The Community Transformation Workshop is an intensive and interactive two-day experience filled with educational sessions and exercises designed to provide Main Street practitioners with advanced tools and strategies to address complex revitalization projects and initiatives.

This train-the-trainer workshop includes instructional sessions led by experts in the field, hands-on projects showcasing communities implementing strategic approaches to Main Street revitalization, and real-world case studies and network-building activities.

Come with examples of your downtown district’s greatest challenges, dive into data-driven approaches, and leave with step-by-step guidance and tools to lead successful transformation strategies in your own community. 

When: October 13 – 15 (arrival on October 13)

Where: Columbia and Hartsville, South Carolina

Workshop Partners: Main Street Hartsville and Main Street South Carolina

Hotel & Travel Logistics: Information about the hotel, travel options, meals, and more can be found here >
 

Rates: $800 Member | $1,000 Non-Member 

Included: 

• Complimentary beverage and hearty appetizers at the Main Street Social on October 13, plus breakfast and lunch for October 14 & 15
• Specially priced hotel rates and transportation between Columbia and Hartsville
• Eligibility for AICP and MSARP credit
• Custom data snapshot of your community — a $750 value!

Registration: Registration is closed.

Waitlist: Registration for this workshop has reached full capacity, and a waitlist is not available. Sign-up to receive updates about next year’s workshop >

Member Discounts: Main Street America members are eligible to receive a discount on this workshop.

Travel Scholarships: A limited number of $500 travel scholarships are available to Main Street organizations. The application will close on Friday, September 19, or when all scholarships have been awarded. Learn more and apply >

Credit: AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found here >

Main Street America Revitalization Professional: Completion of this workshop counts toward Main Street America’s tiered credential pathway. Stay tuned for the unveiling of our new learning model later this year! Get a sneak peek at the new MSARP credential pathway here >

Instructors: Staff instructors bring the curriculum alive with decades of experience in design, place-based community revitalization, capacity building, strategic planning, and data analysis: 

• Aoife Harte, Associate Research Analyst
• Jonathan Stone, Program Officer
• Jackie Swihart, Director of Network Capacity Building, Strengthen

Learning Objectives: 

• Integrate Quantitative and Qualitative Insights — Analyze market data snapshots alongside community focus‑group feedback to uncover key trends, challenges, and opportunities for downtown transformation.
• Apply Structured Field Observation Techniques — Conduct on‑site explorations using defined observation lenses (e.g., business mix, physical conditions, customer experience) and synthesize findings into actionable insights.
• Generate and Justify Strategic Options — In teams, generate transformation strategy options grounded in the combined data and observations, clearly articulating the rationale behind each option.
• Foster Collaborative Local Application — Collaborate to adapt the community transformation process for participants’ home communities, ensuring collaboration, accountability, and clear next steps beyond the workshop. 

Agenda: The agenda includes educational and network-building opportunities for participants. Check out the agenda here >

This workshop is designed for community revitalization champions at all levels and experience, including:

• Local Main Street program staff who steer day‑to‑day district initiatives
• Coordinating program managers and staff supporting communities within a defined region
• Economic development directors & city planners responsible for shaping broader growth strategies
• Nonprofit & foundation leaders investing in place‑based partnerships and capacity‑building
• Municipal staff & elected officials charged with policy, funding, and public‑sector collaboration
• Urban planning and economic development professionals, providing specialized technical assistance to place-based district revitalization efforts
• First-time and returning participants, interested in accelerating positive change in their communities.

Health, Safety & Participation: We are pleased to offer this in-person workshop in accordance with Main Street America’s workshop policies. Please review the following policies prior to registration: Code of Conduct, Health & Safety Guidelines, Notice of Photography.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations communicated more than 14 days in advance of the first course date will be refunded in full. Cancellations occurring less than 14 days in advance of the first course date will be offered a 50% refund. Please note there is a $25.00 processing fee for any cancelled registration. Once the course has begun, we are unfortunately unable to offer a refund. To cancel a registration, please email academy@​mainstreet.​org.
 

Questions? Contact us at academy@​mainstreet.​org.