Global city leaders take bus tour of South Shore for International Downtown Association Conference

CHICAGO (CBS) Chicago this week is playing host to the 69th annual International Downtown Conference - bringing more than 1,500 leaders from around the world to the city.

The three-day conference is being held at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel downtown, but the leaders from around the globe are going far beyond its walls. They are taking a special tour of the city and discuss ways to strengthen urban centers and solve common problems.

Part of the mission is to help attendees see all of the city by bus - including Chicago's South Side. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman jumped onboard the tour Wednesday.

It was a full bus and a captive audience for Amena Karim, a South Side native and civic engagement officer sharing all about Chicago's South Shore neighborhood with global city leaders.

"They're going to learn about the community, the culture, and the commerce," Karim said. "The opportunity here is to really gain greater knowledge and understanding of how communities work."

The goal of the tour through Karim's neighborhood is to show both the beauty of South Shore – and how the neighborhood is rising.

"We have to see a lot of what's not good as opportunity, and not necessarily something that we, you know, just look at and walk away from," Said LaShawn Brown of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.

Visitors got to see the Obama Presidential Center now under construction in Jackson Park, community gardens, and the South Shore Cultural Center. They also heard from business leaders about their lived experiences in South Shore and Jackson Park Highlands as they try to grow the neighborhood.

"I'm a retired civil engineer wanting to follow my dreams and open up a restaurant," said Carmella Coq'mard Muhammad, owner of the Foodie's Spot at 7350 S. Stony Island Ave.

Leaders with the chamber of commerce are now researching how to redevelop the South Shore commercial corridor – and they hope small businesses and community partnerships will help pave the way to restore the district.

"We want others to know what businesses we have here; what culture we have here in the South Shore community," said Brown.

The conference will also include "master talks" from Mayor Brandon Johnson, Obama Presidential Center executive project officer Lori Healey, Friends of Waterfront Seattle president Joy Shigaki, DL3 Realty managing principal Leon Walker, and more.Chicago this week is playing host to the 69th annual International Downtown Conference - bringing more than 1,500 leaders from around the world to the city.

The three-day conference is being held at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel downtown, but the leaders from around the globe are going far beyond its walls. They are taking a special tour of the city and discuss ways to strengthen urban centers and solve common problems.

Part of the mission is to help attendees see all of the city by bus - including Chicago's South Side. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman jumped onboard the tour Wednesday.

It was a full bus and a captive audience for Amena Karim, a South Side native and civic engagement officer sharing all about Chicago's South Shore neighborhood with global city leaders.

"They're going to learn about the community, the culture, and the commerce," Karim said. "The opportunity here is to really gain greater knowledge and understanding of how communities work."

The goal of the tour through Karim's neighborhood is to show both the beauty of South Shore – and how the neighborhood is rising.

"We have to see a lot of what's not good as opportunity, and not necessarily something that we, you know, just look at and walk away from," Said LaShawn Brown of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.

Visitors got to see the Obama Presidential Center now under construction in Jackson Park, community gardens, and the South Shore Cultural Center. They also heard from business leaders about their lived experiences in South Shore and Jackson Park Highlands as they try to grow the neighborhood.

"I'm a retired civil engineer wanting to follow my dreams and open up a restaurant," said Carmella Coq'mard Muhammad, owner of the Foodie's Spot at 7350 S. Stony Island Ave.

Leaders with the chamber of commerce are now researching how to redevelop the South Shore commercial corridor – and they hope small businesses and community partnerships will help pave the way to restore the district.

"We want others to know what businesses we have here; what culture we have here in the South Shore community," said Brown.

The conference will also include "master talks" from Mayor Brandon Johnson, Obama Presidential Center executive project officer Lori Healey, Friends of Waterfront Seattle president Joy Shigaki, DL3 Realty managing principal Leon Walker, and more.