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Join us for LAB 2021

Aug 18th, 2021 - Aug 20th, 2021 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Check out this message from Kay Moore, Downtown Gadsden, Inc. Executive Director.

 

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Session topics cover all Four Points of the Main Street Approach and will benefit communities that are ready to advance their redevelopment efforts.

In addition to nationally known speakers, we are especially pleased to be hearing from Mary Means, the Founder of the Main Street movement. She has watched communities weather many storms over the last 40 years and her words of the current state of Main Street will leave you feeling inspired.  

AGENDA 

Wednesday, August 18 (Kress Building located at 318-320 Broad Street)

8:30 AM REGISTRATION OPENS

9:00 - 9:30 AM RAPID FIRE BREAKFAST: "Projects from Planning to Development" Orchestra Partners and Jasper Main Street

DESCRIPTION: In this session, Orchestra Partners will discuss their partnership with Jasper Main Street on the redevelopment of Sherer Auditorium and the connection of Town Creek. 

Sponsored by Orchestra Partners; Orchestra Partners believes in the future of cities and avidly supports Main Street America. 

9:30 - 10:00 AM Official Welcome and Kickoff

10:00 - 10:15 AM Break Sponsored by Exchange Bank

10:15 - 11:15 AM "Strategic Planning 101 – How To!" Hollie Cost and Herman Lehman, Keys to the City Community Coaching, Sarah Hogan, City of Montevallo 

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM "How to Create and Support an Entrepreneurial Environment," Shelley Paasch, Kansas Main Street 

12:15 - 2:00 PM LUNCH AND RETAIL THERAPY

2:00 - 3:00 PM KEYNOTE: "The Future of Main Street," Mary Means, Founder of the Main Street Movement

3:00 - 3:45 PM "Exploring Ideas for Public Art," Missy Miles, Miles of Murals

3:45 - 4:00 PM BREAK Sponsored by Locable

4:00 - 5:00 PM OPENING PLENARY: "COVID - What's Next?" Jay Schlinsog, Downtown Professionals Network

DESCRIPTION: Recent trends signaling a return to something resembling a pre-pandemic normal have been dashed by the emergence of the COVID-19 Delta variant. So what's next?  Is this part of a "new normal" and the lingering effects that will continue to challenge us to think differently and to adapt in the months and years ahead? And is the prospect of someday returning to "normal" a good thing? Join us as we explore some of the possibilities, and how some changes could become part of our district’s fabric and the way we do business in a post-COVID-19 era.

5:00 - 7:00 PM SOCIAL: Back Forty Brewery, 200 N. 6th St, hosted by Downtown Gadsden, Inc.

 *No cost to attend but registration is required*

Thursday, August 19 (Cultural Arts Center, 501 Broad Street)

8:00 AM REGISTRATION OPENS

8:30 - 9:00 AM RAPID FIRE BREAKFAST: Dale Dickens, Urban Forestry of Alabama  

9:00 - 10:00 AM "ADECA 101," Elaine Fincannon, Deputy Director of ADECA

10:00 - 10:15 AM BREAK Sponsored by Dixie Decorations

10:15 - 11:30 AM "Advocacy - Getting Your Main Street Message on Point," Kelly Humrichouser, National Main Street Center

DESCRIPTION: With the impacts of COVID on small businesses and downtowns, Main Street programs have activated their advocacy muscles at the local, state and federal levels like never before. While the pandemic is waning, advocacy for Main Street is a constant need, and strong messaging requires refinement and practice to keep your message on point. This interactive session will help develop your advocacy message and put it into action so that you’re prepared to keep moving the needle for downtown priorities.

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM "Development in the Urban Environment - Birmingham's Masonic Temple," Irvin Henderson, Principal, Henderson & Company.

Irvin Henderson has expertise in the areas of community development, commercial, residential and enterprise development.  He is the Chair of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, as well as being a member of the board for Main Street America. The NTCIC Small Deal Main Street Program was recently renamed in his honor.

12:15 - 1:30 PM LUNCH AND RETAIL THERAPY

1:30 - 2:30 PM "Road Diets- How Birmingham is Working with ALDOT for Safer Streets," Mike Kaczorowski, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, Christina Argo, City of Birmingham - Department of Transportation and Clark Bailey, PE PTOE with Kimley Horn and Bert Kuyrkendall, PE AICP Partner with Orion Planning & Design

2:30 - 4:30 PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS ON THE STREET "Upper Floor Development in Gadsden" Tour seven completed lofts - The Lofts @ 612 with the Campbells, "What Makes a Business a Destination with Tena King," an interactive session clarifying the meaning of "destination businesses" visiting three destination businesses in beautiful downtown Gadsden. 

3:15 - 3:30 PM BREAK (Grab & Go) Sponsored by Opportunity Alabama

6:00 - 7:00 PM PRE-BANQUET: "Cocktail Hour presented by Regions Bank," The Venue at Coosa Landing, 201 George Wallace Drive 

*This event is included with the Awards for Excellence Ticket*

 

7:00 - 9:00 PM BANQUET: "Awards for Excellence," The Venue at Coosa Landing, 201 George Wallace Drive

DESCRIPTION: Join Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, Main Street Alabama and our special guests as we celebrate the successes of our Main Street programs with a dinner and awards program.

*Separate Ticket Required - Limited Seating*  

Friday, August 20, 2021 (Museum of Arts, 515 Broad Street)

8:00 AM REGISTRATION OPENS

8:30 - 9:00 AM RAPID FIRE BREAKFAST: "Loan Readiness - Working with Regions Bank on Getting Your Entrepreneurs Credit Ready," Drew Miller, Regions Bank

Sponsored by Regions Bank

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM "Tell Your Story: Claiming Your Business, Wayfinding & Merchandising, Shawn Terpack," Tripp Muldrow, Arnett Muldrow & Associates, Leigh Muldrow

10:30 - 10:45 AM BREAK Sponsored by EDPA

12:00 - 12:15 PM CLOSING REMARKS

Speakers

Irvin M. Henderson, Henderson & Company

Irvin Henderson is the principal of Henderson & Company, a consulting firm and development company with particular expertise in the areas of community development, commercial, residential, and enterprise development. He is the former President and CEO of Henderson Financial Services and the former CEO of Gateway Community Development. Irvin is Chair of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, a Trustee of the CRA Fund, Past Chair and current Executive Committee Member of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Chair of the Capital Markets Collaborative Council, and the Founding President of the Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina.

 

 

Jay Schlinsog, Downtown Professionals Network

Jay Schlinsog is the founder of Downtown Professionals Network (DPN) and creator of Reopen Main Street, a special project focused on helping small businesses, community leaders and organizations advance COVID-19 recovery efforts. Jay has more than thirty years of community and economic development experience working at both the local level, and with more than 200 communities and organizations across the United States. Jay started DPN in 2000 as a collaborative for industry-leading advocates and practitioners who specialize in downtown and business district revitalization solutions. Prior to launching DPN, Jay served as executive director with Main Street and Chamber of Commerce organizations in Idaho, Illinois, Washington and Wisconsin.

 

 

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Kelly Humrichouser, Director of Government Relations, Main Street America

As the Director of Government Relations, Kelly leads the development of Main Street America's (MSA) statewide and local advocacy program. She focuses on supporting MSA's Main Street state, city, and country Coordinating Programs in defending and growing their programs to meet the extraordinary demands brought about by COVID-19 response and recovery. Kelly works alongside MSA's great network of Main Street programs in pushing for federal support for Main Streets. 

Prior to serving as the Director of Government Relations, Kelly was the Manager of Education & Illinois Main Street Coordinating Program. In this role, Kelly worked to deliver professional development content via the Main Street America Institute (MSAI) and educational offerings of the Main Street Now Conference. In addition, she coordinated training, technical service, and communications for the amazing communities that comprise the Illinois Main Street program. Before joining MSA in 2016, Kelly worked at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), which included implementing the school’s strategic plan for diversity and inclusion. Originally from northeast Ohio, Kelly graduated with a B.A. in Art History from Kenyon College and a M.S. in Historic Preservation from SAIC. Most recently, she completed the National Development Council’s Historic Real Estate Finance certification offered through MSAI.

 

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Missy Miles, Gourd Artist and Muralist

 

Missy began her gourd journey through a gift of gourds in 2005 for Valentine’s Day. Shortly after receiving her gift, she discovered the Alabama Gourd society. The AGS helped her discover the techniques of carving, woodburning, and beading. Sculpted gourd vessels to gourd parts mounted on canvas are techniques she discovered on her gourd path. She and her husband Tommy also grow their own gourds. She has not found an animal or person they could not become. Missy has held the title Alabama Gourd Queen three times - 2010, 2011, 2012. The world’s oldest fruit made a permanent impression on her.

Missy began her mural journey in 2008 with “arches” in Guin, AL. Little did she know that the illusion of three archways would lead her to many rural communities to share their history, culture, and spirit with public art.

Missy has completed over 100 murals to date. Her mural work can be found in Marion, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Walker and Jefferson counties.

Missy is originally from Camden, AL.  She has lived in eight states (AL, OH, MO, KY, ND, TX, TN, FL and returned to Alabama in 2003.  She met her husband shortly after returning to Alabama and they are both looking forward to their forever home in Bexar, AL.

Missy Miles has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in interior design from Nec -Bauder College, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Her past positions in this field have been with Alene Workman Asid in Hollywood, FL, and Kathleen Evers Asid in Nashville, TN, where she held the position of Assistant Designer at Opryland Hotel. She held many positions with Lowe's Home Center. As District Trainer for Installed Sales, she helped open over 70 stores in the midwest. Feeling very proud and honored by her past opportunities, she could not be more satisfied by her current position of living the gourd life.

 

SPONSORS

Awards of Excellence Dinner Sponsor

AMEA Logo

 

 

 

Awards of Excellence Cocktail Hour Sponsor

Regions Logo

 

 

Gold Sponsors

Spire logoOrchestra logocadence logo Lanthan logo

Silver "Break" Sponsors

Exchange Bank logoLocable logo 

 

Bronze Sponsor

To learn more about LAB 21 sponsor opportunities, click here. Questions? Email or call Jennifer at 817-875-9004.

 

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