Destination Downtown is a regional conference sponsored by Louisiana Main Street, Mississippi Main Street Association and Main Street Arkansas, attracting more than 200 professionals in preservation-based commercial district revitalization, including new and experienced downtown and neighborhood Main Street directors, board members, architects, planners, economic development professionals, public officials, volunteers and consultants. Attendees hail from communities of all sizes, from small rural towns to neighborhood commercial districts in larger cities across the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.

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Agenda

 

Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Registration Opens at Noon
Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts Lobby

2:00 - 5:00  Tours 
All tours depart from the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts

Historically Hip Walking Tour - The Secrets of Adaptive Reuse
The backbone of Hammond's downtown is its historic architecture and places that have been              transformed into mixed-use spaces.  Hear from the architects and investors who dared to start the process when abandoned structures were literally falling onto the sidewalks and streets. Walking the streets will also show why Hammond is a favorite location for Hollywood South film projects.  This is a walking tour - wear cool clothes and comfortable shoes!  Visit the website

America's Antique City - Ponchatoula
The downtown of Hammond's sister city of Ponchatoula is only 6 miles away!  Affectionately known as America's Antique City and the Strawberry Capitol of Louisiana, Ponchatoula is best described as quaint, wholesome, and community-oriented.  This guided tour will meander through the antiques, boutiques, and uniques in what is sure to be a shopper's delight!  Visit the webiste

Take A Walk on the Wild Side - Global Wildlife Safari
Get eye to eye with a giraffe and hand feed multiple species of wildlife at this 900-acre wildlife preserve.  The Global Wildlife Center is the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the country.  You will travel in a private Pinzgauer, a 4 X 4 vehicle that can go places that the center's safari wagons cannot go.  Don't forget your camera!  This tour requires a paid ticket that can be purchased on the conference registration page.  Visit the website

5:30 - 7:00  Opening Reception
Hammond Regional Arts Center
217 East Thomas Street
Meet up with old friends from across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi and make new friends as well!  Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and lively music before heading out to dinner at one of 44 different restaurants in downtown Hammond.

 

Thursday, September 12, 2019
Registration Opens at 8:00
Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts Lobby

9:00 - 10:15
Opening Plenary
Columbia Theatre Auditorium

Keynote Speaker:  Mary Means
Mary Means is recognized as a national leader in heritage development in the United States. She was Vice President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where she is most well-known for having created the national Main Street program.  The Mother of Main Street is a popular conference speaker - you don't want to miss her story of the early days of the Main Street movement!

10:30 - 11:45
Concurrent Sessions

11:45 - 1:15
Lunch on Your Own at one of 44 different restaurants in downtown Hammond

1:15 - 2:30
Concurrent Sessions

2:45 - 4:00
Concurrent Sessions

6:00 - 9:00
Tangipahoa Festivals Party - A Taste of Tangi
Columbia Theatre Lobby
The Louisiana Renaissance Festival, Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival, Amite Oyster Festival, Hammond Smokin' BBQ Challenge, Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival and The Italian Festival all take place in Tangipahoa Parish.  At this party you will get your fill of food samples from each of these festivals while dancing the night away to the tunes of one of Louisiana's favorite dance bands!

 

Friday, September 13, 2019

8:30 - 8:45
Concurrent Sessions

10:00 - 11:15
Concurrent Sessions

11:30 - 12:30
Closing Plenary
Columbia Theatre Auditorium

Keynote Speaker:  Irvin Henderson
If you've recently attended the national Main Street Now conference, you will recognize Irvin as the young man who gets the crowd motivated and revved up for the start of each year's conference!  He is a past board chairman of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation.  He is responsible for the development of a substantial number of projects in affordable housing, commercial development and enterprise development nationwide.  In recognition of his many years of devoted and invaluable service to NTCIC, as well as his deep commitment to investing and strengthening underserved communities, the NTCIC HTC/NMTC Main Street Small Deal Fund has been renamed the “Irvin Henderson Main Street Revitalization Fund.”

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