General Info
Becoming Main Street 2.0
Join us in the Windy City as we showcase the technology that can take your revitalization program to the next level. What are the tech tools Main Street programs need to succeed in the 21st century? How do you use new technologies to manage your program and engage your constituents? What is social networking and how does it apply to Main Street? How can you get your local businesses to take advantage of e-commerce? How do you recruit volunteers online? From “MySpace” to financial management software, our 2009 conference will focus on the use of technology to implement all four points of the Main Street approach. Technology novices will put the fear of software and social media behind them and experienced techies will explore new uses for new tools so all Main Street program can keep ahead of the curve.
What Does the National Main Streets Conference Offer You?
At our 2009 conference, we’ll not only focus on innovative technology and web-based tools for running a revitalization organization and building a vibrant commercial district, we’ll also offer educational sessions and mobile workshops that explore successful strategies in applying the Main Street Four-Point Approach®. People from small and rural towns, suburban communities, large and midsized cities, and urban neighborhood business districts can all benefit from ideas, solutions, issue discussion, and networking opportunities that only we offer.
- Four full days of learning and networking opportunities;
- Day-long Main Street Four-Point Approach® training;
- Mobile workshops that focus on revitalization successes in Chicago and surrounding Illinois Main Street communities;
- Expo Hall filled with product and service providers specializing in commercial district revitalization; and
Opportunities to network with colleagues who are experiencing similar successes and challenges in their communities.
New in 2009: Technology Showcases and Tutorials
From Facebook and MySpace to blogs and editing photos – we will feature tutorials on dozens of technology tools that you’ll be hearing about throughout the conference. You’ll go home knowing which tools will work for you and how to use them as well. These back-to-back, half-hour slots will offer software showcases and technology instruction Monday and Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. Many topics will be repeated so you can fit a few of these into your busy schedule.
