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 570 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.
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
Helped start the Dane County Farmers’ Market
1974
Central Madison Committee spins off to form the Central Madison Council (CMC)
1978
Managed the State Street Mall until handed over to the City of Madison
1980s
1980
Started the annual “Paddle & Portage” canoe race
1983
CMC membership reaches 180
1984
CMC changes name to Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI)
1985
Downtown Madison Partners, Inc. (DMPI), the 501(c)3 arm of DMI was formed
1987
Started the annual Frostiball
1990s
1997
Produced the grand opening of Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center
1998
Launched the “What’s Up Downtown” Breakfast series
1999
Helped form Madison’s Central Business Improvement District
2000s
2000
Held the first of ten consecutive Downtown Living Tours
2003
DMI membership reaches 341
2003
Launched the “New Faces, New Places” event series
2004
Started the “Lunch Time Live” concert series
2006
Helped start the annual Freakfest Halloween event on State Street
2010s
2010
Unveiled a new DMI logo
2010
Launched the annual “State of the Downtown” event and report
2012
Started the “New Member Coffee” event series
2012
Supported the creation and adoption of the City of Madison’s Downtown Plan
2013
Began the “Behind the Scenes” event series
2015
Started the “Nosh at Noon” event series
2018
Launched the “Downtown Madison Happenings Podcast”
2019
Created the Downtown Madison Development Tracker
2020s
2020
DMI membership reaches 480
2021
Launched “The Madison + Milwaukee Downtown Exchange” series in partnership with Milwaukee Downtown
2023
Began the “Advocacy Update Series”
2024
Created the Downtown Madison Data Dashboard
2024
Started “The I.D.E.A. Series”
2025
DMI membership reaches 570