Business Recruitment on a Budget

August 28, 2018 by Travis Brown

Business Recruitment on a Budget Business Recruitment can often be one of those overlooked items on Main Street. Sure, we all have the packet for prospective businesses with information about the downtown, maybe some vacant units, and more. But how many downtown organizations have an active business recruitment strategy? Making sure that we are recruiting… Read More →




Downtown Board Membership for “Dummies”

August 2, 2018 by Travis Brown

Downtown Board Membership for "Dummies" Ok - let’s start with the title. If you are being asked (or currently on) a downtown Board of Directors there is very little chance that you are, in fact, a dummy. You’re likely a smart, talented, and driven person who wants the best for their community, and specifically your… Read More →




How to direct an Executive Director

August 2, 2018 by Travis Brown

How to direct an Executive Director When it comes to downtowns, and Main Streets in particular, the Executive Director is the person in charge. This is the way it’s supposed to work. The Executive Director is hired to run the day-to-day operations of the organization. They’re responsible (usually) for staffing, running events, balancing the budget,… Read More →




Getting the most from conferences

July 25, 2018 by Travis Brown

Getting the most from conferences I just spent a few days in the great State of Virginia for their Main Street Conference. Now, if you are from Virginia you would quickly correct me to tell me it is the Commonwealth. First and foremost they, like nearly every Main Streeter I’ve ever met, are great people.… Read More →




What to look for in an Executive Director

July 12, 2018 by Travis Brown

What to look for in an Executive Director In 2009 I got a job that would change the course of my career. I was fortunate enough to be tabbed as the Executive Director for the Historic Quincy Business District in Quincy, IL. I was in my early 30s with a wife and kids and was… Read More →




What to look for in a Board Member

July 12, 2018 by Travis Brown

What to look for in a Board Member If you’ve seen our other recent blog about what to look for in an Executive Director, you know that I’ve spent nearly a decade on Main Street. I’ve truly loved my time working with these organizations and watching them make their communities better. In getting to work… Read More →




Strategic Planning Downtown

June 5, 2018 by Travis Brown

Strategic Planning Downtown Main Street Organizations are great at many things. Put on an event...check. Save an historic building….check. Organize a campaign to educate city council on the importance of an issue...you bet! However, when it comes to strategic planning many Main Streets don’t take the time necessary to not only create a long-range plan,… Read More →




Successful Partnerships & Your Organization

June 5, 2018 by Travis Brown

Successful Partnerships and Your Organization You’ve heard the saying “It Takes a Village…”, well that certainly applies to Main Street. In downtown, no one does it alone. You’ve got staff members who direct the day to day operations of the organization, volunteers who provide the direction and manpower to carry out the mission, supporters who… Read More →




NOW18 A Success for Maestro!

April 20, 2018 by Travis Brown

NOW18 A Success for Maestro The NOW18 Conference in Kansas City was another great opportunity for us to see Maestro Communities, welcome several new Maestro users, and continue learning new tactics for downtown revitalization. We’ve been attending the NOW Conference since it was the National Main Streets Conference, and there are always positive things to… Read More →




Who do I share all this data with?

February 5, 2018 by Travis Brown

Who do I share all this data with? If you’re in downtown revitalization you know that we collect a lot of data. We’ve got lists that would make Santa Claus jealous. Lists of properties, businesses, contacts, sponsors, attendees, and on and on. We’re preservationist by nature, we don’t get rid of things - especially good… Read More →