The 2020 Downtown Intersections Virtual Conference will be an interactive, remote learning and asset-based economic development experience that will guide you towards a vibrant downtown and resilient Main Street program. The experience begins with a series of live and recorded webinars exploring connection, investment and recovery, including celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Virginia Main Street (VMS) and concluding with community Merit Award achievements. Registration has opened, and we highly encourage you to register for the virtual conference today! Whether you own a small business, serve as an elected official, volunteer for a nonprofit organization or hold a position within the field of community and economic development, Downtown Intersections offers an excellent opportunity to view and learn best practices from sessions designed for everyone!

To learn more about sessions, speakers and how to experience the 2020 Downtown Intersections Virtual Conference, download the conference workbook. Use the workbook to reflect on the future you would like to see for your Main Street and develop a path forward while identifying the session ideas that rise to today’s needs. Before each session, review the speaker’s bio and ponder what question(s) you might ask if presented the opportunity. During or after each session, utilize respective pages to determine what question, if answered, could make the greatest difference in understanding and/or implementing the session’s focus. Participants can also record their impressions, jotting down notes for future reference and reflect on the material presented during the session, considering three top ideas that they can implement to make their community a better place to live, work and visit. After you have journeyed through all the sessions, turn your attention to the final “Strategic Doing” page to review four key questions that will refine your thinking on recovery and growth, helping participants explore creative revitalization ideas that may inspire project proposals for the Main Street Idea Pitch!

In lieu of an in-person conference this year, our primary goal was to bring together a group of dynamic speakers and partners to discuss current issues facing communities, as well as present actionable and practical tools for developing possible strategies to create energetic and resilient Main Street programs and commercial districts across Virginia. – Joy Rumley, Program Manager, Virginia DHCD

We look forward to connecting with you soon!