Main Street Now 2024
Main Street Now 2024, or the 2024 Main Street Now conference was national conference hosted in Birmingham on May 6–8, 2024 by Main Street Alabama and the Alabama Tourism Department.
More than 2,000 delegates attended the conference, which featured more than 140 educational sessions along with mobile workshops and networking events, including a welcoming reception at City Walk and a closing "Big Bash" at Sloss Furnaces. The conference made use of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex and the Alabama Theatre for programs. Many participated in walking tours of downtown Birmingham, Woodlawn, the 4th Avenue Historic District, historic churches, Sloss Furnaces and Vulcan Park, as well as field trips to Gadsden, Jasper, Montgomery, and Wetumpka.
Randall Woodfin delivered an address at the opening plenary session at the Alabama Theatre. Keynote speaker for the conference was Akilah Watkins, founder of the Washington D.C.-based nonprofit Independent Sector. National Main Street president Erin Barnes gave the closing address.
Regions Bank and The Hartford Insurance Co. were the main corporate sponsors for the conference. It was estimated that the event generated $4 million in economic impact for greater Birmingham.
References
- Sznajderman, Michael (July 2, 2024) "Don't be surprised — people love Birmingham." guest editorial. Comeback Town / Birmingham Business Journal