CTG x Activ8

“experience-led placemaking” “popups2placemaking”

We represent and activate the leading think tank on urban futures, creative tourism, and community hospitality—bridging global and local creators with city spaces.

Through insight, ideas, and partnerships, we weave networks that connect creative travelers and local scenes, helping destinations define and amplify their place identity.

Our mission? To design and prototype the future of cities.

Through our support of Coko & Activ8 we accelerate the next phase of our collective mission.

We help Activ8:

✅ Codify & amplify cultural energy—backed by deep research on creative ecosystems.

✅ Design experiences that shape identity—uniting tourism, placemaking, and community.

✅ Activate networks of global-local creators—embedding cities into the creative economy.

✅ Prototype the future of place-based experiences—where digital, physical, and cultural dimensions collide.

Creative Tourism Group + Activ8

United by vibe and vision. ⚡️👁️ Mission Activ8-ed?

Trusted by global and local leaders across placemaking, creative industries, and destination strategy to craft new urban narratives—from pop-ups to long-term cultural impact.

CTG on board

Core Concept:

The CITY & PLACEMAKER ACCELERATOR is a placemaking and creative economy program designed to help small-to-mid-sized cities revitalize their cultural and economic ecosystems. The initiative brings together local and global creators to develop experiential, community-driven projects that transform underutilized spaces, attract tourism, and drive long-term economic growth.

Key Themes & Strategies:

Placemaking & Creative Economy: Empowering cities to foster cultural activation, urban innovation, and economic development.

Hybrid Experiences: Merging arts, music, food, immersive tech, and gaming to create unique activations.

Funding & Sustainability: Leveraging grants, public-private partnerships, and destination marketing resources.

Vibes & Tribes Approach: Connecting global creative talent with local communities to generate fresh cultural energy.

City Test Markets & Pilots: Launching small-scale initiatives in cities to validate and refine the Activate model before scaling globally.

  • Cities v1

    1. City, IL — IL Tourism

    2. Atlantic City, NJ — *revitalization project. CS. SU EIC. AC X1.

    3. Pittsburgh — JM-DL. Carnegie Mellon. PIF.

    4. Fort Worth — THX. Convention District. ESC.

    5. Edmonton, AB — DC. ICAF.

    6. Vancouver BC — CK.

    7. Truckee, CA — or TV. Culture District.

    8. Kansas City, KS

    9. Long Beach, CA — LA28. BSG. WWW. LBCC.

    10. Los Angeles, CA (neighborhood) — LA28. BSG.

    11. Denver, CO — Vibe Index

    12. Mesa, AZ — Vibe Index

    13. Sno, WA —

    14. SJ, CA

    15. Catskills, NY — MF. Maker hub. UNESCO.

  • Key Collaborators & Supporters:

    • Creative Tourism Group (CTG) → Providing aligned strategic vision, network connections, narrative, and funding expertise.

    • DC & B-USA → Exploring national-level tourism and creative economy partnerships.

    • Innovation Centers / EdTech / Place-based Startups → Developing hands-on, immersive city activations.

    • Associations & Private Sector Partners → Bringing in corporate sponsorships and investment.

  • Action Plan & Next Steps:

    1. Refine & Finalize the Activate Accelerator Proposal . Integrate key partners, funding structures, and execution models. Expand the advisory board with top-level experts.

    2. Secure Pilot City Commitments. Identify early adopters to test small-scale activations. Build city-by-city funding strategies or global framework.

    3. Develop the Advisory & Mentor Network. Bring in urban designers, economic strategists, experience designers, and educators.

    4. Engage Funding & Sponsorship Opportunities. Connect with economic development organizations, real estate developers, and brands. Explore public-private funding models.

    5. Launch First Pilot Programs (2025-2026). Implement small-scale cultural interventions. Gather impact data & case studies to refine the model.

    6. Scale to National & International Cities (2026-2027). Position Activ8 as the go-to model for creative placemaking.

  • Conclusion:

    The Activate Accelerator is poised to transform cities through creativity, placemaking, and economic development. By aligning strategic partners, city stakeholders, and funding resources, this initiative can drive long-term community impact and position emerging cities as cultural and innovation hubs.

CTG support

Narrative — Experience-led Placemaking Framework + Funding Model — Placemaker Network + Venue Network

From Pop-Ups to Placemaking: Designing the Future of Cities Through Experience-Led Activation

by Creative Tourism Group | 2050 City

  • Executive Summary

    Urban spaces are increasingly defined by their ability to attract and engage people through culture, creativity, and shared experiences. Yet, many city strategies still rely on static infrastructure and outdated economic models that fail to adapt to the evolving needs of communities and visitors.

    Pop-up activations have emerged as a powerful tool for urban engagement, offering temporary cultural interventions that spark interest and excitement. However, without a broader vision, they remain fleeting experiences rather than transformative catalysts for placemaking.

    This white paper introduces “Popup2Placemaking”: a strategic framework developed by Creative Tourism Group and 2050 City Lab that helps cities transition from temporary activations to sustainable, long-term placemaking initiatives that enhance identity, economic development, and social connection.

  • The Problem: The Limits of Traditional Urban Activation

    1. Pop-Ups Without Purpose

    Many pop-ups are designed as standalone experiences—short-term spectacles that attract attention but fail to leave a lasting impact on communities.

    • Limited integration into urban master plans or long-term strategies.

    • Often cater to visitors rather than residents, missing opportunities for local engagement.

    • Lack of metrics to measure economic, cultural, and social impact.

    2. Tourism-Centric Development Ignores Community Well-Being

    Historically, city branding and tourism strategies have prioritized attractions over cultural ecosystems. However:

    • The next generation of travelers wants to connect with cities as locals, not just visit attractions.

    • Residents need vibrant, livable places that prioritize community-led development.

    • Cities that focus solely on visitor traffic risk creating short-lived economic gains rather than long-term cultural and economic sustainability.

    3. Experience-Led Development is the Future of Urban Identity

    • Cities thrive when they invest in experiences, not just infrastructure. Creative hubs, cultural districts, and multi-use urban spaces provide greater long-term economic and social value than isolated development projects.

    • Solution: Popup2Placemaking: A Strategic Framework for Sustainable Activation

    Popup2Placemaking is a three-stage methodology that transitions pop-ups from temporary experiences into long-term urban transformation strategies. It ensures that every activation contributes to a larger vision of urban vibrancy through placemaking, community well-being, and economic growth….

  • (CTG action: Gather the tribes… )

CTG vision — mission activ8ed roadmap

Thru “experience-led placemaking” we enable “popups2placemaking”
to define+prototype the future of cities

Activ8 Roadmap (pending)

  • Vibe Index

    Creativity Metrics | Destination Intelligence | Community Impact

    Ideas:

    • v1 complete: A data-driven ranking system measuring the vibrancy and creativity of cities through a 10-pillar framework (art, music, nightlife, events, digital culture, etc.).

    • A subscription-based research product offering custom reports, rankings, and workshops for DMOs, city planners, and creative industries.

    • A Vibe Score Challenge gamifying city participation to improve creative infrastructure (linked to funding incentives).

    Strategy:

    • Align with economic development agencies, tourism boards, and urban planners as a benchmarking tool.

    • Create annual reports, media campaigns, and case studies to drive engagement.

    • Develop tiered service models, free city rankings, premium in-depth reports, and on-the-ground consulting packages.

  • Description text goes here

  • v2 2050 City… to…2050 City Lab
    v2 think tank… to… incubation framework

    Future Cities | Innovation | Sustainability | Urban Playgrounds

    Ideas:

    • v1 complete: “2050 City is a small consultancy developing strategic frameworks to optimize and future-proof the urban visitor economy.”

    • A research and prototyping initiative exploring how cities can evolve as creative, sustainable, and experience-driven hubs by 2050.

    • Design challenge or hackathon for urbanists, architects, and experience designers to reimagine public space.

    • A touring immersive installation showcasing future urban culture (e.g., modular creative spaces, adaptive reuse, tactical urbanism).

    • Data-driven city rankings based on creativity, livability, and cultural engagement (linked to VibeIndex).

    • PopUp Village 2 Placemaking: Like EC but led by the leading think tank on urban futures x creative tourism x community hospitality.

    Strategy:

    • Position as an urban R&D platform for destination marketing organizations (DMOs), real estate developers, and cultural policymakers.

    • Develop a content and thought leadership engine with case studies on creative urban interventions.

    • Partner with forward-thinking cities (e.g., LosAngeles, Long Beach, Tri-Valley, SanJose, Portland, Peoria, Atlantic City) to test pop-up urban interventions. Or statewide/nationwide with multiple cities in 2025.

  • Boarding Pass: BSG + TH

    Skate & Surf Culture | Youth Engagement | Destination Activation

    Ideas:

    • A traveling boardsports festival integrating skate, surf, and digital culture, backed by TH and BSG.

    • A docu-series chronicling the global impact of Boardsports on youth culture, featuring emerging talent, with place-based premieres and art installations.

    • Thematic tourism program: destination-based hubs with athlete + maker residencies, masterclasses, and local community events.

    Strategy:

    • Secure funding from tourism boards, lifestyle brands (Red Bull, Vans, GoPro), and sports governing bodies.

    • Tie into Olympic momentum (LA28) and rising interest in urban sports as mainstream entertainment.

    • Develop city-based partnerships for legacy projects, such as sustainable skateparks and ocean-based surf initiatives.

    Insight:

    • Boardsports are lifestyle movements that drive tourism, influence fashion, and redefine urban space.

    • Cities that embrace alternative sports hubs (e.g., skateable architecture, surf lagoons) will attract new global subcultures.

  • StayAltered

    Creative Travel | Digital Nomadism | Immersive Lodging

    Ideas:

    • A network of creative residencies, pop-up artist hubs in unique locations (e.g., adaptive reuse buildings, glamping, co-living spaces).

    • A travel platform for experience-driven stays, connecting travelers with cutting-edge cultural and creative experiences.

    • Branded hospitality collaborations (e.g., Activ8 x Revitalized Space or Hotel Group or Indie Associations) featuring bespoke design, community-driven events, and immersive storytelling.

    Strategy:

    • Position as a lifestyle brand merging boutique hospitality, cultural programming, and experience-led tourism.

    • Explore venture-backed growth by partnering with hospitality disruptors (e.g., ).

    • Leverage destination partnerships to turn underutilized spaces into cultural lodgings.

    Insight:

    • Travelers seek transformative, immersive experiences beyond traditional hotel stays.

    • The future of hospitality lies in curated communities and hybrid spaces that blend living, working, and creative expression.

  • LA28 - International Culture House

    Global Culture | Olympic Legacy | Experiential Pavilion

    Ideas:

    • A temporary cultural hub during the 2028 Olympics, featuring global creative showcases, interactive media installations, and athlete-driven storytelling.

    • A multi-city cultural exchange leading up to LA28, connecting creative scenes from Paris, Tokyo, and beyond.

    • Athlete hospitality activations, blending esports, gaming, and music into athlete-only spaces for relaxation and content creation.

    Strategy:

    • Position as a flagship cultural initiative for LA28, securing Olympic partnerships and brand sponsorships.

    • Partner with international creative agencies, embassies, and tourism boards for global reach.

    • Develop a post-Olympics legacy strategy, repurposing cultural assets into future global city events.

    Insight:

    • The next wave of Olympic engagement is cultural, not just athletic. The International Culture House positions LA28 as a crossover event blending sports, music, gaming, and arts.

    • Global cities can leverage the Olympic moment for long-term tourism and creative economy growth.

CTG action

Mission align…

Gather Global Tribes—Align Vision+Mission—Vibes 2 Activ8

Cities + Advisors

Activ8 Roadmap (pending)