City of Dallas announces four new Nighttime Economy Division initiatives

Photo courtesy Gabriel Tovar

The City of Dallas Nighttime Economy & Responsible Hospitality (NTE) Division is proud to announce the official rollout of its strategic initiatives for fiscal year 2025–2026. Designed to support Dallas’ $24 billion nightlife and cultural economy, the initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to strengthening community relationships, enhancing public safety, and preparing Dallas for global events.

The four flagship initiatives launching this fiscal year include:

• CALM (Community Alignment for Lasting Mediation) – Already well underway, CALM provides proactive conflict resolution services between residents, businesses, and neighborhoods to build trust and foster long-term cooperation. As part of this initiative, the NTE Division will launch Social District Roundtables later this month, with the first roundtable scheduled for September 25 in Bishop Arts, convening city departments, venue operators, and neighborhood stakeholders to discuss compliance and collaboration.

• Nightlife Saves – A public safety and wellness program equipping venues and hospitality operators with training, resources, and tools to prevent overdoses, increase safety, and create healthier nightlife spaces.

• Glow Up – An educational and professional development series for Dallas businesses, operators, and cultural leaders to strengthen their readiness for large-scale events and foster growth in the nightlife and entertainment industries. The Glow Up Summit will serve as the official kickoff of the Glow Up initiative on October 14 at DEC on Dragon. The summit will bring together city officials, hospitality leaders, and event stakeholders for panels, keynote speakers, and networking sessions, setting the stage for a year-round Glow Up ecosystem that includes monthly sessions, quarterly forums, and an annual summit.

• Venue Rescue – A revitalization program aimed at assisting venues in need of change, whether through updated operations, refreshed branding, or a complete image revamp. Venue Rescue is designed to help struggling businesses reimagine their role in the Dallas nightlife economy and reestablish themselves as vibrant, sustainable destinations.

“CALM is about ensuring that businesses and neighborhoods don’t just coexist but thrive together,” said DiVina Gurrola, Nighttime Economy & Responsible Hospitality Coordinator. “By bringing everyone to the table through mediation and roundtables, we can build lasting solutions that benefit residents, operators, and the entire Dallas community.”

“The Glow Up programming is our investment in Dallas’ future,” said Marisa King, Nighttime Economy & Responsible Hospitality Coordinator. “By providing training, education, and resources now, we are preparing our local businesses and cultural leaders to shine on the world stage during major events like FIFA 2026 while creating sustainable growth for years to come.”

“These initiatives reflect Dallas’ commitment to balancing community needs with business success while ensuring a safe, vibrant, and inclusive nightlife economy,” added Edward Grant, Nighttime Economy & Responsible Hospitality Manager.

The NTE Division will continue to engage stakeholders across city departments, hospitality operators, and community partners to ensure Dallas’ nightlife economy remains a national model for innovation, collaboration, and responsible growth.