2023 Georgia Downtown Conference

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Join us for the 2023 Georgia Downtown Conference in Downtown Canton, Georgia!

This year's registration fee includes admission to Opening and Closing Keynote Address, Awards Reception, Conference Educational Sessions/Workshops, Refreshment Breaks, Silent Auction and program materials. To learn more, www.georgiadowntownassociation.org/conference.

Online Registration Deadline: August 11, 2023. All registrations and payments received after this date will be processed as an on-site, and a $50 processing fee will be applied. Registration fees must be paid in full prior to participation in the conference. Payments may be made by credit card, check or money order. You must create or sign into your account to register for the conference. Please use the sign-in/registration form on the right-hand side of the screen to get started.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received before August 1, will receive a refund less a $50 processing fee. Written notice of cancellation is required. Refunds will be processed approximately 30 days after the event. Cancellations received after August 1 will not be refunded. 

When
8/21/2023 7:00 AM - 8/25/2023 11:30 AM
Eastern Daylight Time
Where
Downtown Canton Canton, GA 30114 UNITED STATES
Sign in or create an account to register Last day to register is 8/11/2023
Event Contact
Ms. Renee Coakley - Phone: (678) 244-0511

Program

Cancellation

Description
Category
Cancellation
Track
Sponsors
When
8/21/2023 8:30 AM - 8/24/2023 5:00 PM
Spots available
100
8/21/2023 8:30 AM

Conference Add-ons

Description
Category
Conference Add-ons
Track
Attendees
When
8/22/2023 - 8/23/2023
Spots available
18
8/22/2023
Category
Conference Add-ons
Track
Attendees
When
8/22/2023 - 8/24/2023
Spots available
200
8/22/2023
Full Conference registration includes one (1) ticket to the  Awards Ceremony & Reception. You may purchase up to eight (8) additional tickets.  Cocktails from 5:00-6:00 pm and Awards Ceremony from 6:00-7:30 pm.
Category
Conference Add-ons
Track
Attendees
Time
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Spots available
997
8/23/2023 5:00 PM

Exhibitor

Description
Category
Exhibitor
Track
Exhibitors
When
8/21/2023 7:30 AM - 8/23/2023 11:59 PM
Spots available
20
8/21/2023 7:30 AM
Exhibitor Registration includes one 8-foot table, 1 chair, breakfast and lunch for one person Tuesday, Wednesday breakfast for one person. You may purchase a meal package for one additional staff member.
Category
Exhibitor
Track
Exhibitors
When
8/22/2023 8:00 AM - 8/23/2023 4:00 PM
Spots available
99
8/22/2023 8:00 AM
You may purchase up to two (2) tickets for the Awards Ceremony.  Cocktail hour is 5:00-6:00 pm and Awards Ceremony is 6:00-7:30 pm.
Category
Exhibitor
Track
Exhibitors
Time
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Spots available
200
8/23/2023 5:00 PM

Mobile Workshops

Description
Canton Historic Haunts provide a guided walking tour that explores the town's past and eerily unexplainable. Join us for a night of history and haunts! Our tour begins and ends at the Gazebo in Cannon Park (130 East Main Street).
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Spots available
18
8/21/2023 7:30 PM
An entertainment district is about so much more than alcohol. Find out from Mayor Bill Grant how Canton successfully implemented its downtown entertainment district, what challenges were faced, and learn more about the economic impacts for our businesses. Cheers!  *Shuttle will leave from The Mill
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Spots available
25
8/22/2023 11:00 AM
With a record of historic preservation throughout downtown, Canton is proudly home to the 2022 Best Adaptive Reuse Project in Georgia: The Mill on Etowah. Participants in this workshop will hear from visionary developers Penn Hodge, Grant Schmeelk, and team about how they turned this once-thriving-but-later-shuttered denim factory into a bustling, regional mixed-use destination. Plus, learn how they’re tackling Canton’s next big reuse project — a massive makeover of downtown’s centerpiece known as the historic Jones Mercantile building.  *Shuttle will leave from The Mill and take attendees to 130 Main Street
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Spots available
25
8/22/2023 11:00 AM
Learn how, in just three years, Canton took a broad vision for public and cultural arts and successfully launched projects; narrowed its arts scope into manageable steps; and built camaraderie and trust between elected officials, staff, and volunteers. Walk through Canton's public art master plan process and hear what's next on the arts horizon in the #coolestsmalltowninamerica. *Shuttle will leave from The Mill. The presentation will be held at 110 Railroad Avenue and then we’ll walk over to Menagerie on Main.
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Spots available
25
8/22/2023 11:00 AM
Would you like a history museum in your city?  If so, join us to learn how a local non-profit created a state-of-the-art, interactive History Center in the heart of downtown Canton.  A small team forged creative partnerships, broad community support, and raised over 4.7 million dollars to turn a former police department building into a modern cultural asset. Hosted by History Cherokee in the Cherokee County History Center, museum tour included.   *221 East Marietta Street
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Spots available
30
8/22/2023 11:00 AM
An entertainment district is about so much more than alcohol. Find out from Mayor Bill Grant how Canton successfully implemented its downtown entertainment district, what challenges were faced, and learn more about the economic impacts for our businesses. Cheers!  *Shuttle will leave from The Mill
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Spots available
29
8/23/2023 10:15 AM
With a record of historic preservation throughout downtown, Canton is proudly home to the 2022 Best Adaptive Reuse Project in Georgia: The Mill on Etowah. Participants in this workshop will hear from visionary developers Penn Hodge, Grant Schmeelk, and team about how they turned this once-thriving-but-later-shuttered denim factory into a bustling, regional mixed-use destination. Plus, learn how they’re tackling Canton’s next big reuse project — a massive makeover of downtown’s centerpiece known as the historic Jones Mercantile building.  *Shuttle will leave from The Mill and take attendees to 130 Main Street
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Spots available
23
8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Learn how, in just three years, Canton took a broad vision for public and cultural arts and successfully launched projects; narrowed its arts scope into manageable steps; and built camaraderie and trust between elected officials, staff, and volunteers. Walk through Canton's public art master plan process and hear what's next on the arts horizon in the #coolestsmalltowninamerica. *Shuttle will leave from The Mill. The presentation will be held at 110 Railroad Avenue and then we’ll walk over to Menagerie on Main.
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Spots available
26
8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Would you like a history museum in your city?  If so, join us to learn how a local non-profit created a state-of-the-art, interactive History Center in the heart of downtown Canton.  A small team forged creative partnerships, broad community support, and raised over 4.7 million dollars to turn a former police department building into a modern cultural asset. Hosted by History Cherokee in the Cherokee County History Center, museum tour included.   *221 East Marietta Street
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Spots available
29
8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Adventure on the prized Etowah River with a tube, raft, or kayak from Murph’s Surf at The Mill on Etowah. After your expedition, enjoy the shops, restaurants, Reformation Brewery or relax on the Green. And for the land lovers? Rent a bike to explore miles of Canton’s paved trails – stop for photo opps over the iconic Etowah River. All this and more are how Canton embraces the great outdoors! Promo code EXPLORECANTON for 15% off all rentals from tubes, kayaks, and bikes **141 Railroad Street, Unit 118 – MurphsSurf.com – 678-672-9917
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
10:15 AM - 3:00 PM
Spots available
24
8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Canton Historic Haunts provide a guided walking tour that explores the town's past and eerily unexplainable. Join us for a night of history and haunts! Our tour begins and ends at the Gazebo in Cannon Park (130 East Main Street).
Category
Mobile Workshops
Track
Attendees
Time
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Spots available
30
8/23/2023 7:30 PM

Registration

Description
Category
Registration
When
8/21/2023 9:30 AM - 8/24/2023 12:00 PM
Spots available
96
8/21/2023 9:30 AM

Sponsorships

Description
Platinum Sponsorship includes four full registrations, signage at all events, recognition at the Award Ceremony, listed in the printed program, showcased with company logo on the screen during the Opening General Session and Awards Ceremony, and receive an exhibit table, if desired. Sponsors will also be recognized on GDA's social media and website at www.georgiadowntownassociation.org
Category
Sponsorships
Track
Sponsors
When
8/22/2023 8:00 AM - 8/24/2023 11:30 AM
8/22/2023 8:00 AM
Gold Sponsorship includes two full registration, signage at the Opening General Session on Tuesday and Closing General Session on Thursday, listed in the printed program, showcased with company logo on the screen during the Opening General Session and Awards Ceremony, and receive an exhibit table, if desired. Sponsors will also be recognized on GDA's social media and website at www.georgiadowntownassociation.org
Category
Sponsorships
Track
Sponsors
When
8/22/2023 8:00 AM - 8/24/2023 11:30 AM
8/22/2023 8:00 AM
Silver Sponsorship includes one full registration, signage at Refreshment Breaks, listed in the printed program, showcased with company logo on the screen during the Opening General Session and Awards Ceremony, and receive an exhibit table, if desired. Sponsors will also be recognized on GDA's social media and website at www.georgiadowntownassociation.org
Category
Sponsorships
Track
Sponsors
When
8/22/2023 8:00 AM - 8/24/2023 11:30 AM
8/22/2023 8:00 AM
Bronze Sponsorship includes signage at Refreshment Breaks, listed in the printed program, showcased with company logo on the screen during the Opening General Session and Awards Ceremony.  Sponsors will also be recognized on GDA's social media and website at www.georgiadowntownassociation.org
Category
Sponsorships
Track
Sponsors
When
8/22/2023 8:00 AM - 8/24/2023 11:30 AM
8/22/2023 8:00 AM

Training

Description
*Pre-requisite: Downtown Development Authority Basic Training. This class builds on the Downtown Development Authority Basic Training class with an emphasis on applying downtown development tools. The importance of developing a downtown vision and a plan are discussed. Attendees also hear the basics of navigating Business Improvement Districts, Community Improvement Districts, Tax Allocation Districts, Historic Preservation Tax Credits, the Redevelopment Powers Act and Urban Redevelopment Law. Best practice examples of utilizing federal, state and local partnerships, programs and incentives are shared. Class participants are given an opportunity to immediately apply the tools and programs highlighted in the class through a case study exercise. This class is limited to 50 participants.
Category
Training
Track
Attendees
Time
7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
44
8/21/2023 7:30 AM
This class is primarily directed at those who serve on Downtown Development Authorities, but it is open to all city officials. Topics include: management of downtown as a valuable resource; the role of the authority, board members and staff; DDA laws; and the day-to-day operations of a Downtown Development Authority. This class is limited to 50 participants.
Category
Training
Track
Attendees
Time
7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
48
8/21/2023 7:30 AM
Purpose & Benefits: To provide an overview understanding of the downtown professional role. Objectives: Identify important information to understand current conditions of downtown development in your community. Recognize key relationships to build for success in downtown development. List common responsibilities, structures, and philosophies of downtown economic development programs.
Category
Training
Track
Attendees
Time
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Spots available
27
8/21/2023 8:30 AM
In partnership with the Georgia Downtown Conference, the Georgia Historic Preservation Division will be sponsoring a full-day of training for members of the state’s local historic preservation commissions. This training will cover a wide-variety of topics related to historic preservation, including what it means to serve on a historic preservation commission, programs and tools that can be utilized to protect and rehabilitate the historic resources in your city or county, and how to use historic preservation as a tool to grow and strengthen your local community. All sessions will be presented by professionals with educational and/or professional experience in or with the field of historic preservation. Although this training is directed primarily towards historic preservation commission members, all local community leaders and city officials are welcome to attend as well. For local governments that are a part of the Certified Local Government program, attending this training will satisfy the training requirements for historic preservation commission members.
Category
Training
Track
Attendees
Time
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Spots available
49
8/21/2023 9:00 AM
As a comprehensive economic development tool, the Main Street Approach® is the foundation many communities in Georgia and nationwide use to strengthen their historic downtown and commercial districts. This session will provide an orientation to the Main Street Approach® for new board and staff, committee volunteers, and those looking to support their downtown with this proven revitalization strategy. All new Main Street Managers and Board Members are required to become Main Street 101 certified within the first 12 months of taking their position. This class will satisfy that requirement.  (GEMS communities will receive a $25 discount.  Must use coupon code that will be provided).
Category
Training
Track
Attendees
Time
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Spots available
39
8/21/2023 1:00 PM

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