Beyond the Itinerary: Helping Sacramento Leaders Connect with Detroit
Some of our favorite projects bring leaders from other cities to Detroit to learn from the people, places, and partnerships shaping our communities. These leadership exchanges are an opportunity to share ideas, build relationships, and bring new perspectives home to help shape the future of our cities.
In September, we partnered with the Sacramento Metro Chamber to help plan and host their annual Study Mission, bringing a delegation of business, civic, and regional leaders from Greater Sacramento to Detroit to learn about innovative approaches to economic development, civic leadership, and community building. For their 2026 trip, the focus was on three themes:
Civic Innovation: Public-private partnerships, adaptive reuse, and community-centered development.
Cultural Innovation: Arts, culture, sports, and public spaces as drivers of economic growth and civic pride.
Business Innovation: Technology, mobility, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration.
City Institute served as a local partner throughout the planning process and visit. We worked with the Chamber's planning committee to help shape the itinerary, recommend stops and speakers, make introductions to Detroit leaders, and connect the experiences to the delegation's goals.
“City Institute made planning our Detroit Study Mission so much easier and helped us connect with the city on a much deeper level than we have on other leadership trips. Their knowledge of Detroit, relationships with local leaders, and ability to connect the dots between stops made all the difference. We came away with a much better understanding of Detroit and ideas we can bring back to Sacramento.”
We kicked off the trip with a presentation from City Institute President Jeanette Pierce, providing historical context about Detroit and helping participants better understand the city's transformation. We also led small-group walking tours on Belle Isle and provided on-the-ground expertise throughout the visit.
One of the highlights was a customized Detroit in Context Learning Journey focused on civic innovation. With two expert guides, the group visited the Detroit Riverfront, AC Hotel and historic Bonstelle Theatre, and La Joya Gardens in Southwest Detroit. Along the way, we connected participants with local leaders to discuss public-private partnerships, adaptive reuse, and investment without displacement.
Throughout the rest of the Study Mission, City Institute continued to provide guidance and connections, helping the Chamber bring together speakers and experiences that showcased Detroit's work in arts and culture, economic development, mobility, and technology.
That's what makes these exchanges so valuable. Every city faces similar challenges, but the approaches and partnerships behind the solutions can look very different. By bringing leaders together to hear directly from the people doing the work, we can help communities learn from one another and think differently about what's possible back home.
Itinerary Stops + Speaker Connections
Belle Isle One of Detroit's most beloved public spaces, with a rich history and important role in the city's identity. City Institute led small-group walking tours near the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, introducing participants to Detroit's waterfront, history, and public spaces.
Detroit Riverfront A nationally recognized example of how public-private partnerships and long-term investment can transform former industrial waterfront into accessible parks, trails, and gathering spaces. Participants learned how the riverfront's transformation has connected neighborhoods, attracted investment, and created a major public asset.
AC Hotel & Bonstelle Theatre A historic preservation and adaptive reuse project demonstrating how thoughtful redevelopment, innovative financing, and partnerships can bring new life to existing buildings. The stop highlighted the role of catalytic investment in strengthening downtown neighborhoods.
Investment Without Displacement Conversation A discussion featuring leaders from the City of Detroit, Joe Louis Greenway, and Live6 Alliance about supporting neighborhood investment while protecting existing communities. The conversation connected equitable development, small business growth, community wealth, and the importance of local leadership.
La Joya Gardens – Southwest Detroit A mixed-use affordable housing development demonstrating how community partnerships and neighborhood investment can support both residents and local businesses. Participants heard from the Southwest Detroit Business Association and a local business leader about community-centered development and revitalization.
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation A world-class museum celebrating American innovation and ingenuity, providing a setting for conversations about creativity, culture, and regional identity.
College for Creative Studies A leading art and design institution where conversations with leaders in arts, sports, and economic development highlighted the role of creative industries in attracting talent and strengthening communities.
Eastern Market After Dark An annual celebration of Detroit's creative community, bringing together art, music, small businesses, and public spaces in one of the city's most historic commercial districts.
Michigan Central & Newlab A landmark redevelopment and growing innovation ecosystem bringing together startups, researchers, businesses, and community partners to advance mobility, technology, and entrepreneurship.