2024 Illinois Main Street Conference
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
The 2024 Illinois Main Street Conference is November 12-14th, 2024 in Batavia, Illinois.
PROGRAM
Schedule At-A-Glance
2024 Illinois Main Street Conference Program
AGENDA
Tuesday
November 12th
3:00-5:00PM
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Interiors For Business
409 N River St, Batavia, IL
3:00-5:00PM(By Invitation Only)
Instructor: Joi Cuartero Austin
In this interactive workshop, we will take a deep dive into the Main Street America Accreditation Standards—key best practices designed to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of local Main Street programs. Attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of the six Accreditation Standards, including baseline requirements, and explore real-life examples of successful programs. We’ll also discuss actionable steps that Executive Directors and board members can take to align their programs with these standards and work toward achieving accreditation.
This session will also introduce the 2025 Virtual Accreditation Alignments, a streamlined process that allows any community to complete the accreditation process remotely. Participants will receive guidance on preparing for these alignments, including completing self-assessments and gathering important materials such as budgets, work plans, and bylaws for discussion. Attendees will leave with clear recommendations and resources to prepare for accreditation or improve their programs' alignment with the best practices of Main Street America.
Target Audience: Executive Directors and staff of Main Street designated programs
Takeaways:
Detailed overview of the six Main Street America Accreditation Standards
How to use self-assessments and gather essential materials to prepare for accreditation
Real-life success stories from high-functioning Main Street programs
Preparation for 2025 Virtual Accreditation Alignments
Pre-Visit Preparation: Participants are encouraged to review Main Street America Accreditation Overview Webinars and complete the self-assessment tool available online before the session. Visit the Get Started resources.
5:00-9:00PM
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Sturdy Shelter Brewing
10 Shumway Ave
5:00-9:00PMAfter checking into your hotel or arriving to the Welcome Reception, stop by the registration table to grab your badge, conference program, and other goodies in your swag bag sponsored by the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
6:00-9:00PM
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Sturdy Shelter Brewing
10 Shumway Ave
6:00-9:00PMBegin the conference with an evening of conversation and connection with community revitalization leaders from across the state. Hear welcome remarks from our Batavia hosts and start celebrating work done throughout this past year. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones as you enjoy river views and cold brews at Sturdy Shelter Brewing located along the Fox River.
Attendees receive 2 drink tickets and 1 food voucher for Fernando's Street Kitchen.
Wednesday
November 13th
8:00-10:00AM
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After checking into your hotel or arriving to the Opening Keynote, stop by the registration table to grab your badge, conference program, and other goodies in your swag bag sponsored by the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Batavia Public Library
10 S Batavia Ave
8:00-9:00AM
9:00-10:00AM
Opening Keynote
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Batavia Public Library
10 S Batavia Ave
Founders Room
9:00-10:00AMClick here to view presentation
Deb Brown helps you solve your small town challenges.
Learn how to make your community Idea Friendly and hear the stories of projects from rural communities: filling empty buildings with entrepreneurs, using scrap cars to make art, finding volunteers and rehabbing an old school into a community center are just a few.
The old way was to let a small group of people make all the decisions for your town. The new way is to let everyone participate! You do that by implementing the Idea Friendly Method. You start with your big goal for your community. You use that goal to Gather Your Crowd. You turn your crowd into a powerful network by Building Connections. And you and your newly powerful network accomplish that goal by Taking Small Steps.
The Idea Friendly Method helps small towns, rural communities and urban downtowns to bypass traditional hierarchies that hold people back, whether their idea is for a new business, a community project or a way to make their place a little better together. Come prepared to take your own Idea Friendly Project home and put it into place!
The first 100 to register will receive a copy of Deb's recently published book, "From Possibilities to Reality: Save Your Small Town with these Uniquely Do-able Ideas, Projects, and Success Stories."
10:00-10:30AM
Break
10:30-11:30AM
Breakout Sessions
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Batavia Public Library
10 S Batavia Ave
Founders Room I
10:30-11:30AMClick here to view presentation
Join us for “Mental Health in the Workplace,” an engaging session dedicated to exploring the critical role of mental health in professional environments. This presentation will provide valuable insights into recognizing mental health issues, creating supportive workplace policies, implementing practical strategies to enhance employee well-being, and where to start with the development of a mental health plan. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of mental health on productivity and learn how to foster a healthier, more resilient workforce. This session is essential for business owners, managers, and community leaders committed to nurturing a thriving workplace culture.
Presenter Information:
Dr. Jennea Klingenberg ("Dr. J") is a dynamic and passionate mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and licensed-eligible clinical psychologist dedicated to transforming lives and workplace environments and community well-being. With a PsyD. in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience in both clinical and organizational settings, Dr. J specializes in developing comprehensive mental health strategies for individuals, businesses, and communities. She is the founder of Jennea B Klingenberg, a consulting firm that offers tailored coaching and mental health solutions to professional women and organizations. Dr J's work extends to her nonprofit efforts, The HOYCE Center, where she designs impactful programs addressing violence prevention and basic needs support for youth and families. A sought-after speaker and digital creator, Dr. J is also an accomplished author, currently working on various grief journals for different age groups. Her expertise, combined with her commitment to fostering mental wellness, makes her a leading figure in the field, dedicated to helping others lead fulfilling and balanced lives. -
Batavia Public Library
10 S Batavia Ave
Founders Room II
10:30-11:00AMThere are pervasive myths and misunderstandings about historic designations and what rules and regulations apply to historic structures. What are the rules? The government will tell me what to do! This session will provide an overview of the National Register of Historic Places, facts and fiction. There will be a focus on the myths surrounding the National Register and what designation does and does NOT require of property owners. In addition, the session will review the importance of Historic Districts, how to create one, and what incentives are available for properties in them.
Presenter Information:
Quinn Adamowski is the Regional Advocacy Manager for Landmarks Illinois, serving as the organization’s frontline preservation advocate in greater Illinois. He is a leader, administrator, and organizer who is committed to enhancing the quality of life of communities through advocacy for historic preservation, the arts and tourism. Quinn serves on numerous boards and commissions statewide and within his hometown of Joliet, including Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Joliet Historic Preservation Commission, and others. -
Batavia Public Library
10 S Batavia Ave
Founders Room II
11:00-11:30Click here to view presentation
Where can we find help to save our buildings? This session will provide an overview of Landmarks Illinois, the statewide historic preservation non-profit organization. This crash course will cover the services, programs, and partnership opportunities provided by Landmarks Illinois and how they assist local organizations and advocates to preserve historically and culturally significant resources in communities across the state. Participants are encouraged to ask questions about needs in their community.
Presenter Information:
Quinn Adamowski is the Regional Advocacy Manager for Landmarks Illinois, serving as the organization’s frontline preservation advocate in greater Illinois. He is a leader, administrator, and organizer who is committed to enhancing the quality of life of communities through advocacy for historic preservation, the arts and tourism. Quinn serves on numerous boards and commissions statewide and within his hometown of Joliet, including Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Joliet Historic Preservation Commission, and others. -
Water Street Studios
160 S Water St
10:30-11:30AMClick here to view presentation
Let your host guide you in a transformative journey into the essence of Main Street. We will blend storytelling, success stories, and interactive discussions to provide fresh perspectives on storefront enhancements, public space activation, and community engagement. Attendees will learn practical techniques to boost economic vitality, improve the district's design quality, and promote downtown as a vibrant destination.
Through guided group activities, attendees will explore how to adapt these creative solutions to their unique community, leave equipped with actionable tools to implement immediately, engage top talent, and transform Main Street into a thriving hub of economic and social activity.
Presenter Information:
Jaime J. Izurieta is an architect, designer and author focused on guiding local leaders to improve the quality of the interaction between users and the built environment. Jaime is the founder of Storefront Mastery, an award-winning creative agency that works with place management organizations to create outstanding downtown experiences by designing and activating the interaction between local businesses and the community. Academic training includes a MSc. in Local Economic Development from IHS Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands, M.Arch and M.F.A. Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and B.A. Graphic Design from Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Additional Academic achievements: City Marketing Diploma from the International Center for Land Policy Studies and Training in Taiwan, Republic of China. Jaime brought innovative concepts and ideas to the teaching of Urban Theory and Architectural and Urban Design Studios at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and Universidad de las Americas in Ecuador for 8 years. With over 20 years of experience as an architect, designer, small business owner, university professor, public official, and economic development consultant, Jaime proudly serves communities all over the nation from Montclair, New Jersey. -
The Comedy Vault
18 E Wilson St
10:30-11:30AMClick here to view presentation
“Welcoming, historic, charming, walkable, family-friendly…” sound familiar? Communities and districts throughout the nation are using many of the same words to describe themselves. Light pole banners in business nodes and along downtown corridors often reinforce a common set of verbs–live, shop, play, dine. In a world where the word “unique” is itself a contradiction, how can communities and organizations differentiate themselves, avoid falling victim to common vernacular, and stand out from the crowd to attract residents, businesses, and visitors?
This session will unpack the strategies used to reveal and position your community in a sea of others, including:
(1) Dig in & Discover your Special Sauce: ways to uncover a community’s hidden strengths through engagement, exploration, research, and analysis.
(2) The Logo Dilemma: how to successfully navigate the politics of designing a new brand– Including building support from the brand naysayers.
(3) The 3 Ps of a Rebrand: how public art, placemaking, and photography can help tell your story.We’ll employ live polling throughout the presentation to help structure the conversation and host a facilitated Q+A at the end.
Presenter Information:
Rachael Aziz is a designer and AICP-certified planner specializing in place-based brand identities and experiential marketing campaigns. Rachael’s design and planning solutions are centered in empathy—she puts stakeholders at ease, listens, and then creatively captures the spirit of a place and its people. Because of her unique process and background, her designs are featured in public spaces, on signage, and along trails in communities across the country. Rachael is trained on ICA’s Technology of Participation engagement methods.Marisa Schulz is a writer and urban planner with 20 years of experience in community outreach, planning, and branding. While at the City of Austin and through her work in neighborhoods from Detroit to Santiago, Chile, Marisa has worked closely with communities to ensure the public plays a vital role in creating people-centric places. Her work has been in featured in Next City, Bloomberg, the New York Times, and USA Today. Marisa has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in sustainability, planning, and design at DePaul University in Chicago. She is a trained facilitator.
Erin Cigliano is a community planner, outreach specialist, and visual storyteller who thrives on shaping inspiring, collaborative processes and plans. As a Principal Planner & Creative Strategist at Teska, she applies her passion for people-centered places and skills in communication, design and planning to support clients and organizations with crafting actionable solutions for the now, near and next. Born and raised in Chicago by two artists, her roots have instilled a deep appreciation for the diverse tapestry of life and ways through which we live, connect, and share our stories. Originally drawn to planning through the lens of historic preservation, Erin is a self-proclaimed “main-street nut” with range of experience in historic district revitalization, design guidelines, and strategic planning initiatives. Recent ‘Main Street’ projects include developing a master plan with corresponding design guidelines for Historic West Des Moines, Iowa and crafting the Long-Range Strategic Plan for Mount Sterling, Illinois, a project in partnership with All Together and Small Nation. Erin received her bachelor’s in urban planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a graduate of the Edward Tufte Design Training Course and serves on the Board for The Wabash Lights.
Jason Berry is an AICP economic and community development professional with wide-ranging experience in real estate development, historic preservation, sustainability, active transportation, TOD and traditional urbanism, heritage tourism, urban agriculture, brownfields revitalization, zoning and land use law, and public engagement. He currently serves as the Economic & Community Development Director of the Village of Lemont.
Jennifer Fournier brings nearly 20 years of experience in business strategy, digital transformation, and marketing. As the founder of viaDIGERATI, Jennifer sharpened her expertise in the ultra-competitive tech space, helping clients uncover their edge and outperform competitors.
When she was recruited as chair of her municipal Economic Development Commission to serve on the regional tourism bureau's board, Jennifer recognized the need for fresh, competitive thinking in destination marketing. This led her to launch Kick Push, where she creates immersive tourism experiences designed to foster deeper connections between visitors and destinations. Through a lean marketing philosophy, she proves that even with modest investments, high ROI is achievable, empowering smaller destinations to stand tall among industry giants.
Jennifer’s passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, coupled with her relentless focus on data and results, makes her a trusted leader in the fields of tourism, marketing, and business strategy.
11:30-1:00PM
Lunch Around Downtown
1:00-2:00PM
Breakout Sessions
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Batavia Public Library
10 S Batavia Ave
Founders Room I
1:00-2:00PMClick here to view presentation
This session will focus on “How to Use Data to Inform” decision-making processes, integrating equity and inclusion components. The session will provide an overview of the Black Researchers Collective work with Main Street America (MSA) and how data-informed strategies have impacted corridor managers’ work in community development.
Session Outline:
1. Introduction to BRC’s Model and Work (15-20 minutes)
Overview of BRC’s model of “Community Data Intensives” and “Private Coaching Sessions”.
Discussion of BRC’s partnership with MSA and the outcomes achieved.
2. Panel Discussion with Corridor Managers (20-30 minutes)
A co-led discussion with 1-3 corridor managers (potentially from Pullman, Roseland, North Lawndale, Humboldt Park and/or Austin) on how data-driven strategies informed their project transformation.
Sharing of practical examples and key takeaways from their experiences.
3. Q&A and Audience Engagement (10-15 minutes)
Open floor for questions from the audience.
Discussion on how attendees can replicate or adapt these strategies for their own community development work.
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Batavia Public Library
10 S Batavia Ave
Founders Room II
1:00-2:00PMClick here to view presentation
Join us on a journey through history as we explore the lasting impact of demolishing historic buildings. While the immediate effects may not always be obvious, over time, once vibrant downtowns can become ghost towns, replaced by parking lots and sense of place and identity. Through real-world case studies, we‚ll examine both successes and missed opportunities, as well as the potential revenue lost through demolition. The session will conclude with practical tools to navigate the challenges of redevelopment. Though the past may haunt us, there’s hope for preserving and revitalizing the future of our built environment!
Presenter Information:
Ashley Sarver is passionate about sustainable and equitable improvements in communities and sees urban planning, design, and intentional real estate development as ways to partner with others and make that happen. Her specialties lie in historic real estate finance, corridor planning, and envisioning new spaces in old buildings. Ashley has been nicknamed “planitect” by her Studio GWA coworkers for her ability to dip into the design world just enough to be dangerous and then connect that vision to project feasibility.As an experienced senior architect at Studio GWA, Aaron Holverson is responsible for managing projects from the initial client conversations all the way through to on-site problem solving with the contractors. He has a Master of Architecture in traditional architecture and urbanism, and if you ask him, he’ll tell you why that is so cool.
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Water Street Studios
160 S Water St
1:00-2:00PMClick here to view presentation
A panel of representatives from Rogers Park and the City of Evanston will discuss how they came together to secure state funding and create a shared economic recovery plan for Howard Street, a historic commercial corridor anchored by a major transit station that also forms the municipal boundary between Chicago and Evanston. In addition to partnering on the planning process itself, Rogers Park Business Alliance and the City of Evanston are continuing to work together on plan implementation for a more cohesive Howard Street corridor.
Howard Street is one of the most economically and culturally diverse communities in the state of Illinois, and is home to several social service organizations serving low-income and unhoused neighbors. Knowing this, the project team made it a point to include representatives from some of these organizations on the project steering committee and engage their constituents through in-person focus groups, intercept surveys, and use of survey incentives to ensure inclusion and representation in our data and recommendations. We intend to share some of these lessons and best practices for centering equity and inclusion in plan development and implementation.
This session will include a Q&A with the audience.
Presenter Information:
Cindy Plante joined Rogers Park Business Alliance in 2019. Cindy is the Special Service Area manager for Howard Street and Jarvis Square SSA #19, Devon Avenue SSA #43 and Sheridan Road SSA #54. Before joining RPBA she worked for several years in economic development at the City of Evanston and Village of Winnetka. Cindy has a Master’s in Public Administration from NC State University and a Bachelor’s in Communications and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A Rogers Park resident since 2013, Cindy lives with her husband Scott and two cats – Ginsburg and WafflesPaul Zalmezak joined the City of Evanston in 2011 and serves as the Economic Development Manager focused on business district improvement, business attraction and retention efforts throughout Evanston. Prior to joining the City of Evanston, Paul worked as a neighborhood economic development planner for the City of Chicago covering the Loop, River North, Cabrini and Goose Island, and worked for several years as an economic development consultant conducting market analyses, tax increment financing, and special service area creation. Paul holds a master’s degree in urban planning, focused on economic development, from Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy from Michigan State University.
Ann Hinterman is Director of Community Engagement and Grants Management at Family Matters, a youth development and community leadership nonprofit based in the North of Howard area of Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. At Family Matters, Ann leads efforts to build community and collaboration as the facilitator of the award-winning North of Howard Together collective. Prior to working at Family Matters, Ann was the Director of Housing and Environmental Issues for Chicago Alderman Joe Moore and was the founding farmers market manager of Glenwood Sunday Market. She attended the University of Chicago and has been a Rogers Park resident since 2009.
Ally Brisbin (she/her) is a Director at MUSE Community + Design, a woman-owned urban planning and public engagement firm based in Chicago. With a background in journalism and small business marketing, Ally finds creative ways to connect the more technical aspects of MUSE’s work to community members’ everyday lives. She has led or supported projects for clients including Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Chicago Transit Authority, City of Evanston, and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Ally has more than a decade of experience in block-level community development, including five years on staff in a Chicago Alderman’s office, owning and running two brick-and-mortar businesses, and working as a Chamber of Commerce employee.
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The Comedy Vault
18 E Wilson St
1:00-2:00PMClick here to view presentation
Vibrant main streets can take time and patience-- to create a shared vision, to overcome infrastructure hurdles, and to curate a pipeline of businesses interested and able to fill those storefronts. Emerging research shows that the appetite for business ownership is strong in rural communities, but they are falling through the cracks of traditional economic development strategies. Join us to learn what these aspiring business owners want and how to implement the “micro” economic development strategies that engage and support them at the earliest stages, thereby creating a pipeline of viable businesses to grow into your main street and beyond.
Presenter Information:
Marci Goodwin is passionate about helping local small businesses thrive. She draws from her 20 years of experience as a small business owner, including over 12 years in marketing and small business coaching, to drive entrepreneur engagement, programming, and marketing for SmartStart. She is passionate about removing barriers for rural micro business ownership.Leigh Ann Brown is a former Main Street Director, an experienced economic development and chamber executive with a passion for helping build and support community through local business development. She has worked in numerous rural communities throughout central Illinois, and brings that knowledge to the table when connecting prospective business owners to resources, and championing the ROI of micro economic and business development strategies.
2:00-2:30PM
Break
2:30-4:00PM
Downtown Batavia Community Tours
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The Depot Museum
155 Houston St
2:30-4:00PMBatavia Historic Tour - guided by Kate Garrett of The Depot Museum
Focus will be preservation and adaptive reuse in Downtown Batavia
Starts at the Depot Museum (155 Houston St.)
Will go by City Hall - former Windmill Factory
The former site of the Newton Wagon Company
Stop at Sturdy Shelter Brewing
Go by the old paper bag factory
Final stop will be at Grainology BrewStillery (131 Flinn Street Suite C)
There will be an opportunity to network/discuss adaptive reuse at Grainology.
(drinks can be purchased)
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Water Street Studios
160 S Water St
2:30-4:00PMLearn from local artists to hear what inspires them to make downtown Batavia the home for their art and how they engage the community to keep the arts alive and well in unique spaces throughout downtown.
Batavia Public Art Tour - guided by Sabrina Martin of Water Street Studios
Focus will be on public art. Starts at the Water Street Studios (160 Water Street). The tour will cover:
Art alley at Water Street
Sculptures at the Depot Pond
New art installations at Appleton Park
The kaleidoscope at the pedestrian bridge
The Peace Bridge
The Self Made Man on River
The sculptures on the Wilson Street bridge
Bulldogs on Wilson and First streets
Ending at Water Street Studios
There will be an opportunity to network/discuss public art at Water Street Studios
(drinks will be provided)
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New Moon Vegan
119 S Batavia
2:30-4:00PMVisit the Boardwalk Shops, an innovative and award-winning business incubation space in downtown Batavia. Hear from local small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs as they put their passion to work.
Batavia Small Business Tour - guided by Beth Walker and Kristen Desler of Batavia MainStreet
Focus on growing your entrepreneurial ecosystem. Will visit The Boardwalk Shops and alumni now in brick-and-mortar. Tour will depart from 119 S. Batavia Ave.
Tentative plan (will be walking the route to make sure all stops are possible):
Thrown Threads - 2023 alumni of BW
New Moon Vegan - 2021 alumni of BW
Farmdog Flowers - 2021 alumni of BW
Pretty Pages / Mojo's - 2021 alumni of BW
The Boardwalk Shops
Wilson Street Mercantile
Light & Pine Collective 2020 alumni of BW
Desmond Brown 2020 alumni of BW
Arlo.Hendrix Kids 2022 alumni of BW
Ending at Wilson Street Mercantile for an opportunity to network/discuss Entrepreneurial Ecosystems.
(snack and beverage to be provided)
4:00-5:00PM
Break
5:00-9:00PM
Cocktail Hour & Awards Reception
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Revelry 675
675 S River St
Batavia, IL
5:00-8:00PMWelcome to an evening of appreciation and recognition! The 2024 Illinois Main Street Awards celebrate success within downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the state. Help us recognize work in Organization, Design, Economic Vitality, and Promotions, along with Volunteer and Board Members of the Year.
Starting at 6:00pm, join us as we present the Lieutenant Governor Award for Excellence in Revitalization, recognizing outstanding Illinois and Chicago Main Street programs and activities, as well as the inspiring people who drive revitalization efforts in their communities.
Casual attire. Hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, and dinner will be served. Event included in ticket registration. Dinner to be served at 7:00pm.
Thursday
November 14th
9:00-10:00AM
Breakout Sessions
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Batavia Public Library
Founders Room I
9:00-10:00AMClick here to view presentation
In this dynamic presentation, we will explore the transformative power of authentic engagement and how it drives positive change in communities. Authentic engagement is more than just participating in a meeting or filling out a survey. It is a genuine, reciprocal relationship built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect. It cultivates a sense of ownership, belonging, and empowerment among community members. Authentic engagement starts long before the first meeting and transforms stakeholders into lasting community champions. Our presentation covers the psychology of change, a community change framework, a case study, and the dos and don'ts of authentic engagement in planning.
Presenter Information:
Maggie Strong is a dedicated community builder passionate about helping communities and organizations think creatively and act strategically. In 2016, she founded Strong Consulting to provide expert guidance in strategic planning and community engagement, believing that thriving communities empower all people and that healthy organizations contribute to these communities. She fosters actions that uplift individuals, strengthen impactful organizations, and create vibrant communities. With 20 years of experience in strategic planning, communications, and public engagement, Maggie has held roles as an economic development vice president and marketing executive. She has led strategic planning initiatives, business retention and attraction efforts, fundraising campaigns, marketing initiatives, and public relations strategies, and facilitated strong public-private partnerships along the way. Maggie holds a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in arts management. She is a certified Nonprofit Board Consultant through BoardSource and trained in the McNellis Compression Planning® methodology. She is currently pursuing her AI Consultants for Nonprofits Certification. Maggie is known for her authenticity, humor, and sense of urgency. She brings a deep respect for all people to her work, making her an expert facilitator who can inspire and drive meaningful connections and change. -
Batavia Public Library
Founders Room II
9:00-10:00AMClick here to view presentation
As a social enterprise of Cara Collective, Cleanslate is more than just exterior maintenance. We transform communities by finding motivated job seekers to create cleaner, safer streets. As part of this mission, hundreds of workers can be found in our neighborhoods each year, unlocking their power and purpose. Learn more about what we do and how it uniquely to do it to multiply the community dividend. We'll share best practices and what we have achieved over two decades working with business districts. Explore various funding models to make the biggest impact in your district.
Presenter Information:
Brady Gott serves as the Chief Social Enterprise Officer at Cara Collective in Chicago, where he oversees both Cleanslate and Cara Connects. Cara Collective is a leading organization dedicated to empowering individuals affected by homelessness and poverty through job creation and social enterprise. With unwavering commitment, Brady has been instrumental in creating over 700 jobs annually through these employment social enterprises initiatives since 2007. -
Water Street Studios
160 S Water St
9:00-10:00AMExplore innovative sources of capital that can successfully redevelop properties in downtown communities. This session will highlight the crucial role of local support in community development, navigating the challenges that arise, and leveraging federal, state, and local resources, alongside private investments, to make projects work. Discover how grassroots efforts form the foundation of successful developments, and how national resources are interconnected with local support and resilience. Above all, remember: Don’t Freak Out when things go awry – they always do.
Learn the intricate processes and comprehensive approach behind community and economic development, focusing on innovative resources that provide essential gap financing that gets development projects to the finish line. This session will cover a range of development types, from large mixed-use multifamily to smaller mixed-use developments with upper-story housing. This session will also explore significant economic development deals that create critical jobs in rural, underserved communities. Join us for a deep dive into the resources available to make your development and community goals a reality.
Presenter Information:
Brian Hollenback, who has led Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) since 1998, has turned GROWTH into a national force in community development, recognized for its pioneering economic and housing solutions, collaborative partnerships, and the deployment of over $1.4 billion in economic and housing development. His efforts have resulted in the creation of affordable workforce housing, improved job access, and the creation and support of nearly 17,900 jobs in underserved communities. -
The Comedy Vault
18 E Wilson ST
9:00-10:00AMClick here to view presentation
Join the Executive Director for the DNA of Elgin Jen Fukala and Krisilee Murphy, of Explore Elgin Area Visitor’s Bureau for a presentation on “Partnering with your local CVB on Mainstreet.” This program will be an A-to-Z overview including: Relationship building and understanding the different perspectives and roles of tourism promotion vs. economic development work. Ideas for collaborative projects and marketing initiatives Leveraging State Tourism Grants on Mainstreet Advocating together to benefit your community Examples that have worked for us in Elgin.
Presenter Information:
Jennifer Fukala has served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin (DNA) since 2017. Under her leadership, DNA has been dedicated to fostering a vibrant community by supporting and promoting downtown businesses, driving economic development, and organizing engaging events. Prior to her tenure with DNA, Jennifer built a robust career in operations management, leadership, and training program management within the food and beverage industry. Over 17 years, she held various roles with prominent companies such as Panera, Applebee's, Whole Foods, and Medieval Times.Krisilee Murphy is the President/CEO of Explore Elgin Area, the state-certified destination marketing organization for Elgin and 10 surrounding communities. She recently celebrated her 15th anniversary with the company working her way from Intern to President/CEO. She is currently the Board Secretary for the Illinois Destinations Association and avid supporter of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin. Partnering on projects ranging from hosting a two-month events campaign bringing all Elgin holiday events together under one marketing program to the multi-year Weekend in Downtown Elgin digital campaign promoting downtown Elgin as a place for visitors and residents to spend an entire weekend.
10:00-10:30AM
Break
10:30-11:30AM
Breakout Sessions
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Batavia Public Library
Founders Room I
10:30-11:30AMClick here to view presentation
Entrepreneurship can combat long-standing economic inequalities for both the business owner and the community where the business operates. However, equitable access to services and resources that would give business owners the tools they need to be successful is often lacking. Learn how to establish familiarity and trust with businesses through door to door visits, engage resource service providers for entrepreneurs seeking assistance and activate collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and partners to support your business community with the goal of increasing business engagement, sustaining the local economy to form a resilient and empowered local ecosystem.
Presenter Information:
Alexia Guzman joined Rogers Park Business Alliance in January of 2021. She received her undergraduate degree in Advertising and Public Relations and earned her Masters in Marketing at Loyola University Chicago in 2021. She appreciates the opportunity to make her education, resources and insights accessible to local businesses and empower them through the Economic Empowerment Center and Business Accessibility Toolkit (BAT) program. In her free time, she likes to play Sudoku, learn new vocabulary words, study astrology, and dabble in arts and crafts. Hablo español.Sheree Moratto joined Rogers Park Business Alliance in 2011. She is the lead of GROW, the English version of our Entrepreneurial Training Program. Sheree also manages RPBA Help Desk, leads RPBA’s Capital Access Initiative, is an Advisor to Illinois Small Business Development Center and assists with organizational fundraising and strategic partnership initiatives. She is the founder of RPBA’s farmers market, Glenwood Sunday Market and of the GROW/PROGRESANDO Entrepreneurial Training Program. Sheree has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and specializes in program development and project management. Sheree develops and presents curriculum to entrepreneurs on all aspects of business development and management in person and virtually. She has been a presenter and panelist for many other business service organizations on many topics including strategic partnership development, entrepreneurial training and program development.
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Batavia Public Library
Founders Room II
10:30-11:30AMClick here to view presentation
Based on the 2020 census data (Hill, 2021), 87 of Illinois’ 102 counties experienced population decline between 2010 and 2020. Communities across Illinois continue to experience an out-migration of its youngest and brightest talent.
What can downtown developers do to assist in reversing this exodus? Young adults are looking for a work-life balance and downtown centers have been shown to play a crucial role in providing the amenities that can make communities more desirable to young talent. Developing a strategic plan or updating existing plans to specifically address young talent attraction could have a major impact on any community’s future.
Presenter Information:
Pam Schallhorn is an Extension Specialist in Community and Economic Development with University of Illinois. Schallhorn has spent the last nine years examining what prompts people, especially young adults between the ages of 20 and 39, to return or remain in their communities. She has presented on the topic at both state and national conferences. Before coming to Extension, Pam was a commercial lender for over two decades as well as Director of the Small Business Development Center in Rockford, IL. She has earned a master’s degree in political studies and a bachelor’s degree in finance. -
Water Street Studios
160 S Water St
10:30-11:30AMClick here to view presentation
This session is for all those looking to improve downtown, focusing on how to collaborate between grassroots advocates and local government leaders to find the best ways to move the needle on revitalization. A solid foundation of collaborative public-private governance is the starting point for any Main Street effort. To grow your local impact, navigating relationships and processes is key. Join this session to hear about case studies, statistics, and strategies to strengthen revitalization efforts.
Presenter Information:
As the Director of Government Relations, Kelly Humrichouser leads Main Street America's (MSA) work to uplift the role of Main Street organizations to policy and decision makers. She works alongside MSA's state, city, and country Coordinating Programs in defending and growing their programs and supports MSA's great network of Main Street programs in pushing for federal support for Main Streets. Prior to serving as the Director of Government Relations, Kelly was the Manager of Education & Illinois Main Street Coordinating Program. In this role, Kelly managed the Main Street America Institute (MSAI) and coordinated training, technical service, and communications for the Illinois Main Street program. Before joining MSA in 2016, Kelly worked at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). From northeast Ohio, Kelly holds a BA in Art History from Kenyon College and a MS. in Historic Preservation from SAIC, and an MPA in Public Policy from the O’Neill School at Indiana University. -
The Comedy Vault
10:30-11:30AMClick here to view presentation
Aurora's rich history, dating back to 1837, includes our designation as the "City of Lights," earned in 1881 when we were the first to install electric street lighting downtown. Despite our historic charm and status as Illinois' second-largest city, our "Eat – Drink – Play – More" message had become uninspired and common. Like many downtowns, however, our greatest challenge was our greatest opportunity: while our previous message no longer resonated in today's competitive environment, we were given a chance to find out "who" downtown Aurora had become.
In fall 2023, we began by redefining our branding, logos, and marketing messages. We aimed to understand our unique identity, brand voice, role as a community builder, and authenticity that made Aurora's downtown stand out. We discovered Aurora to be bold, respectful of history, and committed to reimagining our local landscape and offerings.
Join us as we share insights from our branding journey, including the elements that resonated with us, how we reclaimed our unique space, and simple ways we brought in the voice of stakeholders. We'll also share how our research compared our efforts to other communities, identifying what worked and what didn’t.
Our presentation, "Rebranding a Downtown: Know Thy History to Know Thy Future," highlights how understanding our history helps define our future. This process, led by Executive Director Tina de Chaud and Michele Kelly, cofounder of K+L Storytelling, will showcase the heartfelt and thorough review that contributed to our rebranding, driven by our love for downtown Aurora.
Presenter Information:
With a proven track record across leading industries, Christina “Tina” de Chaud is an accomplished Executive Director, Marketer, and Business Development Professional. Tina has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision in roles at Baker & McKenzie, Foote, Cone & Belding, in higher education, non-profits, consumer packaged goods, and government bodies. Adept at fostering collaboration and leading diverse teams, Tina excels in dynamic, fast-paced environments. As the Executive Director at Aurora Downtown, the business improvement management organization for Illinois’ second largest city, Tina has spearheaded marketing initiatives, showcased businesses to reduce retail vacancies, and drove enhanced consumer traffic to the downtown district. Previously, as Associate Director of Global Client Operations at Baker McKenzie, Tina led the design and implementation of the firm’s worldwide CRM platform across 70+ countries and managed a $50+ million global key client portfolio. Tina’s extensive experience is underpinned by a Kellogg MBA in Marketing and a BA in International Relations from The American University’s School of International Service. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Tina’s professional journey is marked by her contagious enthusiasm, which inspires both her teammates and customers.Michele Kelly is cofounder and CEO of K+L Storytellers.Her philosophy: let your story tell the truth. In addition to urban brand strategy in collaboration with Aurora Downtown, Michele has led the naming and/or branding for organizations in aviation, marketing, retail, coaching/speaker, landscaping, consumer retail, finance and utilities. Her first love is being an Italian mother of three, but a close second is writing; she has penned more than one million words and continues to write feature articles, blogs, digital content and more for clients, weaving a brand's larger story into each content piece. She is a contributing author to Today’s Inspired Leader, Goldenheart II: We Are Your Family (Amazon bestseller in three categories), and 81 Words, a UK-published anthology of short stories. Michele has ghostwritten four published books and been a developmental editor and coach to more than 70 authors. K+L Storytellers is the official storytelling agency of the Valley Industrial Association. In 2016, she founded Your Extraordinary Story, a young author's program that helped raise reading scores at Washington Middle School.
11:30-12:00PM
Break
12:00-3:00PM
Better Block Build: Batavia
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Water Street Studios
160 S Water St
12:00-12:30PMClick here to view presentation
The Better Block began with an idea from a group of neighbors...
...who wondered, “How could we have bike lanes like those found in Holland? How could we have night food markets like those found in Thailand and beer gardens like those in Munich?”
They realized they couldn’t. There were decades-old ordinances on their city books that prohibited them from creating spaces like those they dreamed of.
So they did the only thing they could: they broke some rules.
For one weekend, they took over their block. They painted bike lanes, coordinated pop-up food markets and retailers, and created a beer garden. They called their experiment the Better Block, and through it, the community brainstormed together, learned together, and ultimately shared in the beautiful and vibrant spaces they helped create together.
The drive to make places better was placed in the hands of neighbors, and they ran with it. Over the years, Better Blocks have been implemented from Portland to Detroit and Melbourne to Tahran.
In 2015, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation gave Jason Roberts a capacity grant to create a nonprofit that could continue the work, and provide resources and tools to community leaders interested in creating their own Better Blocks. Thus the Better Block Foundation was born.
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Water Street Studios - Loading Dock next door
12:30-3:00PMCasual attire recommended. Lunch will be provided to participants.
Join the Better Block, an international urban design nonprofit based in Dallas, Texas, and learn about the tools we provide for communities to create change in days not decades.
During the workshop, participants will:
Learn about the Better Block process: We’ll walk you through the steps of creating a Better Block, from initial inspiration to final execution.
Embrace the power of placemaking: Explore the art of placemaking and how it can transform ordinary spaces into dynamic community hubs through case studies.
Build teamwork and community spirit: Participants will build one of way finding signage based of four Wikiblock library, which is digitally fabricated furniture that’s built without any glue, screws, or nails (it’s easier than Ikea, we promise).
This hands-on experience will give conference goers an opportunity to bring a DIY approach to downtown Batavia.
Following the Better Block presentation of their process, global success, and How-To lessons to building better blocks in your town, we will begin our own build.
In the weeks leading up to the conference, Batavia MainStreet has been hard at work building a few interesting wayfinding landmark signs using an open source Wikiblock toolkit.
Help us finish the build, placement, and installation around downtown Batavia. Tour the build and learn what certain aspects were chosen and how to incorporate these elements in your own community.
The Better Block Foundation is an international, urban design nonprofit that educates, equips, and empowers communities and their leaders to reshape and reactivate built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. In its nine years, Better Block has worked with neighbors in more than 90 cities to rethink streets, turn parking lots to plazas, and identify the barriers keeping communities from enjoying their public spaces. The work has resulted in economic development, calmed streets, and has lowered crime rates. But most importantly, it brings neighbors together. Learn more at betterblock.org.
3:00PM
Conference Closing Remarks & Thank You’s
VENUES
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Sturdy Shelter Brewery
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Batavia Public Library
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Water Street Studios
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The Comedy Vault
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Revelry 675
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Boardwalk Shops
ABOUT
The annual Illinois Main Street State Conference is a two-day event celebrating historic Main Streets, downtown districts and neighborhood commercial areas essential to thriving communities.
Powered by dedicated professionals, volunteers, and civic leaders, the conference aims to bring together leaders, advocates, and enthusiasts to learn from industry experts on how to grow and sustain downtown districts as hubs of economic and social opportunity.
The 2024 Illinois Main Street State Conference will be November 12-14 in Batavia and will include general sessions, concurrent breakout sessions, informational tours, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall. The conference is brought to you by Illinois Main Street, in partnership with Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, the Driehaus Foundation, and Batavia MainStreet.
Attend the Illinois Main Street Conference if you:
Are interested in a healthy, thriving commercial district;
Are a current staff member, board member, or volunteer with a downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program;
Hold a position in city or county government in leadership, economic development, planning, tourism, or other related fields;
Hold an elected position as an official in city, county, or state government;
Work in a related industry such as non-profit development, community development, historic preservation and design;
Want to learn about the combination community development, historic preservation, and economic development that creates lasting impact in downtowns.
What will you learn?
Engaging with experts in community revitalization, and with a special appearance by Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, you will learn about:
The Main Street Approach, a national model for downtown development with a 40 year track record of success.
In-depth topics such as: Downtown Development Finance; Business Recruitment, Retention and Expansion; Importance of Public Arts; Equitable Community Engagement; Creating a Cultural Destination and more!
Find time to meet with Illinois Main Street staff on the onboarding and application process for your community to become a member of the Illinois Main Street program.
Become an Illinois Main Street member and save!
Revitalization works better with a group of active participants in your community. Illinois Main Street Members receive one (1) complimentary registration per community and will receive a promo code in advance. Other IMS Members receive 50% off of the General Admission price of $150.
Join the IMS Network to receive ticket discounts, invitations to special events, educational trainings, and so much more throughout the year!
Contact Erik Reader, Director of Illinois Main Street by email at ereader@mainstreet.org to learn more.
HOTEL INFO
Comfort Inn & Suites
1555 E. Fabyan Parkway
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 208-8811
Website
Rates: (Must mention Batavia MainStreet for block rate)
Standard $119.99
Suite $129.99
Shuttle available from hotel
My Place Hotel
1000 Kilbery Lane
North Aurora, IL 60542
Phone: (630) 256-8485
Website
Rates: (Must mention Batavia MainStreet for block rate by November 1st to receive reduced rate)
Single Queen $100
Double Queen $105
No shuttle provided
Sponsors & Supporters
