Board Spotlight: Meet Main Street America’s Three New Board Members
We are excited to welcome Lynda Tran, Tyrone Rachal, and Mary Helmer Wirth to the Main Street America Board of Directors
There’s Only Two Weeks Left to Pre-Register for Main Street Now 2024!
Online registration and the regular rate are available through Friday, April 26. Register today and join fellow commercial district revitalization leaders from across the country for three days of insightful education sessions, unique special events, immersive mobile workshops, and memorable experiences in the Magic City. From downtowns in rural places to commercial corridors in cities, the Main Street Now Conference offers time-tested approaches, new techniques, and opportunities to exchange ideas designed to help your team address pressing issues impacting your community.
Registration Rates
Discounts and special rates are available to Main Street America members, civic leaders, and students. For additional savings, register by the regular online deadline (outlined below).
Regular (by April 26*): $565 Member | $735 Non-Member
On-Site: $775 Member, Non-Member
One Day: $399
Student: $200
Civic Leader: $199
*Deadlines are subject to change
Attendee Experience
Main Street Now 2024 Mobile App
Get the app to:
- View the full conference schedule and add sessions to your personal agenda
- Meet session speakers and connect with fellow attendees
- Bookmark your favorite sessions, speakers, sponsors, and attendees
- Read about can’t miss events and keynote speakers
- Check out venues, restaurants, and visitor guides
- and more!
Download the app today!
- Click here to download the “Attendee Mobile” app from your favorite app store >
- Launch the app and search for “Main Street Now 2024” to load the conference app.
- Login using your registration email and password
Need troubleshooting help? Check out the Mobile App Frequently Asked Questions here >
Visit mainstreetnow.org to Peruse the Full Schedule
See sessions and activities by day, filter by session type, meet session speakers, access a printer-friendly version of schedule, and add activities to your calendar. Check out the full schedule here >
Webinar for Attendees
Join Main Street America and Main Street Alabama on Tuesday, April 23 at 2:00 p.m. CST, for this informational webinar for conference attendees. Learn more about what to expect at Main Street Now 2024! We will cover key things to know, can’t miss events, and sites to check out while you are in Birmingham. Registration required. Register for the webinar here>
Get Your Main Street Gear for Main Street Now
Our new collection, “Main Streets Are for Everyone,” just dropped on ShopMainStreet.org! Grab something new for yourself or matching tees for the team to wear during the conference. Shop clothing, accessories, office supplies, and more at ShopMainStreet.org. Shop the new collection here >
Sessions Spotlight
From crash courses to deep dives, the Main Street Now 2024 schedule is packed with educational opportunities: 140+ sessions led by nearly 280 speakers, to be exact! Here are just a few sessions we recommend you consider adding to your personal agenda.
Civic Infrastructure of Action and Getting Stuff Done
Monday, May 6, 3:00 p.m.-4:15 p.m.
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.
Empowering Rural Voices: Strategies for Inclusive Community Leadership
Tuesday, May 7, 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Join us for a concise yet impactful 30-minute session tailored for community development leaders in rural settings. Discover insights on navigating difficult conversations with finesse, establishing robust civic structures, and cultivating meaningful relationships.
Live Podcast Recording: Main Street Business Insights
Wednesday, May 8, 9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
Host Matt Wagner, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer at Main Street America, will sit down with Alycia Levels-Moore, founder and CEO of ASL Creative Strategies, a Birmingham-based project management company that creates spaces, education, and partnerships with the purpose of eliminating the racial wealth gap by supporting the creation and scale of Black-owned businesses.
For more information about sessions and the schedule, explore the agenda here >
Mobile Workshops
Mobile workshops offer immersive learning experiences and unique opportunities to experience Birmingham and surrounding communities. Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Mobile workshops are reaching capacity quickly – add a workshop (or two) to your registration today! Keep reading for today’s recommendations. Preview all mobile workshops here >
Oxford, Alabama © The City of Oxford, Alabama
The Power of Collaboration in East Alabama
Anniston, Heflin & Oxford
Sunday, May 5, 8:00 a.m. — 5:15 p.m.
Explore three historic districts that are physically, financially, and culturally distinct. Learn how each city has invested in civic infrastructure projects that have yielded great returns, including increased foot traffic, significant private investment, and increased civic pride.
Columbiana, Alabama © Columbiana Main Street
Main Streets in Shelby County
Calera, Columbiana & Montevallo
Sunday, May 5, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Learn about public art and adaptive reuse projects that have created a district of progress that also showcases 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.
Downtown Wetumpka’s Self Taught Southern Art Gallery. © Main Street Wetumpka
Downtown Wetumpka: Natural Beauty, Resilient Spirit, and the Takeover
Wetumpka
Sunday, May 5, 8:30 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Visit Wetumpka to experience this small town with a big history. Learn all 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.
Fort Payne, Alabama © Fort Payne Main Street
Two Blue Collar Towns and Their Revival Story
Gadsden & Fort Payne
Sunday, May 5, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Learn how Gadsden created a thriving Main Street community with a vibrant retail, restaurant, and bar scene. In Fort Payne, learn how the Main Street district embraces its natural surroundings, cultural heritage, and rebounding textile industry for future success.
Learn more about our conference policies here >
Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions here >
Questions? Email info@mainstreet.org.
Please note: Due to the high volume of requests, it may take up to 72 hours to receive a response.
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“It’s Nice to Have You in Birmingham” mural by Creighton Tynes © Bham Now
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Laramie, WY © Main Street America
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Chicago, IL © Main Street America
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Announcing the 2020 Great American Main Street Award Winners
Congratulations to these Main Street programs for their fantastic work!
Community Spotlight: Missouri Main Street Connection Leads the Iowa Community Expedition
Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) had the opportunity to take Missouri Executive Directors and other community representatives on the Iowa Community Expedition
District Spotlight: Pontiac, Michigan
In response, UrbanMain and Main Street Oakland County joined forces in March 2018 to assist Pontiac stakeholders in putting their downtown organization back on a positive track, making Pontiac the first community in Michigan to participate in the UrbanMain initiative.
2018 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Winning Sites
American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America announced the winners of the 2018 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets campaign.
2018 Community Transformation Workshop Recap
An essential component of the Main Street America Institute, the three-day in-person workshop gives participants hands-on tools to enact revitalization projects in their communities.
A Statewide Movement Improving West Virginia Main Streets
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
Community Spotlight: Main Street Hampton
Main Street Hampton hosted a Food and Friends Farm-to-Table dinner at the Rustic Brew during Main Street Iowa Restaurant Week.
Community Spotlight: Partners in Preservation 2018
From community gathering spaces to retail incubators, from small towns to big cities – this year’s projects and communities are a testament to the diversity of Main Streets across the country.
Community Spotlight: Ames, Iowa
Downtown Ames hosted a festival for the 46th annual RAGBRAI race (The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa).
7 Ways To Bring Your Main Street On Screen
You don’t need to be a big-name district to make a video that goes viral; you just need to know what you’re doing.
Comcast Newsmakers: Revitalizing Downtown
Matt Wagner, National Main Street Center's Vice President of Revitalization Programs, discusses competitive advantages, incrementalism and the power of the Main Street America network
Community Spotlight: Main Street Homer, Louisiana
Main Street Homer (Homer, Louisiana) was awarded a $25,000 A Community Thrives social impact grant from Gannett/USA Today Network to create an arts center with affordable artist studios and classroom/event space.
Evolution, Acceptance, and Change: The Main Street Approach as a Catalyst for Revitalization
Nearly slated for demolition 30 years ago, downtown Cedar Falls has experienced an amazing transformation through its revitalization journey using the Main Street Approach.
Main Street Roots Run Deep in Downtown Wytheville
Since starting as Executive Director, Todd has helped the organization achieve Virginia Main Street Designation Status and national Accreditation.
Announcing the 2018 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The National Main Street Center, Inc., announced Downtown Oregon City, Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency, and Howell Main Street as the 2018 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winners during its annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
Main Streets in Action
We rolled out four new Main Street America videos highlighting the power of the Main Street movement, Main Street Approach, economic impact of Main Street, and the incredible volunteers that make Main Street's grassroots network so effective.
Community Spotlight: Ridgefield Main Street
Ridgefield Main Street is an energetic, up-and-coming Washington Main Street program located just north of Vancouver, Washington.
Want to do something big? Start small.
A series of small, incremental improvements, when taken together, provide momentum for long-term economic transformation and improved quality of life in a community.
Michigan Main Street Refresh Implementation: The Refresh from Our Communities’ Perspective
Here's a bit of background on each of the communities. Read on for the Refresh Implementation Q&A.
Announcing the 2017 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The National Main Street Center, Inc. announced the 2017 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) during its annual conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Reality of Main Street — Letter from the President
The National Main Street Center and the Brookings Institution have jointly authored a response to Mr. Hyman’s piece, The Reality of Main Street, that is featured on Brookings’ blog.
Michigan Main Street Refresh Implementation: Our Process and Lessons Learned So Far
Michigan Main Street Center was the first Coordinating Program to implement the new Main Street approach on a large scale. In this article, they share their robust process and valuable lessons.
The Reality of Main Street
There is another way for smaller communities to compete in today’s economy and we believe a strong main street strategy is at the heart of it.
The Myth of Main Street? Letter from the President
Letter from past MSA President, Patrice Frey
The Lowdown in Downtown LaBelle
Fritz the dog has made his way into the hearts of the residents of LaBelle, Florida, and helped our Main Street Community find a way to make what we do more noticeable.
Strategic Planning Through Transformation Strategies – Saline, Michigan
Back in October 2015, we introduced the three key components of the refreshed Main Street Approach: inputs, outputs and Community Transformation Strategies.
Revitalization and Main Street Transformation
For a lucky few downtowns, greatness may happen effortlessly with a strong sense of place that seems to develop organically and simply sustain itself. For most places, success doesn’t happen by chance.
Revisit Your Community’s Unique Assets: Connecting Asset-Based Economic Development to Community Transformation Strategies
This need for change results from the heavy emphasis on three components of the refreshed Main Street Approach.
The 2016 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The 2016 winners are a diverse group in geography and character, but together demonstrate the broad applicability of the Main Street Approach:
Main Street Nation Radio
The first official show under the Main Street Nation banner aired in June 2015 on WJR-760 AM Detroit.
The Path To The Future
The economic value of historic preservation on Main Street.
Refresh Demonstration Project Sites: Learning Labs for the Updated Main Street Approach
A series of demonstration projects providing the opportunity to test new strategies on the ground, learn from practitioners, and refine the approach.
Why Business Retention and Expansion Plans are Important for Downtowns
A business retention and expansion plan, properly implemented, not only helps keep businesses open but possibly even helps them expand.
Wisconsin Main Street: 27 Years of People, Places and Progress
While there have been over $1.2 billion in public and private investment in Wisconsin Main Street communities over the past 27 years, what really makes it special are the people and places that have been involved.
Pop-Up Art Tour
Main Street Bartow's empty storefronts become pop-up art galleries to promote economic development.
A Walk Through Rehoboth Beach Main Street
Although a “beach town,” Rehoboth Beach is open 365 days a year, and with that has the unique challenge of catering to both year-round residents and tourists within a wide range of ages, interests and economic levels
Independent We Stand Makes Main Streets a Priority
In communities across the country, hardworking business owners and buy local advocates come together to foster an organized effort to reinvent and revitalize Main Streets and downtown districts.
Announcing the 2015 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The National Main Street Center is pleased to announce that Cape Girardeau, Mo., Montclair Center, N.J., and Rawlins, Wyo. were selected as the 2015 Great American Main Street Award® (GAMSA) winners.
