Illinois Main Street Conference
About Illinois Main Street Conference
Powered by community, dedicated professionals, volunteers, and civic leaders, historic Main Street districts and neighborhood commercial corridors are at the heart of, and essential to, thriving communities.
The 2022 Illinois Main Street Conference brings together leaders, advocates, and cheerleaders to learn from each other and industry experts on how to grow and sustain downtown districts as centers of economic and social opportunity.
Strengthen the heart of your community during the 2022 Illinois Main Street Conference and Awards.
Join commercial district revitalization professionals from across the state Tuesday-Thursday, October 18-20.
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Day 1 | October 18
Evening Welcome Reception
The Hangar Art Co.
105 W. Jefferson St.Live Screen Printing!
Make your own Conference Swag
BYO t-shirt or purchase on siteCider & Sweater Sip n Shop
Various Downtown Businesses
Open Late Until 8 p.m.Downtown Bloomington retailers, restaurants, and art studios-galleries are extending their hours until 8 p.m. to welcome you to Bloomington. Shop, dine, and stroll your way through downtown Bloomington.
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Day 2 | October 19
Education & Workshops
McLean County Museum of History
200 North Main St. | Court Room & Classroom
The Hangar Art Co. at 105 W. Jefferson St.Awards Celebration
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
600 N East St.IT'S BACK! The Illinois Main Street Awards celebration is back to recognize Excellence in Downtown Revitalization. Presented by Lt. Governor, Julianna Stratton.
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Day 3 | October 20
Education & Workshops
McLean County Museum of History200 North Main St. | Court Room & Classroom
The Hangar Art Co. at 105 W. Jefferson St.Closing Keynote Lunch
Reality On Monroe
111 East Monroe StreetThe final networking lunch and keynote session with a dynamic presentation on building community partnerships in your neighborhood district.
Venues
Main Parking Garage | Lincoln Garage
101 E Front St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Vouchers provided for all attendees at Registration
McLean County Museum of History
200 North Main St. | Court Room & Classroom
Registration + Sessions
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
600 N East St.
Awards Celebration
The Hangar Art Co.
105 W. Jefferson St.
Tuesday Welcome Reception + Sessions
Reality On Monroe
111 East Monroe Street
Wednesday Closing Keynote Lunch
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Attend the 2022 Illinois Main Street Conference if you:
• Are interested in a healthy, thriving commercial district;
• Are a current staff 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;
• 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.
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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.
Bring Your Colleagues and Friends!
Revitalization works better with a group of active participants in your community! Bring three downtown revitalization colleagues and one ticket is FREE!
Buy two get one free.
Illinois Main Street
Member Pricing
$90 - 3-Day Conference
$50 - Awards Dinner
Bundle
$130 - Conference + Awards
$180 - Buy 2, Get 1
$300 - Buy 2, Get 1 + Awards
Non-Member
Pricing
$108 - 3-Day Conference
$50 - Awards Dinner
Bundle
$148 - Conference + Awards
$216 - Buy 2, Get 1
$336 - Buy 2, Get 1 + Awards
Hotel Accommodations & Rates
Holiday Inn & Suites Bloomington | 3202 East Empire St. | $114
Best Western Plus | 604 1/2 IAA Dr. | $109
Fairfield Inn | 1014 Wylie Drive | $129
Parking
Main Parking Garage | 120 N Main St, Bloomington, IL 61701
As part of your conference registration, you will receive a voucher for the Lincoln Parking Deck on the corner of Front and East Street. When you register, we request that you please let us know if you would like to use this voucher for both days, Wednesday, October 19, or Thursday, October 20.
The vouchers will be in your registration packets. On-street parking is 90 minutes, but there is free parking in the Market Street Parking deck on the corner of Monroe and Center, about three blocks from the conference venues.
About our 2022 Conference Host Community: Downtown Bloomington
About Bloomington
The City of Bloomington's Economic Development Division works with the Downtown Bloomington business community to promote and develop Downtown Bloomington in an effort to make it a better place to live, work, and play!
Downtown Bloomington hosts over 80 community events each year ranging from a year-round Farmers' Market, Community Concerts, First Fridays, and so much more!
As a Main Street America™ & Illinois Main Street Accredited program, Downtown Bloomington is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America.
Learn more about Downtown Bloomington
Self-Guided Tours
Public Art Self-Guided Tour
Downtown Bloomington is home to several murals and statues. Explore the public art and downtown Bloomington with a self-guided tour of the district.
Looking for Lincoln
Did you know that Mr. Lincoln decided to run for the presidency in Downtown Bloomington? You will learn about this fun fact and many others as you trace Abraham Lincoln’s Bloomington journey in this walk around the district. Grab a selfie with the man himself on the bench in front of the McLean County Museum of History. Inside the Museum, you will find an exhibit devoted to Mr. Lincoln’s life and times and plenty of Lincoln-related merchandise.