leaders involved in projects related to Downtown Denver and the implementation of the Downtown Area Plan are strongly encouraged to attend. Participants are expected to attend the entire trip.

The application is open until January 25, 2019.

For questions about the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Urban Exploration program, please contact Aylene McCallum.

Participant Fees

The registration fee for the 2019 Urban Exploration Trip is $5,500 (or $4,500 for nonprofit and government employees). The fee covers all programmed activities and nearly every meal during the formal trip itinerary, a private hotel room for four nights, staffing, briefing materials and transportation within Copenhagen.  The registration fee does not cover airfare, travel to/from the airport, meals before or after the formal trip itinerary, and incidentals like taxi fares and tips.

Guest Policy and Fees

Registered participants will have a special opportunity this year to register guests to attend limited portions of the trip. The registered guest fee will be $1,000 and will cover a room with the registered participant, all breakfasts at the hotel, and Urban Exploration evening programming, including dinner, on June 11th, 13th, and 14th. Registered guests will also receive a hospitality bag, credentials and a suggested list of activities to experience while in Copenhagen.

Partnership staff are still determining how many guests the organization can accommodate on the trip. Guest registration will occur in February once Urban Exploration 2019 trip participants have been confirmed. Please let us know if you are considering or interested in registering a guest, but know that this does not guarantee space for your guest on the trip. Guest registration will be confirmed in February.

Please remember that, due to space limitations, all guests are strictly prohibited from attending plenary and breakout sessions during the Urban Exploration itinerary. Guests who wish to attend these daily sessions MUST submit an application by the application deadline of January 25, 2019.

Travel Information

Please do not make travel plans until you have received a confirmation letter that you have been selected to attend the 2019 Urban Exploration trip.

Trip Itinerary & Important Dates

Urban Exploration 2019 Itinerary Overview.

Briefing meeting times and dates will be announced in February 2019.

Full Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be made in writing and emailed to Aylene McCallum.

Partial refunds of registration fees will be granted if written notification is given before April 30, 2019.

• A 20% cancellation fee will be charged for cancellations on or before March 29, 2019.
• A 50% cancellation fee will be charged for cancellations on or before April 30, 2019.

No refunds will be given after May 1, 2019.

2019 Urban Exploration Sponsors

Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available. If you are interested, please contact Aylene McCallum at amccallum@downtowndenver.com

Previously Explored Cities:

2018 – Los Angeles
2017 – Portland
2016 – Downtown Brooklyn
2015 – San Francisco
2014 – Seattle
2013 – Toronto
2012 – Chicago
2011 – Philadelphia
2010 – Vancouver
2009 – Washington, D.C.
2008 – Portland