Downtown Detroit Partnership to Host Special Edition Fall Forum with Binational Leaders from Detroit and Windsor on October 15

The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) is set to host its annual Fall Forum: Special Edition on October 15, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Station at Michigan Central. This event, in collaboration with Michigan Central and the RIVER Collaborative, will bring together prominent dignitaries and leaders from both Detroit and Windsor, emphasizing the significance of the Detroit-Windsor region.

For over a decade, the Fall Forum has served as a key platform for real estate updates in Downtown Detroit. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Connections, Forging Futures Together,” aims to explore the collaborative efforts between the two cities as significant drivers of innovation and regional growth. Eric B. Larson, CEO of DDP, stresses the importance of showcasing the transformative effects of regional collaboration and infrastructure development on shared futures.

The program will commence with opening remarks from Larson and Colin Bird, the Consul General for Canada in Detroit. Larson will present the 2025 Downtown Detroit Development and Community Update Binational Edition, which includes essential insights and developments pertaining to both cities. Each attendee will receive a copy of this publication, which highlights significant projects, such as the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

In a notable addition to this year’s agenda, Gordon Orr, CEO of Invest WindsorEssex and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, will share a regional real estate update focusing on Windsor’s evolving significance. Bird remarks on the value of the forum, emphasizing its role in uniting thought leaders for practical partnerships that stimulate investment and innovation across both regions.

Mary Culler, Chair of Michigan Central and DDP Board, is set to moderate a panel titled “Cross-Border Catalysts: Navigating the Present, Shaping the Future.” Panelists include notable figures such as Dr. Steven Kalkanis, M.D., and Yvonne Pilon, who will discuss pressing issues and opportunities facing both regions.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens are also scheduled to speak, offering insights into the advantages of regional cooperation. Additional speakers include prominent leaders from various sectors, including Josh Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central, and Charl van Niekerk, CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.

The event will also showcase innovative companies from the Detroit-Windsor region through an Innovation Showcase, further highlighting the technological advancements shaping the binational economy. Attendees will have opportunities to engage with real estate developers exhibiting current projects.

Sirefman emphasizes the importance of collaboration and connection among the diverse set of partners, underscoring how such gatherings are crucial for accelerating growth in the region.

Registration and networking will take place from 8 to 9 a.m., with the formal program beginning at 9 a.m. This year’s sponsors include Michigan Central, KPMG, and the City of Windsor among others.

The DDP has been a pivotal entity in fostering social and economic development in Downtown Detroit since 1922, aiming to create a vibrant urban core through collaboration with various community stakeholders.

In summary, the Fall Forum represents a significant opportunity for leaders in Detroit and Windsor to unite and promote cross-border initiatives that harness their shared economic potential while fostering community growth and innovation.