Meeting in The Magic City: A Preview of the 2024 Main Street Now Conference Sessions

We are looking forward to joining you in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 2024 Main Street Now Conference, from May 6-8! Along with our co-host partners at the Main Street Alabama and Sweet Home Alabama, we are excited to convene with commercial district leaders from across the country and hold space for three days of insightful education sessions, unique special events, immersive mobile workshops, and memorable experiences in The Magic City.

From time-tested Main Street Approach techniques and leading-edge initiatives rooted in perennial topics and the Main Street Now 2024 themes—Welcoming & Belonging, Connectivity Through Civic Infrastructure, and Reimagining Local Spaces & Economies—this year’s session agenda is bursting with opportunity. Keep reading for a peek at a selection of the conference’s 130+ sessions and stay tuned for the full schedule debuting in late March.

Welcoming & Belonging

Engaging Latino Communities Through your Revitalization Efforts

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. Presented by Ivan Gutierrez and Anette Landeros from the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Starting the DEIA Conversation

Join this facilitated discussion with Main Street America staff 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 inclusion and discuss steps of mobilizing your community and obtaining buy-in through the Main Street Approach™.

Connecting Communities through International Flavors and Stories

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. Hosted by Ali Grossman and Deborah Ross of Laramie Main Street Alliance. 

Connectivity Through Civic Infrastructure

Empowering Rural Voices: Strategies for Inclusive Community Leadership

Join Main Street America for a concise yet impactful 30-minute session tailored for community development leaders. 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 in rural settings. Hosted by Jackie Swihart of Main Street America. 

Co-Creating Civic Infrastructure for Vibrant, Connected Communities 

Social isolation is a growing concern across the country. The recent U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on combating the loneliness epidemic calls for the development of a comprehensive national strategy for creating more social connection. Efforts in Macon, Georgia, and Detroit, Michigan, show that Main Streets have a unique opportunity to be part of the solution. Through action-oriented planning processes, diverse teams in downtown Macon and Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood are redesigning and reprogramming the built environment to build a culture of connection. Learn how these collaborative efforts, with commercial districts at their heart, are co-creating civic infrastructure to deliver more connected, vibrant communities. Presented by Bridget Marquis of Reimagining the Civic Commons | U3 Advisors, Josh Rogers of NewTown Macon, and Caitlin Murphy of Live6 Alliance.

Civic Infrastructure of Action and Getting Stuff Done

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. Hosted by Frankye Payne of Main Street America, Ilana Preuss of Recast City, and Chicago Main Street leaders. 

Reimagining Local Spaces & Economies

Partnering with the Public Library to Support Entrepreneurs

Libraries have not traditionally been viewed as key players in entrepreneurial ecosystems, yet public libraries across the U.S. and Canada provide services to local entrepreneurs every day. From free access to makerspaces, the internet, and other resources, to formal trainings and business planning support, libraries make entrepreneurship more accessible, especially for residents of color and other groups traditionally underrepresented in the small business community. This session will explore the types of services that libraries provide entrepreneurs and offer suggestions for Main Street programs and other economic development organizations that are interested in partnering with their local libraries. Hear from Katie Sullivan and Shamichael Hallman of Urban Libraries Council.

What Smartphone Location Data Means for Main Street

Mobile location data provides powerful insights into the behavior of visitors to Main Street districts: Who is visiting? When are they coming and how long are they staying? How does Main Street programming really impact visitation patterns? In this session, we will "introduce" this type of data and quickly showcase a few quick applications of the information for Main Street, focusing on its potential for understanding Main Street districts' market profiles, the demographic diversity of district visitors, and the impacts of events and other Main Street programming. Presented by Michael Powe, Ph.D. of Main Street America and Ian Ross of Placer.ai.

People-First Strategies for Place-Based Community Investment

Russell: A Place of Promise (RPOP) is a justice- based initiative focused on generating investments in the people and places of Louisville, Kentucky’s Russell neighborhood, a historically Black community just west of the central business district. RPOP’s investments are driven by a unique power-sharing model that centers resident values and priorities in defining place-based development and wealth-building initiatives, including Main Street-level business and large-scale commercial projects. This session will explore strategies and benefits of investing in people before substantial investments are made in place-based projects as a practice for building community wealth, sustainability, connection, and long-term success. Hosted by Theresa Zawacki of Russell: A Place of Promise and Cassandra Webb of Cities United and Russell: A Place of Promise.

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Registration for Main Street Now 2024 is open! Member discounts and early bird rates are available.
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