E C O N O M I C  
V I T A L I T Y  
T E A M S

Destination Downtown 2016 is a regional conference developed and hosted by Louisiana Main Street in partnership with Main Street Arkansas and Mississippi Main Street Association.

The conference attracts more than 200 professionals in preservation-based historic 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 urban neighborhoods in large cities.

The 2016 conference will be held in beautiful Ruston, Louisiana.  Ruston is known for its thriving college-town atmosphere, an 18 block historic downtown district and the incredibly sweet peaches grown in the parish.  The area is home to Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech University and boasts a variety of specialty shops and delicious restaurants.

The theme of this year's conference is Economic Vitality Teams.  Many conference sessions will focus on how preservationists and economic developers can work together to make our historic commercial districts remain economically competitive.

C O N F E R E N C E    S C H E D U L E

M O N D A Y,   S E P T E M B E R   1 2

1:00 - 5:00 PM
Registration
Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 North Vienna Street

2:00 - 4:30 PM
Tours Depart from Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 North Vienna Street
          Tour A - Downtown Walking Tour
          Tour B - Lincoln Parish Museums Tour
          Tour C - Park and Peaches Tour 

           Click Here to Download Tour Descriptions

5:30 - 7:30 PM
Welcome to Ruston Reception
Norton Building, 207 West Mississippi Avenue 

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T U E S D A Y,   S E P T E M B E R   1 3

8:00 AM
Registration
Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 North Vienna Street

9:00 - 10:15 AM
Opening Plenary
Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 North Vienna Street

10:30 - 11:45 AM
Concurrent Sessions (see below)

11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Lunch (on your own)

1:15 - 2:30 PM 
Concurrent Sessions (see below)

2:45 - 4:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions (see below)

6:00 - 9:00 PM
Artists' Showcase
Davison Athletic Complex, South End Zone of Joe Aillet Stadium, Louisiana Tech University, 1450 Stadium Boulevard

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 W E D N E S D A Y,   S E P T E M B E R   1 4

8:00 AM
Registration
Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 North Vienna Street

8:30 - 9:45 AM
Concurrent Sessions (see below)

10:00 - 11:15 AM
Concurrent Sessions (see below)

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Closing Plenary
Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 North Vienna Street

C O N C U R R E N T    S E S S I O N    T O P I C S

Click Here to Download Session Descriptions

Developing an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Market-Driven Main Street Programs:  A How-To

Attracting New Businesses

Strengthening Your Business Retention Program

Watering the Roots of the Small Business Ecosystem:  Financial Resource for Growing Small Businesses

Navigating the Economic Landscape: Exploring Resources Available to Help Your Small Business Infrastructure Grow and Flourish

Planning and Implementing the Seeds of Economic Revitalization

From Main Street to Market - Mastering the Art of Main Street Microbusiness Development

Cultivating Economic Gardens

Ruston Re-Imagined

How to Overcome Negative PR and Band Your Downtown Together

30 Low Cost/No Cost Family Programming Ideas

Hope Inspires Action:  Leading Positive Community Change

Main Street Principle # 4 - Building Partnerships for Economic Development

Solutions for Stubborn Vacancies

R E G I S T E R    N O W ! 

C O N F E R E N C E    H O S T S
 

                                                        

                                      Louisiana Main Street                                  City of Ruston

 

C O N F E R E N C E    P A R T N E R S

 

                                                   
                                     Main Street Arkansas                     Mississippi Main Street Association

 

 C O N F E R E N C E    S P O N S O R S

 

                                                      
                                                                     Office of the Lieutenant Governor                          

 

                        

                                                                                                                                                               Louisiana Tech
                                                                                                                                                                    University

                      

     

R E G I S T E R    N O W !