About Downtown Madison, Inc.

Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI) was formed over 40 years ago to support a healthy and thriving downtown Madison. We are a not-for-profit advocacy organization that exists for and because of our over 450 members. A great region depends on a strong urban core, and that’s where we come in. We represent the interests of businesses, residents, and employees to ensure that our downtown is a great place to live, work, play, and visit.

DMI has played an instrumental role in the revitalization of downtown Madison. From supporting and advocating for the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and the Overture Center for the Arts to starting the Central Business Improvement District, DMI is a strong and active organization.

Downtown Madison, Inc.

MISSION STATEMENT

Make Downtown Madison an economically strong, inclusive, equitable, and vibrant place to live, work, and visit.

 

VALUES STATEMENT

DMI strives to be an inclusive organization committed to respect and generosity of spirit. We believe that diversity strengthens downtown Madison and our entire community and encourage our members to engage with, learn from, and develop an understanding of others. We expect behavior that exhibits respect for all people and supports these values at DMI gatherings.

History Timeline

1970s

1972

Central Madison Committee formed by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce

1972

Dane County Farmers Market

Helped start the Dane County Farmers’ Market

1974

Central Madison Council

Central Madison Committee spins off to form the Central Madison Council (CMC)

1978

State Street Madison WI

Managed the State Street Mall until handed over to the City of Madison

1980s

1980

Paddle and Portage

Started the annual “Paddle & Portage” canoe race

1983

CMC membership reaches 180

1984

DMI Logo 1980s

CMC changes name to Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI)

1985

Downtown Madison Partners, Inc. (DMPI), the 501(c)3 arm of DMI was formed

1987

Frostiball

Started the annual Frostiball

1990s

1997

Monona Terrace

Produced the grand opening of Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center

1998

DMI Breakfast logo old

Launched the “What’s Up Downtown” Breakfast series

1999

Downtown Madison logos

Helped form Madison’s Central Business Improvement District

2000s

2000

Downtown Living Tours

Held the first of ten consecutive Downtown Living Tours

2003

DMI logo old

DMI membership reaches 341

2003

New Faces. New Places.

Launched the “New Faces, New Places” event series

2004

Lunchtime Live

Started the “Lunch Time Live” concert series

2006

Helped start the annual Freakfest Halloween event on State Street

2010s

2010

DMI logo

Unveiled new DMI logo

2010

State of the Downtown Report

Launched the annual “State of the Downtown” event and report

2012

Started the “New Member Coffee” series

2012

Downtown Madison Plan

Supported the creation and adoption of the City of Madison’s Downtown Plan

2013

Began the “Behind the Scenes” event series

2015

Nosh at Noon

Started the “Nosh at Noon” event series

2020s

2020

2021 DMI Annual Celebration photo

DMI membership reaches 480

2021

The Madison + Milwaukee Downtown Exchange logo

Launched “The Madison + Milwaukee Downtown Exchange” series in partnership with Milwaukee Downtown