Executive Vice President of Civic & Commercial Space Activation at 3CDC
With a nearly two-decade tenure at 3CDC, Christy Samad currently serves as Executive Vice President of Civic & Commercial Space Activation. She provides leadership and direction to ensure 3CDC’s vision for both civic and commercial spaces is achieved.
Partnering closely with the Public Realm Management and Marketing & Communications teams, Samad oversees the programming, staffing, and financial management of 3CDC’s civic spaces, including Fountain Square, Washington Park, Elm Street Plaza, Memorial Hall, Ziegler Park, Court Street Plaza, and Imagination Alley, as well as venue sponsorships and advertising. She also leads commercial space activation, guiding the leasing process and partnering with business owners to support growth and ensure vibrant commercial spaces throughout Cincinnati’s urban core.
Samad earned her Bachelor’s in Marketing & International Business from the University of Cincinnati.
Vacant and underutilized commercial spaces can weaken the energy of a downtown or neighborhood, but they can also create opportunities for experimentation, creativity, and new business activity. This panel will explore practical strategies for activating commercial spaces through temporary and flexible uses, including pop-up galleries, short-term retail, creative programming, and partnerships with artists, entrepreneurs, property owners, and community organizations. Panelists will share examples of how temporary activation can generate foot traffic, test new concepts, support emerging businesses and creatives, and help property owners better understand the potential of vacant spaces. The discussion will also examine the partnerships, operational considerations, and implementation strategies that can help communities move from short-term activation to longer-term occupancy and investment.