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UNESCO North American Creative Cities Convening

Welcome to Detroit

On behalf of the Design Core team and the United States’ first & only UNESCO City of Design, we are thrilled to welcome you to Detroit for the Spring 2025 North American UNESCO Creative Cities Convening.

ブランドをデトロイトに持ち込みましょう

Bring your brand to Detroit!

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Detroit City
of Design

Design Core Detroit
As the stewards of Detroit's UNESCO City of Design designation, Design Core is thrilled to welcome you to our beloved home. Design Core is an economic development non-profit dedicated to fostering a vibrant design economy by connecting creatives, businesses, and communities to opportunities, resources and each other.

 

Our Vision
We envision a future where design is a catalyst for a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous Detroit. Our work aims to create a city where designers, businesses, and communities can collaborate, grow, and shape the future together. 

ブランドをデトロイトに持ち込みましょう

Bring your brand to Detroit!

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Your Stay in Detroit

The Detroit Foundation Hotel will be your home base during your stay in Detroit.

Built in 1929, this five-story landmark stood as the heart of the Detroit Fire Department for over 80 years. A shining example of Detroit's many architectural adaptive reuse projects, the building's design honors its history, while looking towards the future.

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Your Pecha Kucha Presentations

Learn about Pecha Kucha

Accessibility 

Design Core Detroit is committed to making this event accessible and welcoming to all.  Please let us know if you or your team require any additional accommodations.

Live Transcription Services

BeAware Deaf Assistant:  An advanced communication tool for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community with unique features.

Live Translation & Captioning

Conference Live Captioning:  Transcribe and translate speaker’s talks in real time.  We will organize a dedicated group program for attendees.

Mobility Accommodations

Please see this list for a detailed breakdown of accessibility information at each of the locations you will be visiting.

Daily Agendas
    • 2:00 - 5:00PM Optional tours / meetings, based on arrival times and creative interests   

             (Design Core will recommend and help set up, upon request)
     

    • 5:30PM Meet in Detroit Foundation Hotel Lobby to walk to Campus Martius (0.3 mile walk)
      (Uber vouchers available for those who need accommodations)
       

    • 6:00 - 9:00PM Welcome Dinner with invited Creative Economy Stakeholders
      (313 Chalet, Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave)

    • 7:30 - 9:00AM Breakfast at Detroit Foundation Hotel with featured creative speaker                                              

             (Detroit Foundation Hotel, 250 W Larned St)

    • 9:00AM Meet in hotel lobby to board bus - note prompt departure at 9:00AM

    • 9:30 - 10:30AM Michigan Central Station visit

             (Michigan Central Station, 2001 15th St)

     

    • 10:30AM Meet outside of Michigan Central Station to board bus

    • 11:00 - 12:30PM Conference Plenary Session at College for Creative Studies (CCS)

    ​         (CCS Taubman Campus, 460 W Baltimore St)

     

    • 12:30 - 1:30PM Lunch with CCS leadership and faculty​

    • 1:30 - 3:30PM CCS studio visits at Taubman & Ford Campuses

             *subject to change*

             (CCS Taubman Campus, 460 W Baltimore St & CCS Ford Campus, 201 E Kirby St)

             CCS Shuttle transportation arranged between campuses

    • 3:30 - 3:45PM Break & walk to Detroit Institute of the Arts (0.1 mile walk)

    ​         *subject to change*

    • 3:45 - 5:00PM Detroit Institute of Arts visit

    ​         *subject to change*

            (Detroit Institute of the Arts, John R Entrance, 5200 John R St)

     

    • 5:00 - 5:30PM Break & walk to Drinks x Design at the Detroit Historical Museum (0.1 mile walk)

     

            (Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave)

    • 7:30 - 8:00AM Check-out of hotel & travel* to Detroit Design District

            (*Design Core will provide Uber vouchers to attendees)

     

    • 8:00 - 8:30AM Breakfast at Boyer Campbell Building in the Detroit Design District

            (Boyer Campbell Building, 6540 St Antoine St)

            Visiting Cities will be given opportunity to share their short presentations on creative economy initiatives in their respective cities.

    • 10:00 - 12:00PM Conference Closing Plenary Session

    • 12:00 - 1:30PM Lunch & Networking with invited Creative Economy Stakeholders

     

    • 2:00 - 5:00PM Depart to Airport or optional studio or cultural visits
       If you are interested in this option, please contact a Design Core representative to set this up prior to your arrival in Detroit.  Following your trip, Design Core will share out a digital wrap-up highlighting conclusions, including all presentation contributions and sharing city initiatives.

Details for your stay
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    Hotel

     The Detroit Foundation hotel is located at 250 W Larned St, Detroit, MI 48226 

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    Your Stay

    Thanks to the support of Visit Detroit, each city has a complimentary room for each delegate for the nights of Wednesday, June 4, 2025 and Thursday, June 5, 2025. 

    Incidentals, valet parking, additional nights and additional rooms will be the responsibility of each city. 

  • DTW > Detroit Foundation Hotel

    Arriving from Detroit Metro Airport

    Taxi, rideshare (uber/lyft) and rental cars available. 
    Please allow 30 minutes travel time from the airport to the hotel by car.  

    Participants are responsible for transport to and from the airport.

  • Transportation During Your Stay

    Design Core will provide transportation from the hotel to any events located outside of the downtown district.

     

    Accessibility Note: Transportation is available upon request for any individuals who may require such accommodations. 

  • Music

    Paramita Sound: 1517 Broadway, Detroit

    Cliff Bell's: 2030 Park Ave, Detroit 

Accessibility Information
  • Detroit Foundation Hotel

    • Public spaces: registration desk pathway, service animals are welcome, elevators, accessible guest rooms with 32″ wide doorways, accessible route from public entrance to accessible guest rooms

    • Guestrooms: deadbolt locks lowered, doors with lever handles, hearing accessible rooms and/or kits, convenience power at the bedside, wireless charging pad at the nightstand

    • Bathrooms: bathroom grab bars, bathtub seat, roll-in shower, adjustable shower wand, toilet seat at wheelchair height

    • For a full list of ADA amenities, please visit the front desk or call us at (313) 800-5500.

    Campus Martius Park

    • The Downtown Detroit Parks are ADA compliant and feature a number of amenities that offer accommodations for disabled individuals.

    • The 313 Chalet is 2 stories tall with a short flight of stairs accessing the 2nd floor. 

    • Entrances: Multiple accessible entrances are available from surrounding streets.

    • Pathways: Paved and generally smooth pathways throughout the park.

    • Seating: Accessible seating options will be available on the first floor.

  • Michigan Central (Station and surrounding development)

    • Entrances: All guest entrances are ADA accessible. Michigan Central does not provide wheelchairs. Please bring your own personal mobility aids.

    • ADA drop off: available at the East entrance triangle off 15th Street.  Visitors may drop off members of their party and park at the Bagley Mobility Hub. 

    • Restrooms: All restrooms are ADA accessible.

    • Service Animals: Michigan Central abides by the ADA regarding the admission of service animals based on their ability to perform a specific task. Animals regarded as comfort animals, therapy animals, companion animals or emotional support animals are not service animals as defined by the ADA. Therefore, they are not allowed at Michigan Central.

     

    College for Creative Studies

    • Entrances: Multiple accessible entrances are available from surrounding streets.

    • Pathways: Paved and generally smooth pathways throughout the park.

    • Seating: Accessible seating options will be available on the first floor. 

    • Elevators: ADA Compliant elevators are available for access to all floors.

    • Classrooms and Studios: Accessible seating and workspaces are typically available. Contact the Disability Services office for specific classroom accommodations.

    • Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are located throughout the building.

    • Disability Services: Contact the CCS Disability Services office for detailed information and to arrange specific accommodations.
       

    Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)

    • Entrances: Accessible main entrance with ramps and automatic doors are located on John R and Farnsworth Street. The Woodward entrance is not accessibility compliant. 

    • Elevators: Elevators provide access to all public levels of the museum.

    • Galleries: Wide pathways and accessible viewing heights for exhibits. Seating is available in some galleries.

    • Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are located throughout the museum.

    • Assistive Listening Devices: Available for some tours and programs. Inquire at the Welcome Desk.

    • Wheelchairs and Scooters: The DIA provides free wheelchairs and scooters to visitors.
      Please request a wheelchair or scooter from a Visitor Experience Associate upon arrival at our John R Street or Farnsworth Street entrances.

    • Service Animals: Service animals are welcome.
       

    Detroit Historical Museum

    • Entrances: Accessible main entrance with ramps or automatic doors.

    • Elevators: Elevators provide access to all public levels of the museum.

    • Exhibits: Wide pathways and accessible viewing heights for exhibits. Some interactive exhibits may have accessible components.

    • Restrooms and drinking fountains : Accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are located throughout the museum.

    • Wheelchairs: Adult-sized wheelchairs are available for use by individuals with limited mobility. Please ask a Visitor Experience Associate at the front desk. There is no cost, but users must leave an ID with museum staff.  Please note that The Meier Clock is not accessible by wheelchair.

    • Assistive Listening Devices: Currently, the Detroit Historical Museum does not have hearing assistance devices available to visitors at our museum locations. Closed captioning is available on most digital content in the permanent galleries.

  • Boyer Campbell Building

    • Entrances: The rear entrance of the building has an ADA compliant ramp. The entrance on St Antoine is not ADA compliant. 

    • Pathways: Paved and generally smooth pathways leading up to the rear of the building. 

    • Seating: Accessible seating options will be available on the first floor. The second floor is only accessible via stairs.

Video Gallery: Detroit City of Design

Welcome to Detroit!
Check out the videos below to learn more about our work in the city.

Thank you to our sponsors!
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Questions about your visit?

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