Learn best practices, key trends, and economic development strategies to support small businesses and communities as they recover from the pandemic.
What does the conference offer you?
Participants will engage with industry experts and peers about current critical issues facing economic revitalization and discuss tools they are employing to build and sustain vibrant districts.
Two full days of learning and networking opportunities
Appearances by California State Representatives
Keynote addresses from state and national industry leaders
Social networking opportunities
And more!
Themes in Focus
2020 has been a year of change and challenges for downtown and commercial corridor leaders. We'll be focused on some of the most pressing issues in Main Street revitalization, including:
Legal Solutions
Retail Solutions
Creative Placemaking
Tourism in the time of COVID
Government Relations/Advocacy
Funding for Small Business and Main Street
Schedule-at-a-Glance*
Thursday, November 12
8:30am Opening Remarks
9:00am Innovative COVID-19 Transition ideas
10:15am Moving Businesses Online
11:00am Social Media Best Practices
12:00pm Keynote and Q&A
1:00pm Local Tourism Trends
2:00pm Creative Placemaking with Public Art
3:30pm Happy Hour/Trivia
4:20pm Closing Remarks
Friday, November 13
8:30am Opening Remarks
9:00am Building Government Relationships
10:15am Advocacy on Main Street
11:00am COVID-19 Liability and ADA Compliance
12:00pm Keynote and Q&A
1:00pm SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness
2:00pm Small Business & Main Street Funding
3:30pm Happy Hour/Trivia
4:20pm Closing Remarks
*Schedule is subject to change
Participants will engage with industry experts and peers about these critical issues and discuss tools they are employing to build and sustain vibrant districts.
This is our online event space. Join us here for links to individual sessions and more information.
Conference Speakers:
• Opening remarks by NMSC CEO, Patrice Frey.
• Special Keynotes on Disaster Preparedness by Manuel Ochoa, Ochoa Urban Collaborative
and Public Art & Activism by Erik Gonzalez, Executive Director of Urbanist Collective
Workshop Speakers:
Nancy Solyan, BrewBakers Cafe ;Fatte Albert's Pizza Co Hanford; Wendy Raygoza ;Ellen Amick;Martin Guerrero, Square ;Heidi KimStart ,Small Think Big; Lindsey Wallace, National Main Street Center;Danielle Milne, Digital Hopper ;Vaneese Johnson, The Boldness Coach Yolanda Cookson, Field Representative;Rachael Snedecor, Livermore Downtown;Biana Blomquist, Small Business Majority; Rene Kuhlman, National Trust for Historic Preservation;Dr. William Kell, Berkeley Law Community Clinic; Ana Acton, FREED; Dawn Golik, SBA ;Julie Clowes, SBA SF District Office