PDDG Design Notes

ISSUE 076

May 2026

Refreshes, Spotlights & Record Heat

May is the month of graduations, garden projects, and pretending we are absolutely going to clean out the garage this weekend. It is also a notable month in design history. In May 1998, Photoshop 5.0 arrived with editable type, color management, and multiple undo, proving that sometimes the best creative tool is not inspiration. It is the ability to say, “Actually, let’s go back three steps.”

This month at PDDG, we’re celebrating that same idea of thoughtful progress. From a refreshed web experience and a new community profile to destination marketing news, a bold sports development campaign, leadership updates, and record-setting heat across the pond, this issue is full of projects and stories that remind us how much good communication depends on timing, clarity, and the occasional strategic revision.

Enjoy the May issue of Design Notes, and may all your edits be intentional.

Mesa OED Launches Refreshed Web Experience

The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development (Mesa OED) has launched a recently refreshed SelectMesa.com, featuring a new look, updated information, improved navigation, and expanded resources for companies, developers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses looking to grow in Mesa. PDDG’s entire web development team worked alongside the incredible Mesa OED team to develop and deploy this fully refreshed and reimagined website.

The enhanced website serves as a comprehensive digital resource for businesses seeking to expand, relocate, invest, or launch operations in one of the nation's fastest-growing cities. With streamlined access to market intelligence, available real estate, active developments, incentive programs, and key industry information, SelectMesa.com is designed to help users quickly find the tools and data they need to make informed decisions.

The redesign reflects Mesa’s continued commitment to providing high-quality, accessible economic development information to business decision-makers, investors, developers, and local entrepreneurs. By bringing together data, tools, and location-specific insights in one easy-to-navigate platform, the site strengthens Mesa’s ability to compete for jobs, investment, and business growth.

Click here to view the new SelectMesa.com website and learn more about this exciting project.

We’re grateful for the trust placed in our team and look forward to a continued partnership with Mesa OED.

Surprise Unveils 2026 Community Profile

The City of Surprise, Arizona, has unveiled its 2026 Community Profile. Designed and produced by the creative team at PDDG in close partnership with the wonderful Surprise Economic Development team, this publication showcases Surprise’s many locational assets, including vibrant and thriving industry corridors for office and headquarters, retail, healthcare, hospitality and entertainment, small business and innovation, and industrial.

Surprise is located in the northwest Phoenix Metropolitan area, just 45 minutes from Downtown Phoenix and the Sky Harbor International Airport. The city offers several strategically located development areas, including City Center, Loop 303, North Surprise, and Railplex. The Community Profile provides highlights of each development area and includes key demographic data.

The development of the 2026 Community Profile is our first project for the City of Surprise, and we look forward to supporting their future economic development marketing needs.

Click here to view the Community Profile.

Crete Named World’s Top Gastronomy Destination

National Geographic has named Crete the “World’s Top Gastronomy Destination” for 2026, noting the island’s long-standing connection to the Mediterranean Diet and its highly desirable food traditions.

Curated by National Geographic’s team of global writers and editors, the Best of the World Food list spotlights 15 international destinations that offer exceptional culinary experiences for travelers seeking to explore new flavors and food traditions.

Editors recognized Crete for its recent designation as the European Region of Gastronomy, noting the island’s influential role in shaping the Mediterranean Diet. The publication also celebrated Crete’s rich culinary heritage, where food is deeply connected to local traditions, warm hospitality, and overall well-being.

PDDG’s President and CEO, George Dimotakis, is Greek-American with Cretan roots. He has participated in multiple tourism asset tours across mainland Greece and numerous Greek islands, including Crete, in recent years, and wholeheartedly agrees with this much-deserved recognition of Crete’s incredible food scene.

Click here to learn more about this latest designation for Crete.

Photo courtesy of PDDG UK Office.

Sacramento's “Pitch” for MLB Expansion Team

The Greater Sacramento region has formally launched The Sacramento Pitch, a campaign to secure a Major League Baseball expansion franchise. At the center of the campaign is a fully entitled 50-acre site in downtown West Sacramento, designed to accommodate a modern ballpark and surrounding mixed-use development. The project has identified nearly $2 billion in public-private funding, including approximately $800 million in land value and private investment, along with an anticipated $1 billion investment from the City of West Sacramento through tax increment financing, existing hotel tax revenues, and other funding sources.

Over a 40-year period, Sacramento’s proposed ballpark district is projected to generate $1.77 billion in new tax revenue. Of that total, approximately $1 billion would be reinvested into the district, while roughly $770 million would support schools, the county, and other special districts.

Sacramento is already home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, which have achieved a 99 percent ticket sell-through rate since 2021. The Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League have played in the region since 2000 and have led Minor League Baseball in attendance ten times during that span. The region is also temporarily hosting Major League Baseball’s Athletics franchise until the team’s permanent Las Vegas stadium is completed in 2028.

Regional leaders have demonstrated the operational readiness, strategic differentiation, and proven execution capability necessary to deliver a project of this scale and significance. With our HQ located in Sacramento and our deep roots in the region, we are excited to see how this effort takes shape.

Click here for more information about The Sacramento Pitch.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash (Leo_Visions).

Glendale Selects Dan Henderson for Director Role

The City of Glendale has announced the appointment of Dan Henderson as its new Economic Development Director. Henderson joins Glendale after serving 19 years in the same capacity for the Town of Gilbert, where he built a strong reputation for turning strategic economic development initiatives into meaningful community outcomes.

In his new role, Henderson will play a key part in advancing Glendale’s economic vitality and long-term growth by ensuring the city remains a competitive and desirable destination for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. His responsibilities will include leading efforts to revitalize the historic downtown area, highlighted by the upcoming celebration of the city’s $90 million renovation of City Hall and the downtown campus this summer. Henderson will also oversee Glendale’s arts and culture programs, as well as the city’s Experience Glendale tourism division.

His leadership in Gilbert, now recognized as a model for communities pursuing similar economic development goals, helped generate more than $4 billion in new investment and spurred the development of 20 million square feet of commercial and mixed-use space.

We have proudly served as the marketing communications agency of record for Gilbert since 2014, working directly with Dan and his team, and providing dedicated support for the town’s economic development and tourism programs. We wish Dan all the success in his new role!

Click here to read the full story.

Photo courtesy of the City of Glendale.

UK’s Hottest May Day Breaks Records

Just a few days shy of celebrating the fifth anniversary of opening our UK Office, our London-based team has been melting into the pavement as the UK experienced record-breaking temperatures across the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

The UK has set a new record for the hottest May day for the second consecutive day, with temperatures in parts of London climbing above 35 °C/95 °F on Tuesday, May 26. A provisional high of 35.1 °C/95.2 °F was recorded at Kew Gardens in southwest London, surpassing Monday’s record of 34.8 °C/94.6 °F, which was also set at the same location. Before these latest record-breaking highs, May’s previous warmest day in the UK was 32.8 °C/91 °F in 1922 and 1944.

Beyond the UK, most of mainland Europe similarly broke long-standing heat records this past week, including France reaching 37.8 °C/100 °F, surpassing 1,350 previous regional heat records; the town of Mora in Portugal reaching 40.3 °C/104.5 °F, breaking all previous records; and major Italian cities, including Rome, reaching 35 °C/95 °F.

Photo courtesy of PDDG UK Office.