2024 NC Main Street Conference
March 12-14 | Goldsboro, NC
Ignite, Activate, and Empower…Main Street!
The principles of the Main Street program are designed to create downtown districts that will not only survive, but will also thrive with new activity and flourishing, exceptional uses. Main Street is economic development that is accomplished through igniting the downtown with high-quality design improvements, activating the district through authentic promotion and locally driven economic vitality, and empowering the people and the community to get involved with sustainable organization. Collectively, these activities create a rich, distinctive sense of place that is the heart of the community.
Ignite, Activate, and Empower…Main Street, the theme of this year’s conference, is an exploration of the most innovative approaches that communities are taking to accomplish their goals. From award-winning rehabilitation to memorable public art, downtowns are ignited with high-quality design improvements that energize both local residents and visitors who want to experience a genuine, creative environment. Through storytelling, pop-up shops, and locally driven marketplaces, districts are activated with fresh new marketing initiatives, events, and businesses that encourage everyone to explore downtown. And through dedicated leadership and partnerships, people are empowered to invest time and money in their communities that result in positive change.
North Carolina Main Street programs and their public and private sector partners are creatively leveraging strategic economic development planning, tools, and programs that result in investment, business growth, and job creation. North Carolina Main Street communities have seen more than $5.2 billion in investment since the inception of the program in 1980, and more than $684 million in investment in fiscal year 2022-2023.
The North Carolina Main Street Conference is the largest statewide downtown revitalization conference in the country. Attendees include downtown economic development professionals, elected officials and local government staff, rural leaders, volunteers, business and property owners, consultants, vendors, and sponsors that are all interested in trends, initiatives, and success stories they can use to maximize downtown and community revitalization at home.
This milestone event will be held in downtown Goldsboro, North Carolina, as it proudly celebrates 40 years as an exemplary Main Street community. In that time, Goldsboro has learned the importance of partnerships, preservation, strategic planning, incremental growth, and, most importantly, using the Main Street framework to encourage collaboration with the private sector to advance ideas and involvement. The result? A vibrant, pedestrian-driven, art-centric community that is committed to ensuring the heart of Goldsboro is preserved and programmed for all.
Located in eastern North Carolina, Goldsboro is home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. With its wide sidewalks, walkable public spaces, a beautiful, historic train station, and an F-86 Sabre jet on display, downtown Goldsboro Is a community that is leveraging its assets for economic prosperity and development in the commercial core. As a result, downtown Goldsboro has realized close to $80 million in public and private investment in the last decade, 187 building rehabilitations, 78 net new businesses, and 430 jobs, with more to come. Today, downtown Goldsboro is thriving with an influx of diverse small businesses, an engaged community, exhibits of public art, festivals, weddings, and downtown living. Goldsboro leaders are proud of the city’s history and the investments they are making in its future as a hub for arts, culture, and entrepreneurship, and they look forward to welcoming and sharing their story with you!
Thought-provoking keynote and plenary addresses and engaging breakout sessions with experienced presenters will inspire you with fresh ideas for downtown. Bring a group of community leaders, Main Street board members, and volunteers to get the most out of the conference experience. The North Carolina Main Street Conference offers the most successful implementation strategies for downtown revitalization and redevelopment available in the state, the southeast, and, perhaps, in the nation.
We will see you in Goldsboro in March!
- Conference Information -
Below you will find links to everything you will need to plan and prepare for a successful conference experience.
Designated Main Street and Small Town Main Street Communities:
Please use your codes that were sent to you from our office.
Exhibitors and Sponsors:
If you plan to attend the conference, you MUST register below. Please use your codes that were sent to you from our office. In the event you want to bring additional staff, please make sure you register them below at the conference regular rate.
Registration Made Easy:
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If you plan to attend the conference AND the awards and/or champion ceremonies | Select Conference Registration Box.
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If you plan to not attend the conference, but plan to attend the awards and or champion ceremonies | Select the Ceremonies Only Box.
Question:
Registration - Contact Sharon Tripp, our Conference Registration Coordinator at info@ncmainstreetconference.com
- New in 2024! -
The NC Main Street Conference has grown; as a result, we are launching something NEW in 2024. In the past, we hosted the Awards Dinner and Ceremony as one event on Wednesday night. In 2024, we will host two separate but exciting events on Wednesday. The Awards Ceremony will be open to EVERYONE who registers, free of charge, in the Paramount Theatre at 5:00 pm to celebrate the top Main Street projects in the state. After the ceremony, at 6:45 pm, the "Celebrate NC Main Street Dinner," a ticketed event, will be hosted in three locations in downtown Goldsboro, each serving a specially designed menu. There is so much for EVERYONE to Celebrate in Main Street!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Sign Up During Registration:
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To attend the "Celebrate NC Main Street" dinner, you must sign up for your venue of choice during the conference registration process.
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You will NOT have to select your meal choices during registration. You will select your menu choices at the dinner.
Ticket Information:
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The dinner ticket price is $45.00.
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Tickets for the dinner are non-refundable and cannot be transferred.
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Ticket price does not include alcohol. A cash bar will be available at each location.
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Tickets will be in the back of each attendee's badge for easy access. The venue will be on the ticket.
Venue Check-In:
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Volunteers will be stationed at each venue to check names and tickets before entry.
Alternative Dining Options:
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For those who choose not to attend the "Celebrate NC Main Street Dinner," other restaurants in downtown Goldsboro will be open and available for service.
Check out the menus below!
- Celebrate NC Main Street Venues -
- 2024 Conference Rates -
Full Conference
Includes:
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Conference Registration
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Optional Wednesday Award Ceremony
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Optional Thursday Champion Recognition
Pricing:
Early Bird Rate | $225.00
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1/10 - 2/16
Regular Rate | $250.00
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2/17 - 3/01
Late Full Rate | $275.00
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3/02 - Day of Conference
Daily Conference
Includes:
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Conference Registration
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Optional Wednesday Award Ceremony
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Optional Thursday Champion Recognition
Pricing:
Tuesday Only Rate | $200.00
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1/10 - Day of Conference
Wednesday Only Rate | $200.00
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1/10- Day of Conference
Student Conference
Includes:
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Conference Registration
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Optional Wednesday Award Ceremony
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Optional Thursday Champion Recognition
Pricing:
Student ID Required at Check In
Full Rate | $200.00
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1/10 - Day of Conference
Tuesday Only Rate | $175.00
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1/10 - Day of Conference
Wednesday Only Rate | $175.00
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1/10 - Day of Conference
- Time to Register -
- Time to Plan -
On behalf of the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center, the Rural Economic Development Division, and the NC Department of Commerce, we want to thank you for attending this year's conference.
We continue to value our partnerships as we revitalize and sustain our historic downtown districts in the great state of North Carolina.