2026 State of Downtown: Past. Present. Future.

The Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) brought together more than 300 business, civic and community leaders for its fifth annual State of Downtown Breakfast & Awards on Friday, June 5, 2026. A celebration of downtown Spokane and review of the development and investment projects making a lasting impact on the city center, State of Downtown also provided the platform for the DSP to announce a new downtown public art project in partnership with Spokane artist Chris Bovey. The program featured the annual State of Downtown presentation by DSP President & CEO, Emilie Cameron, remarks from Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, and a keynote address from nationally recognized entrepreneur and marketing executive, Julia Huang, founder and CEO of Intertrend Communications. The DSP also presented the 2026 Legacy Award to the Lilac Bloomsday Association in recognition of its 50-year legacy of community impact and civic pride and 2026 Impact Award to Clearwater Paper Corporation for its continued investment in downtown Spokane, including its recently opened new headquarters space. The event also marked the 30th anniversary of the Downtown Spokane Partnership's management of the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), the 80-block self-financing district that funds services and improvements that enhance existing municipal services and cultivate economic vitality downtown. 00:00:00 Introduction 00:13:38 2026 Legacy Award: Lilac Bloomsday Association 00:21:48 State of Downtown Address 00:37:09 2026 Impact Award: Clearwater Paper 00:42:32 Mayor Lisa Brown 00:56:31 Keynote Speaker: Julia Huang 01:13:58 Vintage Alley