Press release from the Downtown Improvement District:
DID bids farewell to Marketing & Events Director Courtney Tritch
(March 3, 2010) The Downtown Improvement District (DID) announced today that Courtney Tritch has resigned her position as DID Marketing & Events Director. Tritch will continue to work in downtown Fort Wayne as she assumes the newly developed position of Communications Manager at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEIRP) as of March 22, 2010.
Tritch returned to Fort Wayne in 2007 after working in Chicago for seven years. She began her tenure at the DID in January 2008, and since then, has worked to expand awareness of downtown events while simultaneously creating new and improved DID event programs. She is responsible for creating memorable, well-attended events including last year’s BuskerFest and Mardi Gras and the first event of 2010, Drop Your Avant Garde, a new “pop-up” art and entertainment event on Calhoun Street. Her efforts at targeting events toward specific demographics like young professionals, the arts community, and families, resulted in attracting over 33,000 people to downtown Fort Wayne last year alone.
She has increased press coverage and expanded marketing efforts online and in social media, while significantly reducing the marketing dollars spent by the DID. She has also put into place key metrics to track event and marketing success over the coming years.
Most recently, she has been honored by the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce as a nominee for the 2010 ATHENA Award. ATHENA honors individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession, provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.
“The Downtown Improvement District has benefitted greatly from the professionalism and creativity that Courtney brought to downtown events of all types and scales,” said Rich Davis, DID President. He noted that Tritch has worked hard to bring a new level of planning, management, and marketing not only to DID-produced events but also to events in which DID is a partner with other community organizations, such as HolidayFest and Fright Night. “DID’s events are intended not only to bring people downtown, but also to benefit those participating businesses and institutions who are the downtown stakeholders,” said Davis. “Courtney’s work has been key to making that happen.”
“I have enjoyed the challenge of working to improve downtown Fort Wayne and now look forward to utilizing my experience to affect change on a regional level,” said Tritch.