20th Annual Downtown Bozeman Partnership Annual Breakfast
Wednesday, May 20th, 2026
The Downtown Bozeman Partnership (DBP) hosted the 20th Annual Breakfast on Wednesday morning of May 20th, 2026 at the Kimpton Armory Hotel. This was the second year of the Kimpton graciously opened their doors to downtown community members, including business members, property owners, and downtown supporters!
The Annual Breakfast serves as an opportunity for socializing and for downtown supporters and members to receive updates on the DBP’s recent accolades, annual events and programs, and presentation of the Annual Downtown Bozeman Awards.
Attendees were also privileged to a keynote panel, “Downtown Bozeman: Up Close & Personal”! An interactive keynote spotlighting a dynamic, facilitated discussion with our Downtown Board Members.
The DBP is comprised of three major organizations, each with their own acronym and identity; the Downtown Bozeman Association (DBA), the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), and Urban Renewal District (URD).
The Downtown URD, founded in 1995, is the entity that invests in economic development and infrastructure upgrades.
The BID, founded in 2000, is the property owner group that oversees the beautification and maintenance of downtown.
The DBA, founded in 1980, is the business member organization that focuses on branding and marketing downtown Bozeman and hosts free annual community events.
So, in other words…
The URD helps construct the building blocks of downtown.
The BID keeps downtown attractive and vibrant.
The DBA brings thousands of people downtown to experience this great place.
Our DBP Team gave updates, summarized notable achievements for each organization, and welcomed a member of each of their boards to announce awards!
The morning’s keynote panel, “Downtown Bozeman: Up Close & Personal,” offered attendees a candid and often funny glimpse into the people helping shape the heart of downtown! Moderated as an interactive conversation rather than a formal presentation, the discussion brought together Downtown Board Members Babs Noelle of Alara Jewelry, Erik Nelson of The Nest Partners, Sam Rickenbaugh of The Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company, and Marley McKenna of McKenna/Adams Realty. Together, they reflected on the evolving identity of downtown through the lens of business ownership, redevelopment, hospitality, and community stewardship.
The conversation moved easily between heartfelt storytelling and honest conversations about growth. Sam Rickenbaugh shared the full-circle experience of purchasing the beloved toy store he once visited as a child, while Erik Nelson spoke to the balance between national recognition and maintaining an authentic, approachable downtown culture. Marley McKenna highlighted the often unseen impact of urban renewal investments, from historic street lamps to public gathering spaces, reminding attendees that many of downtown’s defining features exist because generations of leaders chose to invest in place-making long before it became a buzzword.
More than anything, the panel underscored a shared belief that Downtown Bozeman’s future depends on preserving what makes it personal. Whether discussing affordability, redevelopment, independent retail, or community connection, each panelist returned to the idea that downtown’s strength comes from the people who continue to show up for it every day. The result was a conversation that felt both deeply rooted in Bozeman’s history and optimistic about where the district is headed next.
In the words of our panelists, "Downtown Bozeman matters because... it is the heartbeat, the core, and where everyone wants to be!"
Cache Maples, DBP’s Program Director and Brynn Gestson, DBP’s Operations Manager, mainly work with the Downtown Bozeman Association (DBA) arm of the Partnership. The DBA stays incredibly busy managing Membership, Events, and Marketing throughout the year.
Membership continues to grow year over year and the DBA has an amazing Outreach Committee that helps us develop our benefits and resources for members! The DBA currently has 359 business members located in the downtown core and surrounding areas.
Attendees also heard about the DBA’s expanding outreach efforts, including a growing social media presence of more than 26K Instagram followers and highly engaged email marketing campaigns that significantly outperform industry averages. Downtown branding efforts continue to strengthen visibility throughout the district through printed directories, kiosks, marketing bundles, and the popular Overstreet Banner Program, which has supported 22 local Non-Profit organizations over the past year alone!
The presentation also celebrated the impact of downtown events, with the DBA now producing 15 unique annual events and more than 25 total event occurrences each year. From Art Walks and Music on Main to the newly expanded Main Street Trick-or-Treating event, organizers emphasized the importance of creating free, welcoming experiences that connect community members with downtown businesses.
The Downtown Dollars program was also recognized as an important economic driver, circulating approximately $100,000 annually back into local businesses while unveiling a refreshed design honoring Bozeman pioneer Rosa Beall.
Cache & Brynn presented the Downtown Cornerstone Business Award! This year’s Nominees were: Element Bozeman, ColorWorld Printers, & Chalet Sports.
The 2026 Downtown Cornerstone Business Award Recipient is: Element Bozeman
The Element has become one of Downtown Bozeman’s most consistent and enthusiastic community partners. They have been major supporters of many downtown events and programs including Music on Main, Ladies’ Night, Art Walks, and numerous Downtown Partnership initiatives.
But beyond sponsorships, Ashley Ogle, Mollie Bryan, and the entire Element team have built a culture centered around community involvement, positivity, and supporting local connection. They consistently show up for downtown, support fellow businesses, and give back through partnerships with organizations including the YMCA, Thrive, BYEP, and many other local nonprofits and community causes.
They represent exactly what this award was created to recognize: a business that not only succeeds downtown, but actively helps strengthen the entire downtown community.
Emily Cope, the DBP’s Economic Development Director, recounted the BID’s many successes over the last year.
The Business Improvement District (BID), established in 2000 and renewed in 2020, continues to play a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness, safety, and welcoming atmosphere of downtown Bozeman. Supported by more than 200 downtown property owners through a voluntary annual assessment, the BID funds many of the behind-the-scenes services that help downtown function smoothly year-round.
Attendees heard highlights of the BID’s extensive maintenance efforts, including trash and recycling services, graffiti removal, flower basket watering, parking garage cleaning, and the installation of seasonal decorations and streetlamp banners. The BID also continues to support public spaces such as Soroptimist Park and North Black Pocket Park, while partnering with organizations like Clean Slate Group, Oak Gardens, and the Bozeman Fire Department to help preserve and enhance the downtown experience.
The presentation also celebrated several longstanding downtown traditions, including the annual flower basket program and the beloved holiday “spiders” suspended above Main Street each winter. Recently refurbished and recognized with the 2025 Preservation Craft Award during the City of Bozeman Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony, the iconic decorations remain a symbol of downtown’s history and community spirit. New lighted garland and bows will also debut downtown this coming holiday season, continuing the BID’s commitment to creating a vibrant and inviting district year-round.
Emily bestowed the “Life is Downtown” Award. This award honors a person who has given a lifetime of service to downtown Bozeman. This year’s Nominees were: Ashley Ogle (Kenyon Noble & Element Bozeman), Mike Gran (Business Improvement District), & Amy Horton (The Baxter).
The 2026“ Life is Downtown” Award Recipient is: Mike Grant
Mike Grant embodies the spirit of service and stewardship that defines Downtown Bozeman. For over a decade, Mike has been a cornerstone of the downtown maintenance program, consistently ensuring that the district remains clean, welcoming, and well cared for. Mike also served as a BID Board member from 2009-2011.
Known for his reliability and positive attitude, Mike is often the first to show up when help is needed and never hesitates to lend a hand. His commitment to sustainability, from thoughtful recycling practices to organized daily work, reflects a deep respect for the community he serves. In addition to his role downtown, Mike also works at Bridger Bowl, further demonstrating his dedication to supporting the broader Bozeman community.
Widely known and appreciated, Mike is truly a committed community member whose impact extends far beyond downtown. He represents the very best of Bozeman through his work ethic, generosity, and genuine care for the places and people he serves.
The Executive Director of the DBP, Ellie Staley, spoke on the successes of the Urban Renewal District (URD).
The primary goal of the URD is to maintain an economically thriving Downtown that attracts investment, strengthens the tax base, and supports the vitality and diversity of the Gallatin Valley as its commercial, social, and cultural center.
The Urban Renewal District continues to focus on implementing the primary objectives of the 1995 Urban Renewal Plan and 2019 Downtown Improvement Plan including the following programs and projects…
First, the URD offers a variety of financial grant programs to facilitate the development of mixed-use buildings, hotels, utility improvements and residential units within the downtown district.
The URD funds the design, maintenance, and seasonal use of downtown’s public spaces, including Soroptimist Park and North Black Pocket Park. In 2024, we began snow removal in both parks, allowing for year-round access to our limited downtown greenspace. We also made significant landscape and irrigation upgrades to Soroptimist Park and added two large seasonal planters to North Black Pocket Park.
As many of you know, North Black Pocket Park will soon be transformed into the I-Ho Pomeroy Peace Park. A passionate group of community members and I-Ho’s many admirers have been working tirelessly to secure funding, and I’m thrilled to share that we’re in the final stages of confirming the design and budget. We anticipate going out to public bid by mid-June and can’t wait to build this lasting tribute to a beloved community figure... an urban oasis for future generations!
The URD continues to partner with the City’s Economic Development and Parking staff to maintain and improve downtown parking. In addition to servicing the Bridger Park Garage debt, we’ve committed to expanding parking capacity and developing smarter parking solutions for downtown employees, residents, and customers. The board recently approved $5 million toward parking supply and data tools and will soon release a 3–5 year Parking Action Plan.
This summer, we’re launching a pedlet pilot project on South Willson Avenue in partnership with Bitterroot Bistro. The URD will support the pedlet infrastructure, while Bitterroot will manage the adjacent sidewalk café. This setup will allow for expanded seating while preserving ADA sidewalk accessibility. We’re aiming to have both the pedlet and café fencing installed by late June... so keep an eye out!
If you are interested in any of the projects mentioned or any of the URD priorities or projects, please email Ellie.
Ellie then presented the Downtown Community Award. This award acknowledges a business or organization that has provided exemplary support of all that is Downtown Bozeman. This year’s Nominees were: Bozeman Health, Extreme History Project, & KZBK.
The 2026 Downtown Community Award Recipient is: Bozeman Health
Bozeman Health has been a longtime supporter of Downtown Bozeman and an incredible community partner in countless ways over the years. As the region’s largest healthcare provider and one of Gallatin Valley’s largest employers, they continue to demonstrate that investing in community health also means investing in the vibrancy and success of downtown.
Bozeman Health founded PNKBZN and continues to play a leading role in that important annual awareness campaign, while also supporting many of downtown’s signature events including Music on Main, Christmas Stroll, "Cruisin’ on Main", and many others throughout the year.
Beyond sponsorships, Bozeman Health consistently shows up as a collaborative partner, supporting local businesses, community initiatives, nonprofit organizations, and efforts that strengthen quality of life across our region. Their continued commitment to Downtown Bozeman reflects a genuine understanding that thriving communities are built through connection, partnership, and shared investment.
Sid Boswell, with Yellowstone Fiber, gave heartfelt closing remarks wrapping up another wonderful Annual Breakfast, thanking attendees for their continued investment in Downtown Bozeman and the people who make it thrive.
Reflecting on the morning’s conversations, Boswell emphasized that downtown’s success is not accidental, but the result of business owners, organizations, volunteers, residents, and community leaders who continue to show up year after year in support of a vibrant and connected downtown. He also recognized the Downtown Bozeman Partnership’s ongoing role in advocating for the district through business support, events, beautification efforts, and infrastructure investment.
Closing on an optimistic note, Boswell shared Yellowstone Fiber’s pride in supporting downtown and reaffirmed a shared belief echoed throughout the morning: that Downtown Bozeman remains not only the economic and cultural center of the community, but a place people deeply care about protecting for generations to come!
Finally, a huge shout out to our incredible sponsors!
We could not host this complimentary breakfast for all our wonderful supporters without your help - thank you!