​Economic Vitality 

Location: Ballroom C, Main Floor | Convention Center

In rural communities, a thriving downtown is more than a destination; it's a symbol of resilience, identity, and future growth. Learn how to craft and manage targeted incentive programs, like building improvement grants, business recruitment packages, and tax tools, that are grounded in your community’s strategic economic development goals. Learn how to align revitalization efforts with broader plans, build public-private partnerships, and avoid common pitfalls. Whether you're just starting or refining an existing program, you'll leave with actionable strategies to spark investment and reinvigorate your rural downtown for the long haul.  

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Design, Economic Vitality 

Location: Grand Ballroom | DoubleTree

Short-term strategies can create long-term impact—especially when it comes to energizing vacant downtown spaces. This session explores creative approaches like pop-up shops, temporary art installations, interactive signage, and placemaking projects that breathe life into underused buildings, lots, and streetscapes. Learn from communities that have sparked economic activity and community pride through temporary activation. Get inspired by memorable examples and discover how to turn empty spaces into opportunities.   

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Promotion 

Location: Berne, Upper Floor | Convention Center

Sometimes events run their course, and it’s time to reevaluate their impact or retire them altogether. This session explores when and how to make that transition thoughtfully, including strategies for reorganizing or ending events without alienating your community. Learn how to effectively communicate changes, measure return on investment (ROI), and shift focus toward smaller, more impactful retail or community events that better serve your downtown’s current needs. Gain tools to ensure your event lineup remains fresh, relevant, and sustainable.    

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Organization, Design 

Location: Ballroom A/B, Main Floor | Convention Center

A strong planning framework, rooted in both a Comprehensive Plan and a Downtown Master Plan, is crucial for guiding short-term and long-term growth, public and private investments, new development, and preservation. This session examines how these plans collaborate to shape your community’s future, with a focus on the distinctive role of downtown. Discover the key elements of community engagement, land use, infrastructure, and economic development. Learn from communities that have recently completed plans and how they’re using them to create and leverage public-private partnerships, build community and political support, attract funding, and align stakeholders towards a common vision. Walk away with actionable steps to start or update plans that reflect your downtown’s identity and your community’s long-term goals for sustained prosperity and vitality.  

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Organization 

Location: Tryon A/B, Upper Floor | Convention Center

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Your Main Street needs more than just helpers- it needs believers, doers, and donors. This session will walk you through building a Friends of Downtown program that turns passive interest into passionate involvement. Whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing an old model, you'll learn how to define your "friends," structure memberships, build real value, and rally support that lasts. This panel will help you walk away with tools, templates, and a game plan to build a strong, sustainable network of supporters who are committed to the long haul.