Stop by the Registration desk is open to check in, modify your registration, or ask questions.

Discover the heart of Montgomery—Alabama's Capital City and the site for some of the most influential moments and events in our country's struggle for civil rights. Immerse yourself in the city's rich history through the exploration of historic landmarks and beautiful architecture. Visit some of Montgomery's most iconic landmarks, including the Alabama State Capitol, Dexter Park, and the Rosa Parks Library and Museum. Learn about public art and adaptive reuse projects that have created a district of progress while showcasing the cultural enhancements from the past six decades. Our knowledgeable guide will provide insights into the significance of each site and its role in shaping Montgomery's identity.

Immerse yourself in Athens and Decatur, two of North Alabama's most historic and lively downtowns on this art-centric and history-filled mobile workshop. Visit the Cook Museum of Natural Science, voted #1 New Museum by USA TODAY. Tour the Alabama Center for the Arts, a partnership between the colleges located in Athens and Decatur and High Cotton Arts, and art incubator that Athens Main Street opened in 2015. Learn how each downtown champions public art throughout their districts while maintaining their historic charm and character. Experience these efforts up close by visiting newly created public gathering spaces in abandoned alleyways that now boast vibrant art and events. And hear about how their spooky and interesting pasts connect with the present-day locations of these great public art projects, while also sampling local cuisine and ales from local purveyors!

Anniston, Heflin, and Oxford are three Main Street communities located within 20 minutes of each other. Each historic district is physically, financially, and culturally distinct, with one powerful common feature: their commitment to work together as a region to attract visitors to East Alabama. On this tour, learn how each city has invested in unique civic infrastructure projects that have increased foot traffic and spurred significant private investment, as well as civic pride. In Heflin, discover how a rural city has become known internationally by hikers and is home to a nationally known adaptive reuse project; experience a community that has created a unique retail and entertainment oasis in a sea of big box chains in Oxford; and in Anniston, visit a district that has embraced its place in history and began to rebuild itself as the region’s most diverse and inclusive Main Street.

Start with a visit to Gadsden, whose historic downtown sits along the Coosa River. Learn how this town leaned into the concept of adaptive reuse and went from being named one of the worst places to live in America to a thriving Main Street community that has more than two dozen retail establishments and an equal number of restaurants and bars. Then, journey to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to Fort Payne, a town rich in natural wonders, trails, and historic buildings, and a community built upon a history of talented people like Sequoyah, the inventor of the Cherokee Syllabary; internationally acclaimed and Country Music Hall of Fame band, ALABAMA; and James Dean, the creator/illustrator of Pete the Cat. Learn how the Main Street district embraces its natural surroundings, cultural heritage, and rebounding textile industry for future success.

In the heart of Alabama's River Region lies a quaint, small town with a big history: Wetumpka, the “City of Natural Beauty.” Since being featured on HGTV's Home Town Takeover in 2021, as well as serving as the backdrop for several Hollywood films over the years, interest in Wetumpka has skyrocketed. As the county seat of Elmore County, this fast-growing city in the foothills of Appalachia is also recognized for its historic downtown, art galleries, natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and—most of all—its spirit. You are invited to visit Wetumpka to experience this spirit for yourself and to learn about how city officials and a team of visionaries restored their business district from dull and desolate into the vibrant heart of the community that residents, visitors, and film crews love.

Columbiana, Montevallo, and Calera are back-to-back Central Alabama Main Street communities capitalizing on their access to I-65 to attract year-round visitors and tourists. From an unexpected journey into our country's past via American Village or the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington to a train ride at a Southern winery and whimsical creatures carved into the trees of a community a park, learn how these cities have leveraged resources, fostered partnerships, and successfully implemented adaptive reuse projects to expand and promote public art, develop entertainment districts, create festivals, and successfully blend collegiate and quant identities to build vibrant business districts offering something for everyone. (Note: This workshop does not include a trip to winery.)

Main Street Preservation Short Course, presented by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions

Join the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions in this one-day program on how Main Streets can take advantage of their historic assets to drive community development. The Main Street Preservation Short Course is designed to educate Main Street professionals and volunteers on how to incorporate the work of preservation commissions and Certified Local Governments (CLGs) in their planning, programming, and day to day operations. This course will also address elements of resilience and disaster planning for your Main Street.

This session offers AIA and AICP CE credits. 

For more information contact the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions at 757-802-4141 or director@napcommissions.org  

Training is essential to your success as a Main Street manager. Members of the Main Street America Program Services team will provide an overview of the Main Street Approach, highlighting the importance of engaging the community in revitalization planning, developing a set of district-specific strategies, implemented through work across the Four Points, and tracking and communicating meaningful impact measures.

Agenda

• 12:00 – 12:20pm          Welcome and General Introduction to Main Street By: Norma Ramírez de Miess, VP Field Services – Downtowns.
• 12:20 – 1:10pm             Organization 101 By: Jackie Swihart, Program Officer and Marcela Uribe, Program Officer
• 1:10 – 2:00pm               Economic Vitality 101 By: Joi Cuartero Austin, Senior Program Officer.                                    
• 2:00 – 2:10pm               Break
• 2:10 – 3:00pm               Promotion 101 By: Kathy LaPlante, Sr. Director of Coordinating Programs and Jonathan Stone, Program Officer.
• 3:00 – 3:50pm               Design 101 By: Lisa Mullings Thompson, Senior Program Officer.
• 3:50 – 4:00pm               Q&As & Thanks By: Field Services Team

Join us to connect with MSA’s Program Services team, fellow Main Street managers and other economic and community development practitioners nationwide. Discuss building supportive networks for our small businesses over light refreshments with communities participating in our Breaking Barriers to Business (B3) and Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Rural Communities (E3) initiatives. Don't miss this opportunity to network and collaborate!

Sponsored by PNC Bank.

This event is invite only and attendance is limited. See your confirmation email from the event organizer for location details.

Join us for a party at City Walk BHAM! Meet up with old friends and make new ones while enjoying refreshing libations and delicious bites from local food trucks serving up BBQ, kettle corn, tacos, sweet treats, and more. Plus, live entertainment: arrive early to experience a spectacular performance by the Miles College Drum Line and hang around for the sounds of Alabama by the Boys in the Band.

Whether you are a first-time conference guest or frequent attendee, the Welcome Reception is a great way to kick-off your Main Street Now 2024 experience. Come to mix, mingle, and get energized for a fun night out experiencing Birmingham’s dynamic dining scene with colleagues.

Included with registration. All are welcome!

City Walk BHAM: Amphitheater area at 9th Avenue N & 21st Street N (just outside BJCC)

First time at Main Street Now? Welcome! We invite you to join us for coffee and light refreshments as we kick off Main Street Now 2024. Mingle with other new attendees and meet some of your hosts. Take this opportunity to ask questions, make new connections, learn more about our host city, and make the most out of your conference experience.

Meet up at the historic Alabama Theatre for the official start of the 2024 Main Street Now Conference! Hear inspiring welcome remarks from the City of Birmingham’s Mayor Randall Woodfin and state leaders, Main Street Alabama representatives, Birmingham’s Poet Laureate Salaam Green, and Erin Barnes, Main Street America’s new President & CEO, that will energize you for three action-packed days of education session, mobile workshops, and special events. Plus, celebrate the 2024 Great American Main Street Award winners.

Make sure to arrive a few minutes early to locate and secure a seat with peers from your state, region, or coordinating program delegation, and experience a spectacular musical performance on Big Bertha, the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ! View the seating chart here >

Opening Plenary is sponsored by Regions Bank.

2024 Great American Main Street Award is sponsored by The Hartford Insurance Group.

Getting there: The Alabama Theatre is located 6 blocks (approximately 1 mile) from the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Transportation will not be provided; volunteers will be available to guide attendees who opt to walk.

Join us for a special lunchtime screening and Q&A with the producers of the critically acclaimed documentary, Shuttlesworth. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth, Alabama Public Television presents an original documentary about Birmingham civil rights leader and icon, Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. Featuring exclusive interviews with Rev. Shuttlesworth, family members, and colleagues, the film examines Shuttlesworth’s crucial contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, which, in turn, helped define the national consciousness during the mid to late 20th century and first quarter of the 21st and amplify the integral role that Birmingham played as the catalyst in propelling the movement onto the national stage. 

Beginning with his segregated childhood in the Oxmoor Valley, Shuttlesworth follows the reverend’s life through Bethel Baptist Church, the Birmingham Campaign, and the reactionary violence unleashed by the white power structure of the city. Through this lens, Shuttlesworth examines the City of Birmingham, its unique history and culture, and how the city became the symbol for social justice and the American Civil Rights Movement. 

After the screening, we will be joined for a discussion and Q&A with producers, T. Marie King and J. Winston, facilitated by Elijah Davis, Research Officer with the Nowak Metro Finance Lab.

Lunch will be included with the ticket cost.  Pre-Registration is required.

Hop on Jasper’s Downtown Trolley to visit some of the town’s historic homes and churches, reimagined businesses, and newly developed parks. Learn how the community is utilizing existing assets by converting a Jewish Temple into an office and a turn-of-the-century church into condos for Downtown living. Visit the Bankhead House & Heritage Center, Jasper First Methodist Church, and the newly renovated WPA-era Sherer Auditorium/City Hall. Then, take a leisurely walking tour to learn about Jasper’s history as a home to civic leaders and actors—like Tallulah Bankhead—while experiencing downtown Jasper’s murals and the 50-Mule Team, the largest collection of specialty shops and restaurants in the region, and a business incubator pod, and learning how land banking has secured many vacant buildings in the Main Street district. Enjoy free time to explore on your own: stop into shops, grab some coffee, and savor a meal from one of the many restaurants.

Learn about and explore the Pepper Place Market District, a thriving historic neighborhood with award-winning restaurants, design shops, food and fashion retail, office space, and a weekly farmers market—all easily accessible by multiple modes of transportation and adjacent to downtown Birmingham. The tour will begin with a brief history of the area, followed by strolls along the pedestrian alleyway and newly restored streetscape, and conversations with the district’s long-time chefs, interior designers, and business owners. Visit the photo exhibit featuring portraits of the farmers who have contributed to the success of the Farmers Market at Pepper Place. Pop into locally-owned shops specializing in unique items from designer clothing and gourmet food items to home decor and books.

Providing 'hope' is perhaps the greatest contribution Main Street officials can provide to their community and downtown. This presentation unpacks the notion of 'hope' to create a community-wide vision for positive change. The presentation includes moving stories from other leaders that have created hope by matching their citizen's dreams with an inspiring community/downtown vision and can-do attitude. This fast-paced, interactive session provides actionable strategies to build civic infrastructure, enhance vitality, and strengthen quality of place.

Do you have too many events? Is that program just not what it used to be? Have you been relegated to the role of professional party planner? This session is for you! Main Street is more than just events and programs, and our team will help you discover ways to evaluate your event programming: what works and how to evolve, realign, or spruce up what's become stale. And, in the end, if the party has to stop, we'll give you tactics to just SAY "NO."

Washington Square, once a vacant and unsightly lot nestled in the heart of downtown Oxford, Michigan, is now being transformed into a vibrant space thanks to contributions, sponsorships, and collaborative efforts within the community.

When Birmingham’s aging downtown interstate bridges needed replacement, the challenge of transforming the dark, unsafe, and underutilized space under the bridges was accepted. An active, vibrant, welcoming public space was envisioned and a robust community engagement process provided direction on a range of potential programmatic elements. City Walk BHAM is a multi-faceted linear public space, that brings people together, improves connectivity, helps build community, and is truly where Birmingham connects. Attendees will be guided step-by-step through the project’s visualization, engagement, planning, design, and implementation.

Delve into the art of establishing and elevating farmers markets in bustling downtown settings. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing market, this session offers valuable insights. Discover the crucial first steps to launch a successful market and learn proven strategies for attracting a loyal customer base and fostering vendor growth. These innovative marketing techniques, amenities, sustainability practices, and program engagement initiatives will take your farmers market to new heights.

Vibrant Main Streets can take time and patience–to create a shared vision, to overcome infrastructure hurdles, and to curate a pipeline of businesses interested in filing those storefronts. Emerging research shows that the appetite for business ownership is strong in rural communities, but they are falling through the cracks of traditional economic development strategies. Join us to learn what these aspiring business owners want and how to implement micro-economic development strategies that engage and support them at the earliest stages, thereby creating a pipeline of viable businesses to grow into your Main Street and beyond.

In today's dynamic configuration of funding and strategy for projects, Main Street managers play a crucial role in initiating and managing projects that enhance their communities. Many communities have lost funding from state and federal agencies because their Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or Request for Proposals (RFP) selection processes were not transparent, equitable, or garnered public critique. Given by a State Main Street Manager, Planner, and Engineer/Grants Specialist, this session is tailored to empower Main Street staff with the essential knowledge and skills required to proficiently create RFQs or RFPs that optimize procurement strategies and drive successful project outcomes within their communities.

This is a case study about how Laredo Main Street in Laredo, Texas, developed a downtown inventory of vacant buildings in their city. Laredo Main Street will share the goals behind the project–like understanding the vacancy rate, economic distribution of the buildings that were occupied, business mix, and customer base–and how they completed the core of the project (surveying 322 buildings over 63 blocks) in six months. Hear about their initial findings, which revealed vacancy in one-third of the buildings, and their plans for further conversations with city officials to find solutions to this issue.

As directors, we focus so much on getting the work done that creating a plan can be challenging. When it comes to marketing, we either frantically post on social media or conduct some other tactic and hope it works. In this session, learn how to create a marketing strategy that your Promotions Team can easily execute. Leave the session with goal and strategy planning tools, brand boards, and a one-page marketing plan for any budget.

As an architect who works with many business and building owners, I have learned to be flexible and supportive of business owners and building owners who are considering façade projects. Sometimes, when arriving on site, I am surprised with the physical deterioration of a building, the layering of bad design changes over the years, or the proposed “improvements” that will claim the owner’s hard-earned money. Through multiple trainings, I learned how to address these hard core issues in a nice manner.

In this session, attendees will learn how two organizations (Thread Capital & The North Carolina Rural Center) have partnered to create a small business ecosystem across the state of North Carolina that partners with and convenes local, state, and non-profit resources to address and eliminate barriers for small business entrepreneurs. Attendees will also learn why having a relationship with your local Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) can help bolster and support the BIPOC entrepreneurs in your community.

Join this facilitated discussion to learn why intentional inclusion should be a high priority for both organizations and communities alike. In this workshop, we will look at the economics and business case for implementing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategies, and discuss steps of mobilizing your community and obtaining buy-in through the Main Street Approach™.

Community storytelling is one of the most effective ways to cultivate inclusion, belonging, and ownership within your community. And anyone can do it! This workshop will teach you a simple but powerful three-step process for implementing successful and sustainable human-centered storytelling that will attract new visitors and citizens, while practicing skills that can apply to any kind of marketing, including writing, photography, and social media management. Learn from Phil Eich, founder of Storyville, and representatives from Michigan Main Street, who have seen real results from this transformative storytelling work.

The 16th Street Baptist Church and the city of Birmingham drew worldwide attention on September 15, 1963, when 11-year-old Denice McNair, and Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Robertson, all 14, were killed in a Ku Klux Klan bombing of the church. The tour includes a visit to the church to learn about its role in the Civil Rights Movement (including an optional video that addresses the church’s history and the bombing), followed by exploration of Kelly Ingram Park. The park was an assembly point for participants in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s “Project C" (for Confrontation), which included organized sit-ins, boycotts, marches, and jailing's designed to end segregation in Birmingham.  Note this is a walking workshop departing from the BJCC.

Diverse representation among business owners plays a critical role in creating inclusive downtown districts. This session explores methods for recruiting business owners of color to majority-white downtown areas and equipping entrepreneurs of color with capital and support to successfully operate a business. Learn how a downtown development organization serving a medium-sized city with a 54% African American population created a loan program that invests in women and BIPOC borrowers. This session highlights the benefits of Community Development Financial Institutions as tools for inclusive place management and how downtown development organizations can incorporate lending, training, and promotional programs into their work.

Local Main Streets know how to use history, art, culture, and commerce to build community. But there may be a resource you have overlooked: science! Celebrations involving science and scientists can engage new collaborators and sponsors, while serving your community in new ways. Hear from leaders of the Science Festival Alliance, a Main Street that runs a science festival, and Main Streets that integrated science into their events for the recent total solar eclipse. Whether you are looking to create something entirely new or integrate science programming into existing events, you will learn how to get started in this session.

Maine has been working on rural, place-based ecosystem building since 2019. The program now includes 13 communities that have undertaken ecosystem audits and developed implementation projects based on those findings. Leaders from three Main Street districts will share their audit findings and how this process helped them define their implementation projects, which included a focus on marginalized groups including youth, those living in poverty, and BIPOC and LGTBQ + communities. Learn how Maine is using entrepreneurship to create more inclusive and welcoming downtowns while simultaneously strengthening the State’s ecosystem.

Learn about the crucial relationships behind successful business succession! Local Main Street program staff and volunteers play a key role in general community relationship-building that can ultimately result in the ability to match buyers to sellers. Relationships that Main Street business owners have with their employees and customers, and relationships that local Main Street programs encourage, can result in a loyal employee or customer becoming buyer of the business. And a Main Street program's experience with business succession places relationships first and then, in the best cases, follows or complements those relationships with business succession training and technical assistance.

Retail is at the center of all our communities and drives the downtown experience. Join us to learn about the state of national retail, the ever-changing consumer trends and emerging trends in small business retail, through results of the recent data-driven report conducted by Main Street America Research team, commissioned by Retail Alliance. As a downtown director, EDA director, or local government official, learn how you can use data to be a strong retail advocate and champion policy to position this important economic driver in your community.

Join us to explore Tennessee Tech University's groundbreaking Rural Reimagined Grand Challenge, dedicated to transforming rural living through science, technology, innovation, and economic development. Discover how this visionary initiative engages every academic discipline to address rural challenges that are replicable and scalable not only throughout Tennessee but across the nation and the world. With a strong emphasis on leveraging unique assets, fostering partnerships, and empowering local communities, Rural Reimagined has already made a profound impact on 67 rural Tennessee counties. Learn about pioneering models, applied research, and student-led innovations that are revitalizing local spaces and economies in rural America.

To be prepared to sell your program's value to public officials on a continual basis, you have to nail down your message and your quick pitch. But, we often do not have time to practice and receive feedback on our outreach skills and style. In this interactive session, work with your peers and experts to hone your pitch and understand how to effectively advocate to public officials to make the case for your Main Street program.

The success of a Main Street is dependent on property owners, business owners, and elected officials believing in the potential and importance of Main Street. These people are the civic infrastructure that makes projects succeed and places flourish. But what happens when you don't have that buy-in or that personnel infrastructure in place? How do you create a Main Street that is loved, with businesses that thrive, and more access to growth for people from different parts of your demographics? This session will feature community leaders building this capacity right now, and method that every participant can take home.

Join us for an engaging session exploring the critical intersection of local regulations, policies, and downtown revitalization strategies. During this thought-provoking session, we will delve into the challenges and opportunities many Main Street organizations face as they strive to revitalize and/or sustain their downtown areas while aligning with existing regulations and policies. We will explore innovative and right-sized approaches to updating regulations, policies, and guidelines that promote downtown investment and inclusion at varying stages of a Main Street's life by partnering key stakeholders with local government staff and officials.

Have you been wondering how to fund inclusive historic preservation and history projects that protect and reflect your Main Street’s diverse community? Join expert grant managers from the Tribal, Local, Plans and Grants division along with some of Alabama’s star grant recipients as they discuss the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights, Underrepresented Communities, and History of Equal Rights competitive grant programs.

How we measure success lays the foundation for our work, advocacy, and investment in downtown and Main Street communities. We often utilize measurements to prove we have created a return on investment and better and higher uses in our community, but these measurements can lack the human connection to our work and can place a hierarchy of decision-making that excludes community. In this session you will learn how to measure and increase your downtown’s Return on Emotion ROE©, providing you a new tool to increase the importance of people and community in your work.

Have you ever been surprised by your district's code and zoning regulations? We have! While working with our Main Street programs, it became clear that, over time, code and zoning had changed–sometimes due to the loudest voice at the time and many times–it these regulations no longer made much sense. So we took action! Learn how Main Street Alabama began working with its designated Main Street districts to review their codes and zoning ordinances to determine what was actually on the books and then provide recommendations for best practices that would support economic development in the context of historic preservation.

Calling all board members! Join Kathy La Plante (Main Street America) and Stephen Hoffman, Ph.D. (Southeast Missouri State University) for a fun roundtable discussion to learn and share with your peers from across the country. This session provides an engaging way to learn about your roles, successes, and challenges, and how other boards guide organizations to success with a focus on the most pressing issues facing your programs and ways to stay informed about the latest changes and initiatives of Main Street.

A mental health crisis is underway, exacerbated by the pandemic and the high pressure that often comes with being a Main Street manager. In this session, an expert panel will share their tools and tactics for navigating mental health in the workplace. There will also be a moderated discussion with all present. Share your knowledge about the importance of mental health, raising kids and working, social determinants of health, and how we can do a better job as a Main Street America network for making mental health a priority.

Economic developers, city planners, local nonprofits, and advocates are at a fundamental impasse: Often the priorities of those who hold the development dollars differ from those of cultural preservationists. Treme’ is noted as one of New Orleans' oldest neighborhoods and a community with a rich cultural heritage significant to American and Black history. Through this session, learn about the history of the Treme’ corridor and hear how economic development, community stakeholder, and culture bearers/advocates are leveraging equity- and place-based models to preserve culture, address gentrification concerns, and mitigate the commodification of culture.

The Hispanic population has accounted for 53 percent of the population growth in the United States over the last decade. Chances are that most cities and towns throughout the country have also noticed a growth in their culturally rich and tight-knit Latino communities. This session will provide an avenue to gain some tactical tips on how to engage and include Latino-owned businesses and neighbors in your revitalization efforts. From meeting attendance outreach to large-scale cultural events, you will learn how to connect and build trust with a community that is often overlooked and underserved.

Last year, the US Surgeon General published a report titled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation," which included an Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. This session will provide an overview of this powerful report as well as examples of Main Street-led initiatives and a group discussion about Main Street's role in combating loneliness.

As we face increasing climate-related disasters, public health crises, and other emergencies, mastering effective communication is a non-negotiable skill for those focused on revitalizing and sustaining their communities. Discover the power of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) principles and phases in the realm of disaster communication. Learn how to effectively apply CERC strategies to build trust, manage uncertainty, and communicate with diverse audiences in high-stress situations.

Create a Junior Main Street Board from the ground up! This session will explore how to build relationships with local schools, write board procedures, recruit teens to join, and more. We will also cover the partnership of the Junior Main Street Board with our Main Street members and how we utilize our board to inspire teens to be involved in the community.

This session will explore the historical context of key Civil Rights History events and their relevance today. Presenters will examine preservationist strategies employed by American Civil Rights Heritage Sites, as well as federal, state, municipal, and private entities, to create welcoming environments. Learn about the material opportunities for comprehensive community economic and cultural developments of sacred places, and gain practical tools and insights for expanding the capacity of iconic civil rights communities.

Join us for an engaging conference session on how to harness the power of public history and placemaking. In this session, we'll delve into the intersection of community development, public history, and placemaking to create vibrant and meaningful spaces. Discover innovative approaches to preserving and celebrating local narratives, engaging community members, and fostering a sense of identity through the rich tapestry of public history. This session will also highlight successful placemaking initiatives that empower communities to shape their own stories and build a collective sense of belonging.

Local governments play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and vitality within their communities. The built environment, ranging from pedestrian and mobility infrastructure to public parks and shared public spaces, serves as a cornerstone for economic development. This session delves into the strategies for local governments to enable vibrant public spaces and proactively shape their built environments in ways that fuel economic prosperity and improve overall quality of life. This session will feature the City of Birmingham, Alabama, as a case study around transforming spaces through tactical urbanism in support of economic vitality in neighborhoods.

A lively and interactive workshop discussing how Main Streets can facilitate a thriving nighttime economy and experience.

Our communities are beautifully diverse, but sometimes it can be challenging to connect with every group. Learn how one small Alabama town is changing this narrative by making authentic connections, celebrating culture, promoting inclusion, and ensuring that Main Street is for everyone through special events that bring all these elements together. Take away ideas for how you can implement these strategies in your own districts!

Explore the role that foundations can play in nurturing grassroots efforts through a case study of the Boston Main Streets Foundation's (BMSF) approach that includes leveraging public and private funds to redirect resources to local businesses. Learn about BMSF's mission and initiatives designed to foster collaboration, sustainable progress, community pride, and Main Street entrepreneurship. Join us to understand BMSF's pivotal role and gain strategies for fostering economic growth and resilience in your own community.

In an ever-changing world, the heart of any community lies within its small businesses. They are the lifeblood that pumps vitality, creativity, and economic stability into our neighborhoods. This dynamic 45-minute crash course is designed to empower small business owners and community leaders with essential knowledge and actionable strategies for inclusive business engagement, fostering vibrant, cohesive communities where everyone thrives.

Join us for an opportunity to connect and share experiences with MSA’s Program Services team as well as fellow Main Street managers and other economic and community development practitioners that are working in neighborhood commercial districts located in big cities across the country. Light refreshments will be served. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and collaborate!

Sponsored by: Local Initiative Support Corporation, National Trust Community Investment Corporation, and Small Business Anti-Displacement Network.

This event is invite only and attendance is limited. See your confirmation email from the event organizer for location details.

Stop by the Registration desk is open to check in, modify your registration, or ask questions.

The Main Street Expo is the place to find information, products, and services that can take your local commercial district’s efforts to the next level. Featuring a variety of exhibiting companies, the Expo offers a wide range of exceptional resources.

Learn about Birmingham’s rich industrial heritage with visits to Sloss Furnaces National Historical Landmark and the Vulcan Park and Museum. The immersive Sloss Furnaces tour will take you through the history of the furnaces, showing you firsthand how iron was made and what life was like for the workers who operated the facility. Get an up-close look at the massive machinery that powered the furnaces and learn about the innovations that made this site an important part of Birmingham's industrial past. Next, visit the Vulcan Park and Museum to explore the story of the iconic 56-ft tall cast iron statue (the largest in the world!) that has become a beloved feature of The Magic City. Check out the observation tower to see the statue and breathtaking views of downtown Birmingham and beyond.

Have a love for history and building sustainable communities? Walk through the unique 4th Avenue Historic and Civil Rights District overlay with Ivan Holloway, the CEO of Urban Impact, a Main Street member, and two local historic tour companies: Antonia Revell, CEO of Freedom Line Tours, and Paulette Robie, CEO of the foot soldier's activist Committee.  Learn the history of the events and landmarks that created and sustained the district. Engage firsthand with historic church leaders, community organizers, and small business owners, gaining perspectives for creating and supporting cultural and social placemaking in historic districts. Sample the foods of local merchants and walk off the calories on this 2500-step tour.

Experience downtown Birmingham’s stunning architecture. Marvel at the historic and modern buildings that make up the city’s skyline, including the iconic Alabama Theatre, the historic John Hand Building, and the incredible Florentine Building. Your knowledgeable guide will provide insights into the design and history of each structure, revealing the stories behind the city’s most impressive buildings. We’ll take you through the heart of downtown, pointing out hidden gems and architectural details you might otherwise miss. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or aficionado of beautiful design, this tour is not to be missed. Book your spot today and discover the architectural beauty of downtown Birmingham.  Note that this is a walking workshop departing from BJCC.

Box, Circle, Line, Tangle: A Spatial Understanding of the Humanity of our Main Streets 

Join Erin Barnes, Main Street America President and CEO, for this Main Idea session with special guest Dr. Mindy Fullilove, a writer and social psychiatrist whose work studying cities centers displacement, mental health, and collective consciousness. 

In this intimate fireside-style chat hear how well-designed, equitable spaces can create connection to place and people, and help us heal. For a deeper dive into this important topic, pick up a copy of Dr. Fullilove's book Main Street: How a City’s Heart Connects Us All from the conference bookstore. 

After the keynote, you’re invited to experience a special musical performance and artist conversation centered on the role of live music in public spaces in sparking joy, fostering belonging, and creating places people love. Get ready to be inspired! 

Keynote speaker sponsored by: Philip A. Morris Fund for the Design Arts, a fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

Musical performance and artist conversation made possible with support from: Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation. 

¡Te invito a El Cafecito! Conéctate mientras hablas en español con otros colegas. ¡Saludos! Para más información: Comuníquese con Wendy Otero, wotero@mainstreet.org. 

Join us at El Cafecito! Connect and speak Spanish with colleagues. See you there! For more information: Please reach out to Wendy Otero at wotero@mainstreet.org. 

With interest rates and construction costs at the highest levels we have seen in years, the search continues for sources of low-cost capital. New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing is a critical, albeit complex, tool that can provide gap financing to projects in low-income communities. For developments that will create jobs or provide access to healthy foods, education, healthcare, or other services in a low-income community, NMTCs may be the subsidy to help complete the capital stack. This session will overview how to qualify for NMTCs, the types of projects that can utilize the funds, how to access this competitive product, and what to expect during and after closing.

Participants in this session will learn about the benefits of smart curb management systems to generate revenue, collect valuable pedestrian/auto/micromobility data, and reduce idling on Main Streets. Presenters will provide key tips on considerations (funding, duration, coordination, location) for Main Street managers in working with city departments, elected officials, and business and property owners to implement a pilot smart curb management system.

Blighted buildings and absentee owners impact our rural Main Streets' vibrancy, economic opportunity, and social psychology. This is a David and Goliath story about the steps that Hugo Main Street has taken to gather local and state agency support and resources to revitalize a blighted property on their Main Street, from anchor eyesore to planned new small-scale workforce housing development to support teacher housing.

Advocacy is not just a buzzword, but a crucial tool to connect you to the decision makers that influence policies and funding that will benefit your revitalization efforts. Through emotionally driven storytelling, you can advocate for your downtown in a way that draws people in, reinforces your brand, expands your funding, and builds connectivity to community. Are you ready to build your advocacy story?

Recruit, embrace and celebrate the youth in your community by giving them a seat at the Main Street table. Young people are often an untapped resource in our communities, and this session will provide insight on how beneficial it can be to give them an opportunity to make a difference in your downtown, as well as the steps to take to make that happen.

Learn how to use geo-fencing, QR codes, and data to strategically plan, implement, and measure placemaking. From pop-up performances to long-term economic development plays, effective placemaking requires understanding how your community interacts with your district – or doesn’t interact with your district – and why. Planning with data strengthens your efforts and gives you a basis from which to measure success. See scalable, innovative placemaking examples from Birmingham and across the country.

Looking to better understand how walkability helps support your local economy? Come hear the story of a Main Street Director who walked every street and alleyway in his city (all 171 miles of them) and learn how improving the walkability of your Main Street can be your best economic development strategy. Walk away from the session with tangible tools for conducting a walkability audit of your community and the understanding of how walkability links to economic development.

One of the best ways to learn more about your neighbors is to start a conversation about food. Stories are central to the Laramie International Flavor Festival, a volunteer-led event that features 20+ downtown restaurants offering specials inspired by international students, community members from 40+ nations, and multiple events. Now entering its third year, this week-long festival fosters community-building through authentic stories and flavors–contributing to Downtown Laramie’s economic vitality. New customers visit downtown venues to celebrate diverse international neighbors and influences. Attendees will gain tools to sculpt this model into a festival that brings unique communities together.

Join us for a concise yet impactful 30-minute session tailored for community development leaders in rural settings. We'll explore practical approaches to address power dynamics, strengthen civic foundations, and foster diverse voices in your community. Discover insights on navigating difficult conversations with finesse, establishing robust civic structures, and cultivating meaningful relationships. This session is designed to provide you with actionable tools and strategies to enhance your leadership skills.

In this engaging speaking session, we will explore the transformative potential of community-based coworking spaces in revitalizing our cherished Main Streets. Main Streets, once bustling hubs of activity, have faced challenges in recent years, including vacant storefronts and declining foot traffic. However, there's a beacon of hope in the form of community-driven coworking spaces. Our session will delve into the ways in which these innovative workspaces can breathe new life into Main Streets, fostering economic growth, community engagement, and the entrepreneurial spirit. We will explore how launching businesses from within community-based co-working spaces can support Main Street vacancies.

Bridgebuilding is an approach for promoting engagement and dialog between groups of people with different perspectives and experiences. Recognizing libraries as trusted community spaces, IREX, in collaboration with Shamichael Hallman and with support from More Perfect, created the Bridgebuilding Resource Hub to support and enhance the bridgebuilding capabilities of public libraries, to help combat rising levels of distrust and division in our communities. During this Tactical Solution Session, you will hear the various ways that public libraries are fostering community engagement and dialogue, as well as recommendations for potential partners and the community at large.

For the last four years, the Small Business Ecosystem Initiative has aimed to eliminate racial disparities for small business owners in multiple U. S. cities by identifying entrepreneurial ecosystem gaps and uniting a coalition of local stakeholders to address them. In this session, we’ll present best practices and lessons learned from our multi-city experience, with specific implications for Main Street districts. Participants will have the chance to explore how they can apply these tools to catalyze strong ecosystems in their local place, including uniting key actors and organizations around common goals across past divides of race, geography, and power.

Jones Valley Teaching Farm encourages academic exploration and achievement through food, farming, and the culinary arts. Here, students at all grade levels learn the importance of growing food with on-site instruction. This three-acre city block includes a community garden, farm center, and plots that community gardeners lease. On this tour, enjoy the gardens and learn how Jones Valley Teaching Farm uses vibrant outdoor learning spaces and food as a foundation for creating opportunities for young people to lead, create, and grow a healthy future for themselves and their community.  Note that this is a walking workshop departing from BJCC.

Want to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start a small business in your city? This session will empower attendees to do just that by advocating for smart public policies that increase access to entrepreneurship. We will detail how to identify a city’s regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship, bring community voices to the table, and implement impactful reforms. Attendees will learn how to apply practical strategies and best practices to unlock their cities’ entrepreneurial potential and will walk away with an actionable toolkit of grassroots strategies to use in their communities.

LGBTQ+ communities can be difficult to find in small towns across the country. Pikeville, Kentucky, was no exception until a group of like-minded folks decided to create the community they needed. Nestled in the heart of Appalachia, Pikeville features a beautiful downtown area and a storybook-esque Main Street. This presentation will highlight the strong partnership and collaborative efforts between Pikeville Pride and Pikeville Main Street, and showcase how LGBTQ+ communities can thrive when we all work together.

Today's Main Street pro can use lots of free/inexpensive and powerful online marketing communications tools–so many that it becomes overwhelming. It is great that you can create tons of content and social media posts, but finding enough time to do so can be challenging, especially for those "Mighty Teams of One." Let's talk about ways to be more productive and create more content in less time, with smart repurposing (like turning Instagram Stories into Pinterest Idea Pins) and using different digital publishing formats to promote better and faster, saving both your valuable time AND your sanity.

Whether you own an ice-cream shop on the Jersey shore, a ski shop in the mountains of Colorado, or a landscaping business in central Minnesota, seasonal towns have unique concerns and challenges. Learn practical strategies for promoting economic vitality by creating successful marketing approaches and offering products, events, and services that entice shareholders year-round and help seasonal businesses align with the demands of the peak season as well as the rest of the year.

What are the essential ingredients to a thriving Main Street? Thinking beyond our current network and our notions of "traditional" Main Street places, where could the Main Street approach take root? In auto-centric corridors home to strip malls? In purpose-built new developments? In communities lacking historic buildings, but rich in cultural identity? In regional networks of small rural districts? Join us for a dynamic discussion that challenges our tried-and-true notions of the buildings and blocks needed for a successful Main Street and explores the potential for community vitality and resilience in diverse new environments.

If you build it, will they come? Batavia MainStreet has created a successful small business incubator space, the Boardwalk Shops, with 14 tenants now in brick-and-mortar locations. Building the shops was the easy part. From recruiting tenants, marketing, and managing expectations, learn what it takes to coordinate the program and the lessons we’ve learned over the last four years.

Increasingly the Main Street model is being applied to commercial corridors beyond traditional downtown environments. The results are often impressive. This session will explore Main Street America’s latest perspective on the unique challenges and opportunities in creating new Main Street programs in larger cities or in other untraditional locations. In addition, we will share a rubric, developed by JS&A, that lays out specific criteria that we feel is essential to support an urban Main Street program and starts a discussion about how we can adapt the approach to guide decision making across the country.

National Trust Insurance Services prides itself on being a resource to Main Street organizations. We specialize in finding ways to reduce your risks through insurance and mitigation methods, so your organization is protected both now and in the future. In this session, we will discuss coverages that organizations need to consider and how to properly manage risk that Main Streets experience.

Join us for an enlightening session as Michigan Main Street collaborates with Arnett Muldrow & Downtown Professionals Network to showcase the latest advancements in our Main Street Solutions Center. Navigate through the ever-evolving landscape of downtown development with our enhanced resources designed to empower your growth.

Join us for this session that explores the collaborative visioning process that the rural community of Camden, Alabama, underwent in partnership with DesignAlabama and Auburn University's Urban Studio in 2018. Learn how this one collaboration has transformed this small community from a sleepy town into an Alabama destination.

In this session, Main Street and commercial district small business development leaders will highlight their successes, challenges, and lessons learned from building small business accelerator spaces in their districts. From shared commercial kitchens and food hall incubators to pop-up retail shops and more, hear how these programs leveraged real estate to benefit entrepreneurs–helping many of them test and scale their business concepts and products, and move into their own storefronts.

There are four entities focused on improving Alabama community and economic development in both rural and urban areas of Alabama: Alabama Communities of Excellence, Your Town Alabama, Design Alabama, and Main Street Alabama. We all have missions to make our state a better place, but how do we work together, rather than competing with each other? Check out this session to learn how we prioritize cooperation and effective collaboration.

All are invited to join theater & social practice artist Ash Hanson, from PlaceBase Productions and Department of Public Transformation, in learning “A Song for Main Street!,” whose lyrics have been co-created with Main Streeters across the network. This song about collective joys, challenges, and hopes in nurturing Main Street communities will debut live at the Closing Plenary! 

Soak in the past, present, and future of downtown Birmingham in an information-filled bus tour led by REV Birmingham President & CEO David Fleming. David, who is also a local history buff and historic building hugger, will guide you through Birmingham's history: from its founding to the hard times of segregation and the struggle for civil rights, to current efforts to authentically move the vibrant downtown forward. See notable Birmingham sites, learn the stories behind them, and ask questions along the way to get the fullest experience of downtown Birmingham!

Civic Leaders Lunch: Celebrating Civic Infrastructure Through the Community Development Block Grant

From small businesses to streetlamps, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) has provided support to projects to uplift community priorities for both urban and rural areas for 50 years. Whether in an entitlement or non-entitlement area, civic leaders interested in promoting downtown reinvestment can utilize CDBG funding for a variety of projects that align with Main Street program goals. During this 50th anniversary year, join us to celebrate CDBG success stories and learn how you can create investments in civic infrastructure, adaptive reuse, and quality of life using this essential program.

Sponsored by: City of Birmingham.

This session is an invite-only event for attendees registered at the Civic Leader rate and special guests. No RSVP required–present your conference badge for admission. Seating is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. No outside food, please.

Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) will share examples of creative building activation projects led by artists and activators to cultivate welcoming, creative, and connective physical places in rural communities. DoPT’s Creative Executive Officer, Ash Hanson and Activate Rural Program Director, Sarina Otaibi, will present key reasons why cities benefit from engaging artists in community asset design and civic engagement by highlighting activation projects ranging from BIPOC and Native-led creative gathering places to a cooperatively owned movie theater and taproom. Session takeaways include asset activation challenges and how Main Street organizations work with artists to remove or address barriers to these challenges.

Crowdfunding democratizes the funding process by gathering grassroots support for community and economic development projects, allowing changemakers and placemakers to transform Main Streets by realizing funding opportunities beyond banks, investors, and traditional grants. The financial investment is shared across the community, lessening the financial burden, and engaging stakeholders in the process as key investors in a project’s future development. Attendees will be empowered to utilize crowdfunding as a viable funding source for community and economic development projects, engage their community in every step of the process, and attract grassroots investment to create a more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable community.

The Small Business Anti-Displacement Network (SBAN) is a network of leaders and organizations committed to helping small businesses stay in place especially in black and brown communities. SBAN commissioned 11 case studies from around the world to learn about successful best practices and tools that are working to stem small businesses from being displaced in gentrifying neighborhoods. Two of the eleven case studies are in Main Street communities. After an overview of the 11 SBAN case studies, hear about in-depth strategies from leaders in Miami and D.C., using the Main Street framework to keep their small business in place.

Like the nation’s trail system, our Main Streets are meant to welcome you in—but not everyone feels included. Trail, walking, and biking infrastructure is leveraged to create more connections to Main Streets nationwide. We can learn from those practitioners how to intentionally engage an audience that reflects the country’s rich diversity and build a culture of welcoming. Join Rails to Trails Conservancy for a discussion with iHeart radio and social media content creators rooted in real-world examples about what it takes to create an authentic, inclusive marketing strategy that welcomes, connects and energizes.

This session will feature a panel of Main Street managers and partners who have bought, developed, own, and manage properties in their own districts. The panel will walk Main Street managers through fundamental steps for launching your own development projects and common challenges to avoid. Basics of real estate financing for non-profits will also be discussed. The benefits of owning and managing a property in your district will be explored, including organizational financial sustainability, and filling specific use needs that your market is not delivering. Our panelists will share specific examples from their own real estate projects to illustrate their learnings and insights and audience members will have time for Q&A at the end of the panel.

Learn how to form, operate, and guide investment groups to generate redevelopment in your community. Sustainable development often requires diverse constituent groups that pool resources, expertise, and time in tackling building opportunities. This session will focus on legal formation, mission/vision, project identification, pitch elements, financial analysis, project management, alternative finance, government relations, and Main Street's role in executing building rehabilitations for commercial and residential use.

In the words of the longtime owner of the Varsity Cinema, “One theater can make a difference”. Using an in-depth case study on the revitalization of the Varsity Cinema in Des Moines, Iowa, this session will explore the difference that one theater is making in its community. The nonprofit-owned Varsity Cinema reopened in 2022 after a three-year rehabilitation process. The project has helped catalyze the post-pandemic economic revitalization of the district, leveraged creative fundraising solutions, introduced diverse voices and perspectives to the community through its unique programming, and reimagined an enhanced use of a neglected, vacant historic theater.

Learn how to take the community-driven planning process a step further and empower citizens to implement your next comprehensive plan by leveraging resources from the local philanthropic community. See what can happen when the plan is hyper-focused on people: community-wide ownership, inspirational results, and renewed civic pride!

The Main Street Approach is universally accepted as a successful framework for revitalizing downtowns, and yet many communities are seeing rising rates of social isolation and civic disengagement, increasing income disparity, and catastrophic levels of disease and illness. In this informative, discussion-based session, we will ask if it’s time for Main Street organizations to add a Fifth Point: Health.

Join us for a tactical discussion as we define and operationalize placekeeping, exploring the intersection of public administration, public art, and small and minority business support in its principles and implementation. Using case studies from the Birmingham Civil Rights District and around the nation, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of placekeeping.

Over the last year, Main Street America and Forward Cities, in actionable collaboration, have developed and implemented a pilot program focused on creating effective, equitable, and inclusive community support networks for rural entrepreneurs. Working with nine fantastic Main Street Coordinators, the program spans the Main Street America network and includes 30 rural communities–with both unique and similar challenges. This session will include the content and deliverables from the pilot program, lessons learned, and a celebratory glance at our success stories, impact, and wins.

Learn how several Main Street Alabama communities have used real estate redevelopment plans to spur interest in neglected and underutilized properties by combining market analysis, public input, marketing, and financial pro formas. Examples range from rural to urban and from all income levels. Discussion will cover housing, entrepreneurship, and the importance of leveraging the Main Street Approach.

Who owns the storefronts and who has access to the storefronts dictates the economic future of a community. Too often, vital main street buildings sit empty because of a distant or legacy property owner, or storefronts are filled with local businesses but the business owners do not reflect the demographics of the community. How do we create more equitable access to the storefronts? It is all about ownership. This session will feature local leaders who are creating models that Main Streets and their partners can use create more equitable access to those spaces.

If you’ve been leading a local Main Street program for a couple of years or more, you have likely never had a boring moment, but plenty of days that can feel overwhelming. Join peers from across the country for a unique opportunity to connect with each other and discuss key tools and tips that help us not only survive but thrive in our roles for the long-term. This session is for Main Street directors only, and is recommended for those with more than 3 years leading a local Main Street program.

As a Main Street organization, your plate is full. Putting stable businesses in your storefronts, on top of everything else, can seem like a daunting task. But without vibrant businesses, your Main Street will struggle to become a destination. The good news is: you don’t have to do it alone. In this session, drop in on a conversation between a Main Street initiative in Birmingham, Alabama, and Create Birmingham, an arts organization, as they discuss how an unlikely partnership led to more businesses not only in their storefronts, but also across the city—and how you can do the same.

This session explores current use trends of artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT and their potential impact on our small businesses and our own work as Main Street directors. Hear from a panel of Main Streeters who will share how they are engaging with A.I. and the potential payoffs in time and money.

During the pandemic small businesses struggled to pivot. Legacy businesses owned by immigrants with limited technology abilities especially struggled to communicate their operations online. In response, the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) rallied a network of 80+ volunteers to help get small businesses online and to amplify their messages. In this session, learn how LTSC established their "Small Business Hype Squad" and have adapted it to provide continuing support.

Building a board with a spectrum of voices to sing harmoniously is messy, imperfect, and beautiful. Adding new, different voices isn't about a checking a box: it's about building organizations that reflect the fullness of your community. This session will cover the nuts and bolts to building an inclusive board with the pitfalls and problems. Learn an accurate board assessment tool that doesn't look like a checklist. In real talk, we will discuss how challenging it is to embrace a diverse culture when everyone is learning how to do it simultaneously and how to hold ourselves accountable for leaning into the mess.

Whether it’s the old gas station on the corner of Main and Commerce, the dry cleaner that’s gone out of business due to COVID, or the never-ending asbestos-laden renovation project, downtown redevelopment is often hampered by the fear of the unknown. Learn the basics of brownfield redevelopment through the lens of Main Street and downtown redevelopment. This session will present a breakdown of the EPA Brownfield Grant opportunities, setting the stage for a winning grant proposal in the fall. If you are more of a “Cliff Notes” person than a connoisseur of literary hyperbole, this session is for you.

Are you exploring ways to support your brick-and-mortar small businesses with digital infrastructure? Learn how South Carolina built a statewide digital community that features and uplifts local communities. Participants will leave the session armed with a list of next steps and a workplan template to begin building their own digital community.

Are you struggling to find and keep businesses in your downtown? Do businesses start, only to quickly flame out? Imagine if potential entrepreneurs could start with smaller-scale tests to learn what works before making a huge investment. People need new, accessible business formats and new ways of doing business, including pop-ups, shared buildings, businesses inside of other businesses, and more. Join us for the real-world stories of entrepreneurs already using these new reimagined business models. Learn how you can adapt them for your community, pull down the barriers to entry, and open up opportunities to more people.

Does your downtown organization struggle with engagement? Do you feel like the community has trouble understanding the work that you do? This actionable workshop will explore the key to increasing engagement and investment to reach your organization’s goals: TRUST. Learn what trust looks like in a community-focused organization, why it is vital to its success, and how to build it, nurture it, and repair it. Identify your town’s unique assets that can be used to build stories that your community can see themselves in and in doing so, create avenues to build trust and engagement.

Oregon Main Street recently completed a simple PDF fill-in-the-blank-type organizational Policies and Procedures Manual, and we invite you to use it, too. The 75-page colorful manual is meant for Main Street organizations that currently have no written policies. Our manual has chapters on ethics and accountability, purchasing, communications, administration, board of directors, and committees.

Few things are more important to a healthy Main Street than the ability to attract capital to real estate development projects. Yet we know that many essential projects struggle to access the financing needed. This is especially true for projects with budgets of $5M or less. Join Main Street Alabama, Main Street America, and Opportunity Alabama to learn about a pilot program that is attracting philanthropic capital to Main Streets in Selma, Alabama, and beyond.

Over the past few years, Main Street America's Research team has developed multiple reports and tools focused on housing, including the new “Building Opportunity on Main Street” (BOOMS) Tracker. In this session, we will explore the data that has been collected through the BOOMS Tracker thus far and discuss the meaning and implications of that information (e.g., projections of additional housing units that could be added in vacant spaces, economic impacts of newly occupied units, etc.). Finally, we will discuss promising next steps local programs can take toward activating vacant spaces and adding housing.

Meet up with colleagues and friends to enjoy light refreshments and explore the Expo! You will find great services, products, and information you need to help build your program. Plus, you won’t want to miss the Exhibitor Raffle for the chance to win some fabulous prizes.

How to Play the Exhibitor Raffle:

1. Pick up a raffle passport during registration and visit participating booths around the Main Street Expo to collect signatures.  

2. Bring your completed passport to the Main Street America booth in the center of the Hall by 5:20pm on Tuesday.  

3. Drawings for prizes will be held at 5:30pm during the Exhibitor Reception. You must be present to win.

*BONUS* Mary Means Book Signing

Visit the conference bookstore, from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., to connect with Mary and get your copy of her book, "Main Street's Comeback," signed. Bring your own or purchase one from the bookstore.

An opportunity for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community to network during a social, no-host meet up. This event will be hosted at Al's on 7th, and is 21+. Please reach out to Chad Banks at chad_banks@rswy.net or Matt Wiederhold at mwiederhold@heritageohio.org with any questions! A special thanks to Urality for sponsoring this event!

Al's on Seventh

2627 7th Ave S