Early Bird Registration Ends July 1st!
Foundations to Futures: Preserving History and Fostering Growth
Join us for Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference. This year’s annual conference Foundations to Futures: Preserving History and Fostering Growth will transform your mindset on the ties between historic preservation, upper-story housing, and historic commercial districts. This conference is for communities of all sizes whose residents and stakeholders are eager to discover how thriving local economies and walkable neighborhoods can transform their communities. The conference brings together over 275 community members including local program directors, board members, volunteers, city and county elected officials and professionals, economic developers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners from across the state of Missouri to revitalize commercial districts and build foundations for the future.
Main Street 5 & Dime
Shop Main Street during the conference during breaks, between sessions, or at breakfast! Each year MMSC offers a selection of locally-made or Missouri-sourced items alongside Main Street-themed merch for attendees to browse. The Missouri Main Street 5 & Dime works with local Main Street organizations and their small businesses to bring a little bit of Main Street to you. Support local businesses by shopping at the 5 & Dime in the Expo area when you attend the conference this year.
Main Street Clinic
Do you need to develop an idea for your downtown or your organization? Do you need advice from Main Street professionals? The Main Street Clinic is here to help. It will be staffed by Main Street and historic preservation professionals to answer these questions and more. Stop by the Main Street Clinic in the Grand Ballroom Expo area for a consultation. No appointment needed!
“Welcome Home” Evening Opening Recpetion – Plaza Terrace
Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Join us as we kick off the conference at the Kansas City Country Club Plaza Hotel’s Plaza Terrace located on the third floor. Connect with other attendees while enjoying the “Welcome Home” gallery and view of Kansas City from the outdoor terrace. The “Welcome Home” gallery is a unique experience MMSC is offering during this year’s Evening Opening Reception. This gallery will have the semifinalists from our “Welcome Home” Preservation Month contest.
Your ticket includes tasty appetizers and one drink. You will find plenty of great places to eat dinner when you leave to explore Country Club Plaza.
Attire – Business Casual.
Plaza Terrace, Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza, 4445 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
Tickets available ($25), until sold out, online until July 18th and onsite ($50) at the conference registration desk. Must be pre-purchased. No tickets sold at the event.
ShowMe Bash & Pitch Party – J. Rieger & Co.
Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
The ShowMe Bash takes place at the historic J. Rieger & Co., a storied establishment deeply rooted in Kansas City’s rich history. Founded in 1887 within the bustling West Bottoms Livestock Exchange District, J. Rieger & Co. quickly became synonymous with quality and innovation, boasting a diverse portfolio of over 100 alcoholic products. Although Prohibition dealt a blow to the company, it was not the end of its story. Now, a century later, J. Rieger & Co. proudly stands once again as a beacon of Kansas City’s vibrant spirit and entrepreneurial energy.
The evening starts off with a full buffet dinner followed by the Pitch Party, the culmination of the MMSC Creative Space Activation Grant where one community will be awarded $10,000! As the finalists pitch their ideas to the audience, your participation will help choose the winner. One drink ticket is provided with your event registration. Cash bar available.
After the conclusion of the Pitch Party programming, stay around to enjoy their laidback environment, participate in their self-guided tour showcasing the history of J. Rieger & Co., shop in their gift shop, and slide down the 40-foot slide!
Attire – Sporty Casual.
Transportation begins loading at 6:15 pm from the hotel. The last bus leaves J. Rieger & Co at 9:00 pm.
J. Rieger & Co., The Monogram Lounge, 2700 Guinotte Ave., Kansas City, MO 64120
Tickets available ($50), until sold out, online until July 18th and onsite ($100) at the conference registration desk. Must be pre-purchased, no tickets sold at event.
Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony & Dinner – The Bauer
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm Evening of Excellence Reception in the Parlor
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner on the third floor.
Join us for our Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony & Dinner as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Main Streets and their dedication to revitalizing Missouri’s historic commercial districts. The awards are an opportunity to honor local Main Street programs. Throughout the evening, you will see people, projects, and initiatives that are the best representation of the great accomplishments local Main Street programs made in their historic commercial districts and communities across the state.
Your reservation includes a wonderful four-course dinner with an exceptional awards ceremony that will provide inspiration and new ideas to take home with you.
Attire – Semiformal.
Transportation will not be provided to this event. Parking instructions will be included in your welcome packet.
The Bauer, 115 W. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
Tickets available for individuals ($80) or VIP table for 8 ($880), until sold out, online until July 18th and onsite for individuals ($160) at the conference registration desk. No VIP tables will be sold onsite. Must be pre-purchased, no tickets sold at event.
Recharged and Reassured to Revitalize.
“I found exactly what I needed by attending the 2023 conference. The guest speakers encouraged me during the break-out sessions and provided many suggestions, ideas, and resources to bring home and utilize. Networking with, listening to, and sharing stories of what did and did not work with other communities across the state helped tremendously. The conference recharged me and reassured me that I was on the right path.” Tiffiny Shankle, Charleston Revitalization Movement
Fueled to Engage with Dynamic Speakers!
“I was part of a group of four from Vision Carthage which allowed us to have at least one person in every session during the 2023 conference. We all found the sessions valuable and interesting with the variety of topics they covered. I most enjoyed the general session on Friday: A Recipe For Place. The topic was right on point and the speaker was very engaging. Speaking of recipes: thank you for providing a delicious breakfast each morning, it helped get my brain in gear for the day.” Kara Hardesty, Vision Carthage
Small Steps to Success Begins with Confidence.
“The 2022 conference helped me build confidence, energy, and enthusiasm to come home and get to work with Main Street Albany. There are small steps we can take to make our downtown look more inviting without spending a ton of money… by painting, cleaning up vacant areas; adding greenery; adding seating areas; etc. Listening to the success stories people have had across the state was encouraging and I learned that it is important to take chances on projects and ideas that I might not personally see value in, but that others might.” Kaylie Walker, Main Street Albany
Takeaways in Unique Places.
“I took away great information from the 2022 conference sessions Downtown Sedalia can use soon or in the future. I personally enjoyed the opportunity to explore Independence. It’s always good to get a sidewalk perspective on what other downtowns are doing to bring people into their businesses. As a chef and a local ice cream store owner, I value the insight and resources I’m able to take away from these conferences.
I have found that the networking, especially within Missouri’s communities, is just as valuable as the sessions offered. I have quickly made connections widening the circle of people I feel comfortable contacting if I have a question.” Chris Paszkiewicz, City of Sedalia
Creating a Lively Downtown
If They Can Do It, We Can Too!
This conference is a private and public partnership with the Department of Economic Development, the State of Missouri, USDA, and MMSC.
