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Call For Sponsors/Exhibitors

 

2027 NC Main Street Conference

March 9-11, 2027 | Morganton, NC

 

CoMMA Performing Arts Center

401 S. College Street, Morganton, NC 28655

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2027 Theme

Main Street: Designed for Connectivity

Built for People, Powered by Connection
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For more than forty years, North Carolina’s Main Street communities have demonstrated what is possible when people, partnerships, and place come together with intention. Downtowns have reimagined vacant storefronts, revitalized historic buildings, brought new businesses to life, and recentered community identity around vibrant, people-focused districts. As we look ahead, one principle rises above the rest: the most successful downtowns don’t become connected by accident - they are intentionally designed that way. 

 

The theme for the 2027 NC Main Street Conference, Main Street: Designed for Connectivity, explores this truth.  It reflects a statewide and national movement toward creating downtown districts that nurture human connection, strengthen economic ecosystems, and forge experiences that keep people returning day after day. The accompanying tagline, Built for People, Powered by Connection, reinforces the heart of this work: thriving downtowns exist because they are centered on people, and people thrive when places are designed for connection. 

 

This year’s conference invites attendees to explore the full spectrum of connectivity that fuels successful downtowns. Through sessions focused on design, participants will discover how street layouts, storefronts, public art, lighting, and placemaking can be intentionally shaped to guide movement, spark curiosity, and encourage interaction. Economic vitality tracks will unpack how business clustering, purposeful recruitment, upper-floor development, and aligned operating hours work together to create a consistent, compelling marketplace. Promotion-focused sessions will help communities design branding systems, visitor journeys, and campaigns that strengthen the link between people and place. Organizational development topics will offer proven approaches for volunteer engagement, block captain programs, data-driven decision-making, and the internal alignment needed to manage a connected downtown effectively. Attendees will also hear inspiring stories from across the state that demonstrate how connected downtowns grow stronger, more resilient, and more economically vibrant over time. 

 

Morganton, a long-standing leader in the North Carolina Main Street program, serves as a premier example of how a downtown can be intentionally designed to nurture human connection. For decades, Morganton has treated its historic core as a community gathering space, where wide, walkable sidewalks and the iconic Courthouse Square create a natural stage for social and economic interaction. By focusing on high-quality design, the rehabilitation of historic storefronts, and the creation of vibrant public plazas, Morganton has built an environment where people, not just cars, are the priority. This commitment to a people-centered district has sparked a thriving ecosystem of local breweries, independent shops, and cultural venues, demonstrating that when a city is designed for connectivity, it naturally powers the lasting social and economic bonds that keep a community resilient. 

 

This is the future of Main Street: built for people, powered by connection, and designed with purpose.  

 

We can’t wait to see you in Morganton in March!​​

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The Ultimate Downtown Revitalization Event

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Join the nation’s largest statewide conference focused entirely on downtown revitalization. More than 800 professionals from over 140 communities, downtown leaders, elected officials, business and property owners, and dedicated volunteers, come together to spark transformative change.

 

Many attendees work with tight budgets, so they count on this event for unmatched education and networking. With the support of our partners, we deliver a high value, accessible conference experience.

 

Deadline and Information

  • Signup portal closes on October 1st, OR once spaces are filled​

  • Payment is required at the time of registration.

  • We can only accept credit cards as part of our effort to streamline processes

  • Your space is not secured until payment is received.

  • If payment is submitted after all spaces are filled, your payment will be refunded and your organization will be added to the waiting list based on the date you signed up.

 

Don’t miss your chance to help shape the future of North Carolina’s downtowns and beyond!

 

Questions: Sponsor and Exhibitor Signups

 

Naomi McLaurin Riley, MSARP

Main Street Education Coordinator

 

NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center

Rural Economic Development Division

North Carolina Department of Commerce

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naomi.riley@commerce.nc.gov

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LEVELS:

 

Heritage Sponsor with OPTIONAL Tradeshow Booth ($5,000)

  • Premier Booth Placement

  • 8 complimentary conference registrations 

  • An opportunity to participate in the Tradeshow at the conference from Tuesday – Wednesday 

  • Inclusion in the conference tradeshow guide should you choose to exhibit at the conference (company name, logo and brief description of your products or services) 

  • Logo recognition in the awards and champions programs 

  • Logo listing as a conference sponsor on the North Carolina Main Street Conference website with maximum exposure, for one full year! 

  • An opportunity to include marketing materials in conference bags 

  • Opt-in list of attendees who consented to share their email addresses for future marketing outreach.  You will receive one opt-in list prior to the conference and a final opt-in list after the conference. 

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Legacy Sponsor with OPTIONAL - Tradeshow Booth ($2,500)

  • Premier Booth Placement

  • 4 complimentary conference registrations  

  • An opportunity to participate in the Tradeshow at the conference from Tuesday – Wednesday 

  • Inclusion in the conference tradeshow guide should you choose to exhibit at the conference. (company name, logo and brief description of your products or services) 

  • Logo recognition in the awards and champions programs 

  • Logo listing as a conference sponsor on the North Carolina Main Street Conference website with maximum exposure, for one full year! 

  • An opportunity to include marketing materials in conference bags 

  • Opt-in list of attendees who consented to share their email addresses for future marketing outreach.  You will receive one opt-in list prior to the conference and a final opt-in list after the conference. 

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Tradition Sponsor with OPTIONAL - Tradeshow Booth ($1,500)

  • 2 complimentary conference registrations 

  • An opportunity to participate in the Tradeshow at the conference from Tuesday – Wednesday 

  • Inclusion in the conference tradeshow guide should you choose to exhibit at the conference. (company name, logo and brief description of your products or services) 

  • Logo recognition in the awards and champions programs 

  • Logo listing as a conference sponsor on the North Carolina Main Street Conference website with maximum exposure, for one full year! 

  • An opportunity to include marketing materials in conference bags 

  • Opt-in list of attendees who consented to share their email addresses for future marketing outreach.  You will receive one opt-in list prior to the conference and a final opt-in list after the conference. 

 

Preservation Sponsor ($1,000)​

  • 1 complimentary conference registration 

  • Name recognition in the awards and champions programs 

  • Name listing as a conference sponsor on the North Carolina Main Street Conference website with maximum exposure, for one full year! 

  • An opportunity to include marketing materials in conference bags 

  • Opt-in list of attendees who consented to share their email addresses for future marketing outreach.  You will receive one opt-in list prior to the conference and a final opt-in list after the conference. 

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Exhibitor Only ($1,000)

  • 2 complimentary conference registrations 

  • Participate in the Tradeshow at the conference from Tuesday - Wednesday 

  • Inclusion in the conference tradeshow guide (company name, logo and brief description of your products or services)​​​ 

  • An opportunity to include marketing materials in conference bags 

  • Opt-in list of attendees who consented to share their email addresses for future marketing outreach.  You will receive one opt-in list prior to the conference and a final opt-in list after the conference. 

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Sponsorship Form

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SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE:

 

Once you hit CONTINUE you will be redirected to the sponsor package page. Please make sure that your selection above matches the package you select on the next page. Payment is DUE upon submission.

FINAL NOTES:

 

  • ​On the next page you will select your sponsorship package.

  • Make sure to select WITH BOOTH if you want to exhibit at the conference.​

  • Spaces are limited and payment is due at the time of registration.

  • Once spots are full, no more sponsorships will be available.​​

  • All booth spaces will close on October 1st as we begin conference preparations

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Thank you for joining us at the conference!

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