Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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.
Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
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.
Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America
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!
Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo
Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.
Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street
Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
Celebrate your successes and inspire your peers by speaking at the 2026 Main Street Now Conference. Photo by BeauMonde Originals.
Do you have a creative solution, impactful program, or genius strategy for advancing Main Street efforts? Tell us about it! Along with our partners at Oklahoma Main Street, we invite local leaders and industry experts like you to apply to join our roster of expert speakers at the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 13 – 15. Whether you’ve mastered foundational Main Street Approach principles or developed an innovative initiative — we want to hear from you.
Local Practitioners: Main Street organization team members — executive directors, board members, civic leaders, volunteers, and others — who are eager to share their expertise with peers. You are the thought leaders that attendees want to hear from!
Experts from Related Fields: Folks with specialized knowledge of a wide variety of topics related to commercial district revitalization, from brand identity and urban planning to historic preservation and people management.
All Experience Levels: Whether you are a seasoned pro or presenting for the first time, we invite you to share your story at Main Street Now.
We welcome session proposals that are engaging, non-commercial, offer practical guidance on a broad variety of topics aligned with the Main Street Approach, and complement Main Street America’s core values. The review committee will prioritize proposals that demonstrate a commitment to creating places of shared prosperity, equal access to opportunity, and broad community engagement, and make an intentional effort to reflect the diversity of Main Streets and communities across the country.
All proposals must be submitted via the online portal by September 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Check out these resources to help you develop the best proposal! Download an editable version of the submission form and get nine top submitter tips. Questions? Contact us at info@mainstreet.org.
🎉 Celebrate your successes (and lessons learned)
💡 Inspire your peers
👀 Gain exposure for your organization
💲Get a significant discount on your Main Street Now 2026 registration
What are you waiting for? Submit your proposal today!
Discover how Mount Vernon Downtown Association’s artisan retail market, The LIDO Collective, provides local artists with a place to build their confidence, learn business skills, and grow their client base – all while revitalizing their downtown core.
Help us welcome Buffy Skee from Oklahoma Main Street, Liz Parham from North Carolina Main Street, and Frances Jo Hamilton from Heritage Ohio as they join the Coordinating Programs Leadership Council.
New research dives into the challenges and needs of Main Street leaders in Boston and North Carolina and provides recommendations for support and resources to help local leaders succeed.
