The document announces a call for session proposals for the 2015 Destination Downtown conference in Little Rock, Arkansas from September 14-16, 2015. Proposals are due by April 17, 2015 and can cover a range of topics related to downtown and commercial district revitalization using the Main Street Approach. Accepted presenters will receive one complimentary conference registration and are expected to share their presentation materials.

1. 2015 Destination Downtown Conference
September 14-16, 2015 • Little Rock, Arkansas
Call for Education Session Proposals
Little Rock will host the 2015 Destination Downtown conference, September 14-16, 2015. We
are seeking session proposals that explore successful strategies in applying the Main Street Four-
Point Approach™ as well as the conference them “Connecting Space and Place.” The primary
reason people attend the conference is for its strong educational component and we look for
beginner to advanced proposals to meet each learning level.
This regional, tri-state conference, sponsored by Main Street Arkansas and co-sponsored by the
Mississippi Main Street Association and the Louisiana Main Street program, attracts over 300
professionals in preservation-based, commercial district revitalization, including new and
experienced downtown and neighborhood Main Street directors, board members, architects,
planners, economic development professionals, public officials, volunteers, and consultants.
Attendees hail from communities of all sizes, from small rural towns to urban neighborhoods in
large cities.
2015 CONFERENCE GENERAL TOPICS
We are seeking presentations on general commercial district revitalization topics including, but
not limited to:
• Using the federal and state rehabilitation tax credits
• Placemaking
• Certified Local Governments (CLGs)
• Sustaining a viable organization
• Small business development and entrepreneurship
• Volunteer recruitment
• Fundraising
• Crowdfunding
• Farmers’ Markets
• Soliciting festival and event sponsorships
• Creating façade improvement programs
• Developing design guidelines
• Leadership development
• Using new technologies to manage your program
• Historic Preservation
Proposal Deadline: April 17, 2015
For questions: email: greg@arkansasheritage.org or call (501) 324.9887

2. Proposal Deadline: April 17, 2015
For questions: email: greg@arkansasheritage.org or call (501) 324.9887

3. Submitting a Proposal
Education sessions cover a variety of topics
ranging from the basics of the Main Street Four-Point
Approach™ to concepts to advanced discussions of
issues in the revitalization and preservation field. All
proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee.
Sessions should be interactive, feature no more than
three presenters, and on average, be no more than 60
minutes in length. A screen, LCD projector, and
other reasonable audio visual equipment will be
provided, however presenters are required to provide
their own laptops.
PROPOSAL REVIEW CRITERIA
We are looking for sessions that highlight strategies
and models that conference attendees can apply to
their own communities. Sessions that include
multiple case studies, strategies, and solutions are of
special interest.
The following will be reviewed for all proposals:
Overall quality of the proposed of the proposed
session content
Timeliness and relevance to an important
programmatic, technical, policy, or philosophical
issue in the preservation-based revitalization field
Title that is engaging and appropriate
Description that is clear and accurate reflection of
the proposed content
Clarity and completeness of the proposal
Well-defined focus of the topic and presentation
Presentation skills and knowledge level of the
suggested speakers
Applicability and appeal to a national audience
Format and length appropriate to topic
Creative session design that allows for interaction
among participants
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A
PROPOSAL
 Title of session
 Target Audience (beginner, intermediate,
advanced)
 Session format (panel, roundtable, etc.)
 Learning objectives of the session
 Contact information and brief bio for
submitter/session manager and all presenters
 50-75 word description
 One-page session outline
DESIGNING YOUR EDUCATION SESSION
Have in mind specific learning objectives for the
session. What will the participants learn? How can
the program and processes be applied in other
communities?
Describe at which “level” your session will be
conducted. The beginner/intermediate session is
aimed primarily at participants who need information
about basic main street, preservation, and
revitalization tools. The intermediate/advanced
designation assumes a high degree of participant
knowledge and experience in the Main Street
approach.
Determine the format of your session, and include
time for a question-and-answer period at the end of
the session.
SUBMITTER RESPONSIBILITIES
 Design and develop content for the session that
matches the proposed title and description.
 If additional presenters are included in the
session, the submitter is responsible for
obtaining their agreement, collecting all contact
and other requested information from each
proposed speaker, and communicating all
relevant details to others involved. It is assumed
that all presenters listed on the proposal have
been contacted and have agreed to participate.
 If the session is selected, the submitter will work
with Main Street Arkansas staff to finalize
educational content and other details.
 Presenters must submit handouts available for
download online prior to and after the
conference.
If you are including other presenters in your
proposal, please remember:
 There is a limit of three (3) speakers per session.
 Contact potential presenters to determine if they
are willing to present on your proposed topic
before submitting this proposal. All presenters
should be familiar with and agree to all terms
and conditions of presenting at the Main Streets
Conference.
 Choose speakers that you know are
knowledgeable presenters who can effectively
communicate their message to a variety of
audiences.
Proposal Deadline: April 17, 2015
For questions: email: greg@arkansasheritage.org or call (501) 324.9887

4. Terms and Conditions
PLEASE NOTE
 Presenters must agree to all terms and conditions for participation.
 Session submitter will serve as primary contact for Main Street Arkansas, and must have a valid e-mail address.
 Presenter must include fee and expense requirements. Speaker honorarium and fee for expenses will be
negotiated separately with each speaker.
 Presenters are offered one complimentary conference registration.
 For all accepted submissions, Main Street Arkansas reserves the right to edit title, description, outcomes, or
reassign identified topic areas for promotional purposes.
 All presenters for accepted sessions will receive and be expected to return a signed speaker agreement outlining
terms and conditions.
 Education sessions are non-commercial. Presenters may not promote a product, service, or anything else
representing monetary self-interest.
 Presenters agree to share PDF version of their presentation to be hosted on conference website.
 Presenters agree to be audio taped for podcasting which will be available via the conference website.
 Sessions at Destination Downtown are scheduled all day Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
KEY DATES
 Submissions due April 17, 2015
 Acceptance notification April 30, 2015
 Session presentations due August 31, 2015
 Destination Downtown September 14-16, 2015
Proposal Deadline: April 17, 2015
For questions: email: greg@arkansasheritage.org or call (501) 324.9887