Destination Downtown

Destination Downtown
September 14-16, 2009
El Dorado, Arkansas

Monday, September 14

Time TBA Opening Reception
Myrtelle’s House – 323 W. Oak Street

Tuesday, September 15

7:30 Early-Bird Session
Designing Window Displays that Sell
Susan Shaddox - Interior Design Consultant, Main Street Arkansas
2 Fifty 2 Building – 200 W. Main

8:00 Registration and Coffee
2 Fifty 2 Building – 200 W. Main

9:00 – 10:30 Opening Session
Historic Rialto Theater - 117 East Cedar Street
Welcome and Introductions
Cary Tyson, Director, Main Street Arkansas
Bob Wilson, Director, Mississippi Main Street Association
Ray Scriber, Director, Louisiana Main Street Program
El Dorado Promise Representative

10:45 – Noon Concurrent Sessions
What to Do About Those Vacancies – TODAY!
Diane Laird – State Coordinator, Delaware Main Street Program Chamber of Commerce Board Room – 111 W. Main

Keeping Main Street Afloat in a Down Economy
Stephanie Redman – President, ReSurge, Inc.
2 Fifty 2 Building – 200 W. Main

12:15 – 1:30 Lunch on Your Own
Roundtables for Executive Directors and State Staff

1:45 – 3:00 Concurrent Sessions
El Dorado - 1971
Ron Frantz – Architect, Oklahoma Main Street Center
Chamber of Commerce Board Room – 111 W. Main

Best Board Practices: Twelve Touchstones of a Healthy Main Street Organization
Stephanie Redman – President, ReSurge, Inc.
2 Fifty 2 Building – 200 W. Main

3:15 – 4:30 Sessions and Tour
Growing Our Own Businesses with Entrepreneur Development
Keith Kjelstrom - Principal, Keith Kjelstrom Consulting
Chamber of Commerce Board Room – 111 W. Main

Proper Care & Feeding of Your Main Street Manager
Marian Boyd – Deputy Director, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
2 Fifty 2 Building – 200 W. Main

Ticketed Tour
Downtown El Dorado Walking Tour
Rachel Silva – Preservation Outreach Coordinator, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

6:30 - until Showdown at Sunset and Closing Party
Courthouse Square and Laredo Grill

Late night Haunted El Dorado
Rachel Miller – Education Outreach Coordinator, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

Wednesday, September 16

7:30 Early Bird Session
Retail and Business Events That Work
Kathy LaPlante – Program Officer, National Trust’s Main Street Center
2 Fifty 2 Building – 200 W. Main

8:00 Registration and Coffee

9:00 – 10:15 Concurrent Session
Deep Fried Internet
Tripp Muldrow - Arnett Muldrow & Associates
Chamber of Commerce Board Room – 111 W. Main

Smart Growth with Downtown Housing
Chris Chain - President/Owner, Renovations of Mississippi, Inc.
2 Fifty 2 Building – 200 W. Main

10:30 – 11:45 Closing Session
Insanity Has It’s Own Rewards
Roger Brooks – Destination Development, Inc.

11:45 Adjourn