Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities 2024 Annual Report Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Academy Funding Opportunities Small Business Support Allied Member Services Main Street Insurance Member Hub
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities 2024 Annual Report Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Academy Funding Opportunities Small Business Support Allied Member Services Main Street Insurance Member Hub
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
April 13 – 15

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Join local leaders and experts in commercial district stewardship for three days of learning, exploring, and connecting. Gain invaluable knowledge and strategies to strengthen the social, civic, and economic fabric of your community.

Register Today!
Graphic featuring three images (left-right: a Native American dancer, a Tulsa Route 66 sculpture, and a mural depicting a woman) on a light orange background with a black banner with yellow text reading "Register Now!" and the Main Street Now 2026 logo in the upper middle area.

Join us in Tulsa!

From inspiring plenaries and immersive mobile workshops to engaging education sessions and interactive activities, Main Street Now 2026 offers local leaders and place professionals with countless opportunities to strengthen their networks, gain new skills, and find solutions to issues impacting their communities. 

Tap into the expertise of your peers, industry experts, and supporters to find time-tested approaches, new techniques, and opportunities to exchange ideas designed to help your team address pressing issues impacting your community.


Attend

Be a part of the largest convening of local leaders and place professionals advancing grassroots revitalization initiatives in local communities.

Learn, Explore, Connect

Whether you’re a member of a team behind a Main Street program, a civic leader dedicated to supporting local development, or an expert in areas vital to fostering vibrant communities, the 2026 Main Street Now Conference offers an unmatched professional development experience:

Learn — Tap into the expertise of your peers, industry professionals, and supporters. With 100+ education sessions, learn how to leverage time-tested techniques rooted in the Main Street Approach and innovative methods to support your community’s Main Street efforts. Come with an open mind and return home with knowledge, best practices, and strategies backed by tangible takeaways.

Explore — Let curiosity be your guide at the largest convening of place professionals. Expand your horizons with invigorating Main Idea sessions and immersive mobile workshops. Find inspiration as you experience Tulsa’s vibrant historic districts, dynamic cultural heritage, and more. No matter how you explore, you’ll leave feeling rejuvenated, energized, and inspired to take your organization’s Main Street efforts to the next level.

Connect — Meet new people and connect with colleagues from across the Main Street network! From scheduled network-building activities and fun events to impromptu encounters at sessions and during breaks, you’ll find unlimited opportunities to meet new people, develop lasting professional relationships, and lean into the community that surrounds you at Main Street Now. 

Registration Rates

Registration is open! Discounts and special rates are available to Main Street America members, civic leaders, and students. For additional savings, register by the Early Bird or regular online deadlines. Register here >

Early Bird (ends February 3*): $499 Member, $720 Non-Member
Regular (ends April 6*): $599 Member, $830 Non-Member
On-site (April 12 – 15): $699 Member, $899 Non-Member
One Day: $425 Online, $525 On-site
Civic Leader: $250 Online, $299 On-site
Student: $250 Online, $299 On-site

* Dates are subject to change

Sessions & Schedule

When Main Streeters get together, it’s magic. And when they gather for the largest convening of place professionals, the energy is electric. From the Welcome Reception to the Big Bash, you’ll find countless opportunities to learn, explore, connect, and celebrate. No matter your role or experience, you’re sure to return home feeling rejuvenated, energized, and inspired to take your Main Street efforts to the next level! Check out the agenda here >

Venues & Hotels

Venues: The majority of conference sessions will be held at the Arvest Convention Center, located at 100 Civic Center Drive. Select sessions, events, and mobile workshops will be held at off-site venues. Learn about conference venues >

Hotels: Specially priced rooms for conference attendees are available at select hotels. Learn more about conference hotels and how to make reservations > 

Experience Tulsa

Between sessions, enjoy local shops, eateries, and attractions in downtown Tulsa and the city’s dynamic Main Streets. Come early or extend your stay to explore Tulsa’s national historic sites and cultural districts, magnificent Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern architecture, vibrant public art, incredible restaurants and shops, and more. Check out must-see places and experiences here >

FAQS & Policies

Have questions about the 2026 Main Street Now Conference? We have answers! Explore frequently asked questions, learn more about conference policies, and more here >


Toolkit

Make Your Case

Whether you’re a seasoned Main Street Now attendee or thinking about participating for the first time, convincing your boss, board, or city council to send you can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be scary. We’re here to help!

Get the Toolkit
A woman, sitting at a table with other people, speaks into a microphone.

Featured Articles



Get Involved

Main Street Now 2026 offers many opportunities for attendees, industry experts, and supporters to engage in the movement.

Sessions & Speakers - Submitters Have Been Notified

Our call for proposals is closed. Along with our partners at Oklahoma Main Street, we welcomed engaging, practical, and non-commercial session proposals on a wide variety of topics aligned with the Main Street Approach from July 23-September 5, 2025. We thank everyone who answered our call for proposals!

Our conference education committee has reviewed each submission. On December 15, we sent determination notifications to all submitters through Submittable. If you submitted a session proposal but have not yet heard from us, please check your spam or junk folders for an email from Sub​mit​table​.com. 

Questions? Contact info@​mainstreet.​org

Sponsorship - Prospectus Available

Partnership opportunities abound! Sponsoring the Main Street Now Conference is a highly visible, cost-effective way to reach community leaders and partners as they foster new ideas and solutions for preservation-based economic development in their historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Sponsor packages provide partners with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership through programming and promotions, connect directly with local decision-makers, and support communities on their path to economic revitalization. Check out the sponsor prospectus here >

Questions? Contact Katie Eckstein at keckstein@​mainstreet.​org

Exhibition Hall - Booth Registration Open

Booth registration is open! The Main Street Now Expo offers a variety of promotional opportunities for companies specializing in products, services, and resources designed to assist downtown and commercial district management professionals take their efforts to the next level. Check out the exhibitor prospectus for details. Space is limited and booths are available on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Register here >

Questions? Contact Steve Amraen at samraen@​mainstreet.​org


Stay in the Know

For updates, check this page and follow our Main Street Now Conference account on Facebook. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest conference-related news delivered to your inbox.

Questions? Email info@​mainstreet.​org.
 


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