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What is the emphasis of this conference?

The Minnesota Main Streets Conference focuses on the Main Street 4 Point Approach™: Organization, Design, Promotion, and Economic Vitality. Each breakout session and keynote will tie into a specific aspect of these basic Main Street building blocks, providing deeper insights into best practices for district revitalization. 

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​Who should attend this conference?

Anyone interested in historic downtown and commercial district revitalization. City Staff, appointed and elected officials, Chamber Staff, Tourism Staff, local developers, building owners, business owners, and volunteers who are focusing efforts on their downtowns are welcome to attend. It’s important to have community members and volunteers from existing Main Street programs, but we very much welcome folks new to the Main Street world, or others working on Minnesota community and economic development activities.

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How much does it cost?

Rates are listed below with discounted rates for Minnesota Main Street Member (MMS) Communities, which includes Network, Associate, Affiliate, Accredited levels, Local Main Street Directors, and Students.

• Full Conference (General Public): $225

• Full Conference (MMS Communities): $200

• Full Conference (Local Main Street Directors): $125

• Full Conference (Student): $125

• Thursday Evening Social Only: $30

• Wednesday Main Street Basics ONLY: $0 (register separately - see note below)

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Conference & Social Only registration is open here.

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If you would like to attend ONLY Main Street Basics or if you are registered for the full conference and want to attend Basics in addition to the conference, please register for Main Street Basics here.

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​Where should I stay?

We have several room blocks booked at local hotels. The blocks as well as other lodging options can be found here. Please be sure to use the appropriate code or link as listed under your hotel description.

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What should I know about driving and parking?

We will share a parking map for registered conference attendees prior to the conference. Most on-street parking has a two-hour limit, but there are a few public lots. If you are staying at the Radisson, the majority of the busses passing by will take you directly into the heart of Lincoln Park. Home - Duluth Transit Authority. If you bring or rent a bike, all of the selections on the sheet are within a ten-minute ride, mostly on protected bikeways. For those staying at one of Lincoln Park's boutique hotels, you should be able to walk to most, if not all locations. Of course, Lyft, Uber, cabs, and carpooling are all available options as well. 

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Where are the conference locations?

We will be sharing conference locations soon but can confirm that all sessions except the Director's meeting will take place in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Friday's paid tour will meet in Lincoln Park but will tour all over Duluth.

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How should I dress?

We will be moving between spaces in Lincoln Park, so plan to wear shoes that are comfortable for walking. And because Duluth's weather can literally change within 10 minutes depending on if the wind is blowing off the lake, layers are your friend. Even if it is very warm where you live, don't be fooled. BRING A JACKET, SWEATER, OR SWEATSHIRT, especially for the Thursday tours. To quote a Duluth resident, "I have watched Fourth of July fireworks more than once with a jacket and long pants. There is a reason we are called 'the air-conditioned city'." 

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Registration is open here.

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