Early Bird Registration Deadline Nearing for National Main Streets Conference in Detroit

LANSING, Mich., March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The early bird registration deadline is nearing for the National Main Streets Conference, the premier historic preservation and downtown revitalization event in the country, coming to Detroit's GM Renaissance Center from May 18-20.

The deadline to secure early bird registration rates is Monday, March 17.

The event showcases and celebrates the innovative ideas and practices that make the Main Street Approach® one of the most powerful community development tools in the nation. It brings together leading professionals in preservation-based economic development and community revitalization, appealing to Main Street program directors, architects, planners, economic development professionals, public officials, volunteers and consultants.

There's also a spot for volunteers, who can benefit from free 100-level course offerings, including one on the Main Street Four-Point Approach®, the foundation on which local initiatives that drive downtown revitalization are based. It will explain how to leverage assets, from cultural or architectural heritage to local enterprises and community pride. It also will cover innovative ideas and practices around the Four Points: organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring.

Detroit is the perfect backdrop for the conference as the city offers bold lessons on resilience, innovation and hard work.

"Detroit is making a comeback. Urban farming, pop-up businesses, unique public art and creative partnerships are just a few of the ways Detroit residents are rebuilding their city." says Patrice Frey, president and CEO of the National Main Street Center. "The entrepreneurial spirit in Detroit is something the conference is excited to showcase."

Attendees will experience three full days of educational opportunities, dozens of mobile workshops, unforgettable special events, unique venues and networking galore. People from urban neighborhood business districts, small and rural towns, suburban communities, large and midsized cities, all will benefit from ideas, solutions, issue discussion and networking opportunities that only this conference offers.

Planners are pleased to bring the annual conference to Detroit, a city that is actively utilizing unique grassroots initiatives to overcome economic challenges.

The 2014 conference is hosted by the Michigan Main Street Center at MSHDA in conjunction with the National Main Street Center.

"The City of Detroit and Main Street communities across Michigan have been doing some amazing work to revitalize our state's downtowns and neighborhoods and we're excited to share those success stories and challenges," said MSHDA Executive Director Scott Woosley. "We're thrilled to see this work brought to the national stage."

The Michigan Main Street Center is part of MSHDA's effort to create vibrant communities across the state.

"The Michigan Main Street Center provides Michigan communities with the tools needed to develop into thriving districts," said Laura Krizov, manager of the Michigan Main Street Center at MSHDA. "The Main Street 4-point Approach® can be used to create jobs, attract and retain residents and investment while building a sense of place."

Since its founding more than 10 years ago, the Center has used the Main Street approach to breathe new life into historic downtowns statewide, attracting nearly $100 million in private investment and creating nearly 1,000 new jobs.

To register, visit preservationnation.org/msconference. Early bird registration rates will be in effect through Monday, March 17. Although 100-level sessions are free, attendees are still asked to register online.

For conference updates, follow @NatlMainStreet and @MichiganMainSt on Twitter and Facebook.

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SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority