2023 Main Street Now Conference


Main Street Now 2023

Interior-Header-Conference23.png

Boston, Massachusetts

We can't wait to see you in Boston, Massachusetts, for the 2023 Main Street Now Conference from March 27 - 29! Join fellow commercial district revitalization leaders from across the country for three days of education sessions, special events, mobile workshops, and opportunities to explore the host city, including 20 Main Street neighborhoods. Whether you come from an urban business district, small rural downtown, or somewhere in between, the Main Street Now Conference offers solutions to common problems and new techniques to help your community thrive.

Get the Conference App

Registration

Online registration closed on Thursday, March 16 at 12pm ET. Limited on-site registration is available on a first come, first served basis: 

Member and Non-Member: $750
One Day: $375
Learn more about on-site registration here >



Whether you registered online or intend to register on-site, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our COVID-19 Policy. Remember, you'll need to provide proof of a negative COVID test at registration. Learn more >

Location

Conference sessions will take place at the Boston Marriott Copley Place:

110 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116
www.marriott.com
Conveniently located near downtown amenities, the airport, and the train station!



Room blocks for attendees are also available at this and additional hotels. Learn more about hotels with conference room blocks and make reservations here >

Get Ready

Conference Site

Visit the conference site to preview the schedule, browse the sessions, check out the interactive host city map (featuring 150+ local dining and destination recommendations), learn more about our COVID-19 Policy, and get answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Visit the Conference Site

Conference App

Use the app online at eventmobi.com/msn2023 or search “Main Street Now 2023” in your favorite app store to download. Enter the email address you used to register, set your password, and begin planning your Main Street Now 2023 experience today!

Get the Conference App

COVID-19 Precautions

The Main Street Now 2023 COVID-19 Policy aims to create a conference environment that establishes reasonable, flexible, and implementable measures to ensure the health and safety of attendees. More information, including details about testing requirements and protocols, are available here. 

Learn More

Questions? Email mainstreet@savingplaces.org.
Please note: Due to the high volume of requests, it may take up to 48 hours to receive a response.

20 Distinct Districts



Boston Main Streets' local programs are home to the active and loving communities that make this city vibrant. From East Boston to West Roxbury – and everywhere in between – each district is abuzz with activity and public art, full of history and heritage, home to unique shops and must-try eateries, and more! Get familiar with Boston's 20 Main Streets >

Explore Like a Local

FaneeuilHallMarketplace__1024_508_.png
Boston is a city of people, history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods offering unique eats, shops, sounds, and experiences. Now is the perfect time to start building your extracurricular conference bucket list. Come a few days early or stay a little longer to make the most of your time in Boston! Check out ways to explore Boston like a local >

Watch: When We Say Boston


A poem commissioned for the 2023 Main Street Now Conference by the City of Boston. Boston's poet laureate, Porsha Olayiwola, brings us along on a verbal journey of what makes Boston special.

Featured Articles

In the months and weeks leading up to Main Street Now 2023, we are collaborating with our conference co-hosts to publish a special blog series that promotes the conference's core themes, exciting topics, and unique experiences. Check out the latest articles below!

Conference Themes

Community Wealth Building & Shared Prosperity

Main Street programs and other place-based revitalization organizations have a vital role to play in building community wealth and shared prosperity for every resident. This approach to economic development focuses on strategies to enhance local wealth generation and confers direct benefits for residents and local businesses. By harnessing tools like entrepreneurial ecosystems, community land trusts, cultural expression initiatives, and cooperative business models, Main Streets can create inclusive, sustainable, and equitable economic success in their communities and help ensure future prosperity for populations that have been historically marginalized.

Resilient & Future-focused Main Streets

As designers, planners, and local leaders, Main Street professionals are in a unique position to help communities adapt to meet the difficult realities they’re facing now and in the years to come. From promoting environmental sustainability and green infrastructure to advancing community health initiatives and cross-sector partnerships, building resiliency goes beyond responding to a crisis – it's about building a strong baseline for resilience that will pay dividends in the years to come. Holistic planning practices and strong community connections help prepare us for change, whether planned or unexpected. Sessions will explore the importance of meeting these challenges head-on and the positive economic and organizational impacts created as a result.

Building Community Connections

The success of Main Streets across the country can often be tied to a common thread: they are driven by people. Thriving communities are built from the power of many, with the strongest among them practicing meaningful collaboration, creating shared goals with stakeholders, and valuing inclusive leadership that provides a seat for everyone at the table. To strengthen the connection to place, Main Streets must embrace the variety of lived experiences of people in their community and empower them to make change. Sessions will highlight the power of coalition building and leveraging your greatest asset: people.

Stay in the Know

Additional details about venues, travel, sessions, partnership opportunities, and registration are in the works! Check this page for updates, or follow Main Street Now on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to our newsletter, to receive the latest conference-related news delivered to your inbox.

Co-Hosts

MSN_2023_CoHostLogoBlock_V4__1024x300_.png

The Buzz About Main Street Now

MSN 2022 Testimonial_SeymourMainStreet

Seymour Main Street


"It was an incredible week at the Main Street America conference...There was SO much packed into our short time in Richmond, but each one of us feels inspired and excited to bring best practices and unique solutions to our downtown. Thank you MSA for a wonderful experience, and thank you Indiana Main Street for a great time networking with all the attending Indiana organizations!"

MSN 2022 Testimonial_CharlesTownNow

Charles town now


"Another Main Street America conference in the books. The theme was “Together Again” and it did not disappoint. I walked away inspired, encouraged, and hopeful. Over 1000 people came together because they believe in the necessity of a vibrant Main Street. To be in a room with so many people who work so hard to help our small towns and small businesses thrive was empowering."

MSN 2022 Testimonial_KyleReynolds

kyle reynolds


"And just like that, #MainStreetNow2022 in Richmond, VA is in the history books. I’m truly amazed and will cherish the memories made with these fantastic people working to preserve, restore, and uplift their local communities and downtowns all across the country...so looking forward to seeing all of you in Boston for #MainStreeetNow2023! "