2023 Moments of Magnitude for Downtown Phoenix Inc.

The year 2023 proved that Downtown Phoenix is a place for opportunity.  

Here at Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI), we activated Downtown for Super Bowl LVII, launched a new fair, hosted a neighborhood clean-up, and welcomed dozens of new businesses to the city. 

Our mission has always been to facilitate collaboration, cultivate connections, and contribute to both the growth and vitality of our DTPHX community. From the Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors and Clean + Green Teams, you see in the field to the Events, Marketing, Business Development, and Community Engagement teams behind the scenes. 

Here are just a few of the most notable moments, events, and experiences that we played a part in bringing you this year:

Phoenix Hosted Super Bowl LVII   

In February, Super Bowl LVII presented DPI with an opportunity to show off our impeccably clean and imminently welcoming Downtown neighborhood to a global audience. Downtown Phoenix was the epicenter for Super Bowl-related events, including the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center, Super Bowl Opening Night, the NFL Honors Annual Awards Show, Super Bowl Music Fest, and the Super Bowl Experience at Hance Park. More than 350,000 Super Bowl fans arrived in Downtown Phoenix, and nearly 10,000 visitors were assisted by DTPHX Ambassadors. On top of all that, about 727 Super Bowl LVII street pole banners were installed by DPI’s Clean + Green Team. DPI also partnered with City of Phoenix’s Office of Arts and Culture and Artlink Inc. for Kayla Newnam’s 190-foot “Welcome to Phoenix” mural on Adams Street between First and Second Streets. 

AZ Shop Like a Local Pop-Ups  

As thousands of visitors ventured to Downtown Phoenix for Super Bowl LVII events, it was prime time to shop like a local. DPI partnered with Arizona Center and the City of Phoenix to activate retail suites within Arizona Center with 15 hyperlocal, state-centric vendors. Shoppers had their pick of clothing, jewelry, art, souvenirs, fashion accessories, books and more. In addition to activating the Arizona Center with shopping opportunities, DPI worked with the beloved local apparel brand State Forty-Eight to host a pop-up suite near the Phoenix Convention Center. An Arizona Center pop-up vendor went on to open a brick-and-mortar store and restaurant, Latha and Diaspora Collective, at Heritage Square. 

DPI Signature Events: Urban Wine Walk and Urban Ale Trail  

This year, we hosted the 11th annual DTPHX Urban Wine Walk and with 28 participating businesses, it was our largest to date. In October, we hosted our much-anticipated DTPHX Urban Ale Trail but with a spooktacular twist. Since the event date fell on Halloween weekend, we encouraged everyone to dress up in their favorite costumes. All the while, you sipped and noshed your way around Downtown Phoenix, tasting some of the city’s best wine, beer, and food.

Inaugural DTPHX Wellness Fair 

The fantastic weather in April was the perfect time to activate Civic Space Park. Our DTPHX Wellness Fair nourished your mind, body, and soul with an afternoon of self-care, free workouts with F45 Training and OrangeTheory Fitness, and more than 25 local vendors. Wellness Fair offered Downtowners a space to learn, connect, and explore new approaches to their well-being.

Flock’s First Neighborhood Clean-Up  

DPI’s volunteer program, The Flock, held its first neighborhood clean-up event. Together, we cleaned trash and debris from the streets of the Garfield Historic Neighborhood. The event was sponsored by Phoenix Community Alliance Member, Truelieve, and Downtown grocery store staple, Fry’s Food Stores.

Working to End Homelessness

In continued collaboration with the City of Phoenix, DPI’s two dedicated Outreach Navigators were responsible for 354 positive exits from Downtown through November of this year. Those individuals were connected to services that could prevent them from returning to homelessness. DPI also launched the We’re in This Together campaign in February to help provide community resources to people experiencing homelessness or local businesses looking for ways to help. Coming in 2024 is a brand new community resource hub in CityScape that will serve as a touchdown space for various community outreach groups, like City of Phoenix’s Community Assistance Program (CAP), the Downtown Operations Unit for the Phoenix Police Department, Upward and Onward, Valley Metro security and information, and the DTPHX Ambassadors, for easy deployment into the Downtown Core.

So Many New Businesses  

It’s no secret that Downtown Phoenix is growing. In 2023, the city welcomed more than 30 new bars and restaurants. New businesses included Latha, Quartz, Que Sazon, Rosso, Chocolate Bash, Bad Jimmy’s, and more. Your new favorite place for every occasion is now in Downtown Phoenix.

A Downtown Phoenix Lotería Game  

We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a Downtown Phoenix-themed Lotería game. In the activation’s second year, over 30 businesses participated, and 20 local Indigenous and Latin artists created the artwork for the game. Special thanks to PCA Member Xico Inc. for sourcing the talent and pairing each of the businesses with an artist to create a beautiful, custom piece of art. New this year, players could take home their own DTPHX Lotería game if they finished their tabla. To celebrate the kick-off of Lotería week, we hosted a festive celebration with the artists, their supporters, and the community at Xico Inc. and BARCOA.

Two New Sponsored Events – Taste of Japan and Spirits of Mexico   

This year, DPI sponsored two events that were brand new to Phoenix. Taste of Japan and Spirits of Mexico were hosted at Heritage Square Park. Anime lovers and foodies united at Taste of Japan, and guests got to experience the food, drinks, and culture of Chihuahua, Mexico, at Spirits of Mexico.

Downtown was a Winter Wanderland  

Downtown Phoenix was transformed into the third annual Winter Wanderland, a full day of free progressive holiday performances, over-the-top holiday lights, décor, delicious food, drinks, and merriment. We spent the day celebrating Downtown’s rich performing arts, history, and culture. The family-friendly event included a chef demo, visits with Santa, and a movie in the park.

We hope all your visits Downtown over the past year were memorable and evoked a sense of pride. We can’t wait to tell you what we’re working on next.

A huge thank you to everyone we’ve worked with this year. We couldn’t do it without you. See you Downtown in 2024!

Want to know what’s coming to Downtown Phoenix next? Sign up for our weekly DTPHX Insider newsletter here: www.dtphx.org/subscribe