Every three years, the Mississippi Main Street Association hosts a tri-state conference called Destination Downtown that brings in more than 300 downtown revitalization professionals from the region to the host Main Street city.
Designated Main Street Communities are invited to submit a proposal to Mississippi Main Street Association to be the host site for Destination Downtown, scheduled for September 11-13, 2024.
Destination Downtown, a partnership between the Mississippi Main Street Association, Louisiana Main Street and Main Street Arkansas, is the South’s premier downtown revitalization conference with Main Street executive directors, board members, city officials, merchants, property owners and others gathering to share ideas on building sustainable downtown communities.
The conference is open to anyone with an interest in the economic revitalization of historic commercial districts through a historic preservation approach. Destination Downtown is designed so that attendees learn from their colleagues as well as from experts in the field.
The 2024 Conference promises to be an exciting event, and Destination Downtown is fortunate to have partners such as the Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Department of Archives & History, and other statewide and local programs and organizations that contribute to Main Street programs throughout Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
The Mississippi Main Street Association seeks a host city with an attractive location, a strong preservation ethic, good community support and a strong fundraising commitment. The success of our conference depends on the host community and we count on our local partners to help us create a dynamic program with tours and workshops highlighting the issues facing your community. We also depend on local volunteers to help manage registration tables, social events, etc.
The criteria that will be used in evaluating your proposal are listed below:
- Hotels must be within walking distance or easy shuttle distance to meeting location
- Adequate Meeting Facilities
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Overall Cost for Attendee
- Conference Sponsorships Secured ($5,000 sponsorship and $5,000-$10,000 in additional local sponsorships or in kind services is encouraged)
- Room Rates (Hotel and Conference Meeting Rooms)
- Accessibility to Downtown Shops and Restaurants
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Host the Opening Reception, Downtown Party and Tours
The RFP specifications outline the necessary requirements to host this event. Please call or email Jeannie Zieren (jeannie@msmainstreet.com or 601.941.5409), with any questions that you may have. The application deadline is Friday, June 30, 2023.
