DDP 2025 Fall Forum: Special Edition

On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, join the Downtown Detroit Partnership at Michigan Central for a powerful half-day convening that puts the Detroit–Windsor region in the global spotlight.

Fall Forum: Special Edition, in partnership with Michigan Central and the RIVER Collaborative will gather top leaders from the State of Michigan, City of Detroit, City of Windsor, and the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority—along with real estate developers, innovators, and other changemakers—around one shared goal: shaping the future of one of North America’s most dynamic cross-border regions. The theme of this year’s event is Celebrating Connections, Forging the Future Together.

As part of an exciting line up of city, state, and country leaders are Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.

Through keynote conversations, real estate development updates, and expert speakers, we’ll explore how transformative projects like the Gordie Howe International Bridge are unlocking new opportunities in trade, real estate, mobility, and innovation. Attendees will be the first to receive DDP’s 2025 Downtown Detroit Community and Development Update, featuring exclusive binational market insights and Windsor development highlights.

With unmatched networking, big-picture vision, and actionable intelligence, this is the can’t-miss event for anyone invested in the growth and competitiveness of Detroit, Windsor, and beyond.

Space is limited—secure your seat and be part of the conversation that’s shaping the next century of regional prosperity. If you’re having trouble purchasing your ticket(s) below, click here to go directly to the Eventbrite listing. 

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Attendees will hear from:

• Mayor Mike Duggan, City of Detroit
• Mayor Drew Dilkens, City of Windsor
• Eric B. Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
• Colin Bird, Consul General for Canada in Detroit
• Gordon Orr, CEO of Invest WindsorEssex and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
• Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy, Chair of Michigan Central, and DDP Board, Executive Committee Member
• Josh Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central and DDP Board Member
• Steven Kalkanis, M.D., Executive Vice President of Henry Ford Health, CEO of Henry Ford Hospital, and CEO of the Henry Ford Medical Group
• Yvonne Pilon, CEO of WEtech Alliance
• Britany Affolter-Caine, Ph.D., Executive Director of Research Universities for Michigan (RU4M)
• Andy Doctoroff, Senior Vice President of Program Management, WSP
• Charl van Niekerk, CEO of Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
• Arun Rao, Senior Director, Network Development (Central Region), Amtrak
• Special closing keynote – Senior Public Official

Thank you to our Fall Forum sponsors: Michigan Central, City of Windsor, WSP, KPMG, CoStar, and AECOM.

For information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Soula Burns at Soula.Burns@DowntownDetroit.org.

If you’d like to become a DDP Member, please contact Cristina Ancog at Cristina.Ancog@DowntownDetroit.org

For general inquiries, please contact Rory McMaster at Rory.McMaster@DowntownDetroit.org