Missouri Main Street Connection held the 2022 Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference in Kansas City, MO. We were ecstatic to return to in-person conferences following the pandemic. In 2022 Missouri Main Street Connection focused on PLACES REIMAGINED!
PLACES REIMAGINED transformed the way attendees thought, engaged, and invested in place. The sessions focused on reclaiming, sustaining, and developing creative and healthy communities. This place-based economic development approach infuses arts, heritage, and culture into place.
We are sure that the importance of PLACES REIMAGINED inspired local leaders and stakeholders to evaluate the role of place in their economy while creating and engaging people-centered communities.
If you see any photos below from the conference you wish to use for reporting to your local Main Street board or promoting in your newsletter or social media pages, please contact Logan Breer at Logan@momainstreet.org.
Leading up to and following Missouir’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference, Missouri Main Street Connection published a series of blogs that highlighted the various things to do at the conference and wrap up the wonderful time attendees had:
- Places Reimagined & Opening Reception Feature: Why Places Matter (March 30, 2022)
- Places Reimagined Feature: Events Worth Attending Part 1 (April 29, 2022)
- Places Reimagined Feature: Events Worth Attending Part 2 (May 31, 2022)
- Places Reimagined Feature: Creative Space Activation Grant Details (June 30, 2022)
- Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference: Back With A Bang (August 31, 2022)
You can access conference sessions’ handouts and slide decks in our Dropbox folder by clicking on the button.
Evening Opening Reception – Hotel Kansas City
A special treat for those that love old buildings, MMSC’s Opening Evening Reception was held in the elegant President’s Room of the beautiful, historic Hotel Kansas City, formerly the Kansas City Club. Attendees networked with each other through the interactive event and participated in a self-guided tour.
“I have found that the networking, especially within Missouris’ communities, is just as valuable as the sessions offered. I quickly made connections with people statewide…[that] I would feel comfortable contacting if I had a question.” Chris Paszkiewicz, City of Sedalia
ShowMe Bash & Pitch Party – Historic Downtown Independence – Ophelia’s Restaurant & Inn
The ShowMe Bash & Pitch Party was held in historic downtown Independence, MO. Conference attendees experienced a fun-filled evening with friends old and new! They listened to five finalists “pitch” their project and helped judges award $10,000 to Delmar Main Streets for their Transit Wall Transformation Project. Following the Pitch Party, shops and restaurants were open for attendees to get acquainted with a variety of businesses on the Independence Square, as well as, soak up the historical significance and ambiance of downtown Independence where historic buildings have been reimagined.
Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony & Dinner
The Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner returned even more dynamic than ever! An evening where the people, projects, and partnerships that represent the use of the Main Street Approach™ to revitalize traditional downtowns and neighborhood business districts were celebrated and recognized.
This conference is a private and public partnership with Department of Economic Development, State of Missouri, USDA, National Trust, Missouri Humanities, Missouri Arts Council, and MMSC.
