Momentum is building in downtown Spokane. The Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) will welcome business and community leaders from across the region on Friday, June 5, 2026, for the 2026 State of Downtown Breakfast & Awards, a signature annual gathering celebrating the vision, partnerships and investments driving Spokane’s urban core forward.
Held at the Centennial Ballroom in the Spokane Convention Center, this year’s event carries special significance as DSP celebrates 30 years of service to downtown Spokane and three decades of transformative progress, resilience and revitalization in the heart of the city managing the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). From major development projects and investment activity to emerging trends, economic data and the evolving issues shaping downtown today, attendees will gain an inside look at the momentum redefining Spokane’s city center — while also hearing exciting announcements about upcoming projects with local artist Chris Bovey designed to energize and enhance public spaces across downtown.
“This year’s State of Downtown is about more than reflecting on progress — it’s about building excitement for Spokane’s future,” said Emilie Cameron, President & CEO of the DSP. “Downtown’s momentum is being fueled by collaboration, investment and a growing belief in what our city center can become. This event brings together the people helping move that vision forward.”
Featuring an annual state of downtown report by Cameron, the program will also feature a downtown-focused address by Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown and keynote speaker Julia Huang, founder and CEO of Intertrend Communications in Long Beach, Calif. Tickets are on sale now, and early reservations are encouraged for what has become one of downtown Spokane’s most anticipated annual events.
Huang is a nationally recognized entrepreneur and marketing strategist who has spent more than three decades building one of the nation’s most respected multicultural marketing agencies by focusing on a simple but transformative idea: understanding what truly matters to people and communities. Known for helping brands and cities, her perspective on leadership, culture, creativity and place-based identity will provide timely inspiration for Spokane leaders working to shape a downtown that is vibrant, economically strong and deeply connected to the people it serves.
The morning will also celebrate organizations whose impact has helped shape Spokane’s identity and strengthen downtown’s future. The 2026 Legacy Award will be presented to Lilac Bloomsday Association in celebration of its 50-year legacy of community pride, civic tradition and regional impact. The 2026 Impact Award will honor Clearwater Paper for its continued investment in downtown Spokane, including the recent opening of its new state-of-the-art headquarters office that showcases the evolving future of the downtown workplace.
WHEN: Friday, June 5, 2026, Doors open at 8:15 a.m., with the program running from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Centennial Ballroom, Spokane Convention Center
TICKETS: DowntownSpokane.org, DSP Members, $65; Non-members $75; Tables $750; (Processing Fees Apply); Sponsorships available
PRESS: For interviews and promotional materials, contact lizh@downtownspokane.org
More about our Keynote Speaker:
Julia Huang is the founder and CEO of Intertrend Communications, one of the nation’s leading multicultural advertising and marketing agencies based in Long Beach, California. A nationally recognized entrepreneur and strategist, Huang has spent more than three decades helping major brands and organizations better connect with diverse audiences through culturally relevant storytelling and community-centered marketing. Under her leadership, Intertrend has earned numerous industry accolades for innovation, creativity, and impact, while Huang herself has become a respected voice on leadership, inclusion, and the future of consumer engagement.
Read more about Julia in a recent interview from Entreprenuer.com’s Real Entrepreneurs Series.