2023 Georgia Downtown Conference

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2023 Georgia Downtown Conference

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.

https://www.gacities.com/Legal-Disclaimer

When

8/21/2023 7:00 AM - 8/25/2023 11:30 AM
Eastern Daylight Time

Where

Downtown Canton Canton, GA 30114 UNITED STATES

Online registration is closed. Please contact Renee Coakley at [email protected]

Event Contact

Ms. Renee Coakley - Phone: (678) 244-0511

Program

Select programs by

Concurrent Sessions

Description
Beyond Facades: Using Flex Grants to Support Small Business In this session, we will explore grants that go beyond traditional façade or sign grants. Using Kennesaw's recent Main Street on the Move Flex grant as a guide, participants will learn about grant objectives, developing a scoring matrix, and success stories from the inaugural grant awards. We will also explore funding options for ongoing implementation of the program, as well as positive impacts to the City's bottom line through increased personal property tax values. Category Concurrent Sessions Time 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Spots available 7 8/22/2023 11:00 AM
Making a Big Deal About Shopping Small Join us as we show you how to motivate your business owners and community members to actively support your town’s “Shop Small” effort before, during, and even after the holiday season. See how the city of Stockbridge created an extended promotional campaign supported by the Small Business Blitz app to engage citizens with local businesses and how the city of Dallas created an event in the month of February using limited city resources that lead to record sales days for many downtown businesses. Category Concurrent Sessions Time 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Spots available 22 8/22/2023 11:00 AM
Small Business Support from an Entrepreneur Perspective In a survey conducted this spring by DCA's Office of Downtown Development, small business support was identified as one of the top training priorities for affiliate and accredited designated Main Street programs. But to know how we can best support our businesses, we must first understand what makes them tick. While every business is unique, particular elements can help or harm each industry. As Main Street managers, we need to understand the differences that impact each of these industries to develop better tools to support them. In this session, the Georgia Main Street Program will host a panel of small business practitioners representing 4 of the critical downtown industries: restaurants, retail, services, and office professionals. In this facilitated Q&A session, panelists will give us a glimpse of what makes these businesses work. Extra attention will be made to emphasize what staff can do to support their needs and the unintentional mistakes they can make, which can negatively impact business. Category Concurrent Sessions Time 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Spots available 86 8/22/2023 11:00 AM
Building Bridges, Not Walls This session will identify key elements of the successful partnership between the Main Street Program and Convention and Visitors Bureau in Douglasville with strategies for implementing similar partnerships in your own community. Form actual examples like transforming downtown Douglasville into Hawkins, Indiana for Stranger Things Day, collaborating on several downtown events and initiatives, and building relationships with the downtown community, the energy and creativity has been infections. This panel will provide tangible and effective strategies that Main Street/downtown development cans take back to their own communities to build a stronger relationship with their local CVB, and thus, a stronger downtown. Category Concurrent Sessions Time 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Spots available 17 8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Incubating Small Businesses in your Downtown This session will look at two programs the City of Woodstock and Cherokee County created to fill a need for professional co-working and retail maker spaces to assist in the growth of small businesses that are not at a point to be able to afford real estate in a downtown with little to no vacancies. Learning objectives include: -Finding space for these initiatives -Partnerships and success stories that have come out of these programs -How to convince leaders and elected officials these spaces/concepts are needed for community building. Category Concurrent Sessions Time 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Spots available 15 8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Integrating your Downtown into the Community Housing Cycle Communities go through a four-step housing cycle, each providing critical housing for a phase in an individual's or family's life. While the suburban areas will continue to dominate the single-family housing, Downtown corridors can retake their rightful place for the remaining elements of the housing cycle. • Background of the standard 4-step housing cycle • Different housing typologies and their intended users • Strategies for integrating downtown into upper floors and mixed-use areas • How to prepare sample proformas Category Concurrent Sessions Time 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Spots available 88 8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Implementing A Master Plan to Place Based Retail & More This session will provide the process to planning and executing your Master Plan, all while understanding the value of a community voice. Session attendees will visualize solutions to activating maker spaces. Panel experts will present case study examples to develop strategies for place-based retail that connects your downtown streets, neighborhoods, history, and culture. Category Concurrent Sessions Time 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spots available 5 8/23/2023 2:00 PM
Main Street Reporting - What is it & Why You Should Care Each month, Main Street cities report their statistics to DCA using the monthly reports. The information you send to DCA may seem like just busy work, but it is actually a valuable tool for your community. In this session we will explore: 1. Who/where to get the information from plus what additional information you might want to collect. 2. Now that you've submitted your report, how should you keep it for easy access? 3. What can you do with the information you've saved? 4. Why this information should be kept, even if you're not a Main Street organization. Category Concurrent Sessions Time 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spots available 11 8/23/2023 2:00 PM
Technology: Who, what how? Technology is hard, but it shouldn’t be. Let’s review ways to make it work for you. We’ll cover some of the programs that Hometown Warrenton, Inc. uses daily, and how to make them affordable. Real life examples that you can take back home and implement today. Need a starting point? We will share examples that you can rip-off and duplicate. Category Concurrent Sessions Time 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spots available 87 8/23/2023 2:00 PM

Conference Add-ons

Description
Welcome Reception Accessible to attendees for Training only. Category Conference Add-ons Track Attendees Time 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Spots available 46 8/21/2023 5:30 PM
Silent Auction Category Conference Add-ons Track Attendees When 8/22/2023 - 8/24/2023 Spots available 197 8/22/2023
Extra Tickets for Awards Ceremony 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 936 8/23/2023 5:00 PM

Exhibitors

Description
Electrical Power Category Exhibitors Track Exhibitors When 8/21/2023 7:30 AM - 8/23/2023 11:59 PM Spots available 15 8/21/2023 7:30 AM
Additional Cost for Larger Space Additional space is for 20 FT X 5 FT booth. Category Exhibitors When 8/21/2023 11:00 AM - 8/24/2023 8:00 AM Spots available 99 8/21/2023 11:00 AM
Meal Package for Additional Staff 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 Exhibitors Track Exhibitors When 8/22/2023 8:00 AM - 8/23/2023 4:00 PM Spots available 92 8/22/2023 8:00 AM
Tickets for Awards Reception and Ceremony 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 Exhibitors Track Exhibitors Time 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM Spots available 197 8/23/2023 5:00 PM

Mobile Workshops

Description
Canton Historic Haunts Ghost Tour 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 0 8/21/2023 7:30 PM
ABC: About Booze in Canton! An entertainment district is about so much more than alcohol. Find out from City Manager Billy Peppers 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 0 8/22/2023 11:00 AM
Canton’s Balancing Act: Preserving and Progressing 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 0 8/22/2023 11:00 AM
Creating Culture in Canton: A Public Art Workshop 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 0 8/22/2023 11:00 AM
History in the Making: The Cherokee County History Center 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 20 8/22/2023 11:00 AM
ABC: About Booze in Canton! 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 18 8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Canton’s Balancing Act: Preserving and Progressing 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 0 8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Creating Culture in Canton: A Public Art Workshop 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 0 8/23/2023 10:15 AM
History in the Making: The Cherokee County History Center 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 26 8/23/2023 10:15 AM
In Canton, a River Runs Through It! 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 8 8/23/2023 10:15 AM
Canton Historic Haunts Ghost Tour 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 8 8/23/2023 7:30 PM

Training

Description
CDP: The Role of a Downtown Professional 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 0 8/21/2023 8:30 AM
Downtown Development Authority Advanced *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 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Spots available 13 8/21/2023 8:30 AM
Downtown Development Authority Basic Training 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 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Spots available 25 8/21/2023 8:30 AM
Historic Preservation Training 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 6 8/21/2023 9:00 AM
Main Street 101 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 11 8/21/2023 1:00 PM

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