Oregon Main Street Conference

2025 Oregon Main Street Conference

Dedicated to the Long Game

October 8-10, Albany

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With committed leadership, our main street programs throughout Oregon are helping to sustain and enhance the vitality of traditional commercial districts. 2025's conference theme of Dedicated to the Long Game focuses in on sustaining the model and maintaing course over time. Through unique sessions, workshops, and tours this year's theme will reinforce the power of a creating a vision for how the community would like your downtown to look, feel, and function...and then how to keep focused over the long haul.

Downtown organizations experience many highs and lows in working toward a community vision, but through dedicated efforts of local leaders, partners, and volunteers, these organizations thrive. Main Streets are ideally positioned to seize opportunities as they arise, working steadfastly to improve and enhance downtown's functionality, use, and experiences by bringing the community together to live, work, invest, and play.

Sessions cover a variety of topics for both beginners and those with experience. The format includes keynotes, interactive workshops, and networking time. Join us for this very special, one-of-a-kind conference!

Who Should Attend:
Staff and volunteers of organizations focusing on downtown historic preservation and economic development, downtown business and property owners, government leaders, chamber of commerce professionals and volunteers, and others with an interest in the future of downtown will benefit from attending this conference.

Opening Keynote:
"Strength in Unity: The Collective Power of Oregon Main Streets"

Sheri Stuart, Coordinator of Oregon Main Street

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Join us for an inspiring keynote from Sheri Stuart, Oregon Main Street State Coordinator and 2025 recipient of Main Street America's prestigious Mary Means Leadership Award. With warmth, insight, and more than 35 years of experience, Sheri will take us on a journey through the evolution of the Oregon Main Street Network since its launch. Through powerful stories and real-world examples, she'll highlight how communities have celebrated wins, tackled tough challenges, and built stronger bonds across the state. Her reflections will shine a light on the transformative power of the Main Street movement—and point us toward the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead for the next generation of thriving downtowns.

Closing Plenary:

Main Street: Changing Communities One Step at a Time!

Thriving communities start with a strong, welcoming downtown. Main Street organizations know this work never truly ends—it's ongoing, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. Along the way, we pause to celebrate milestones, recognize achievements, and reflect on how far we've come. Each win—big or small—creates ripples of impact, over time becoming waves of transformation that fuels lasting vibrancy and resilience. Join us for a special celebratory session highlighting the incredible cumulative impact Main Streets make across the state and along the way, discover how every step forward adds up to stronger, healthier communities for us all!

A mix of workshops, concurrent sessions, and tours have been put together to create a comprehensive and interactive conference experience in Albany.

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Photo courtesy of Cathy Webb & Albany Visitors Association.

Conference Locations:

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Preconference Workshops:

Wednesday, October 8 | 9 am – Noon

Main Street 101
As a place-based economic development strategy, the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ is the foundation for local communities to enhance and sustain their historic downtowns by leveraging their local assets – from cultural and architectural heritage to local entrepreneurs and community pride. This workshop will provide an in-depth look on how to integrate the four points of Main Street to build a sustainable and complete community improvement effort based on local goals and objectives. This session is good for anyone new to Main Street or would like a refresher in how to implement this effective approach. You will leave energized and ready to revitalize YOUR Main Street! (snacks provided and participants are welcome to bring a bag lunch).

Speaker: Kathy LaPlante, Senior Director of Coordinating Programs, National Main Street Center

Community Connections through Effective Storytelling
This interactive workshop explores the powerful role of storytelling in strengthening connections to place, fostering community identity, and driving engagement. Through guided exercises, real-world examples, and collaborative discussions, participants will learn how storytelling can be an effective tool to preserve history, create meaningful experiences, and inspire both locals and visitors to form emotional community connections.

Speaker: Denise Berkshire, Certified Interpretive Trainer with the National Association for Interpretation

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Photo courtesy of Camron Settlemier and Albany Visitors Association.

Included Tours:

Pioneering Women Walking Tour

You are invited to #walkwithher. Join Marti Staprans Barlow, President of HospitalityVision and a master's graduate in Extended Realities & AI, for an inspiring Pioneering Women Tour through Albany. History comes alive through the Albany Explorer App! Grab your mobile device and we'll set out to meet the incredible women who helped shape this community—brought to life with augmented reality at each spot where they lived or worked. Meet Bessie Hale, our first Black woman business owner. Meet the mother of Women's Suffrage, and the woman who helped land Apollo 11. Marti will share stories of courage, leadership, and trailblazing achievements. The AR pioneers will appear beside you, making the journey both immersive and unforgettable. Bring your curiosity, your comfortable walking shoes, your sense of adventure, and your Albany Explorer app—let's celebrate these remarkable women together!

Downtown District Walking Tour

Oscar Hult, a natty dresser and Oregon Heritage award winner, will share stories and information showcasing historic buildings and locations along the way. Albany has gained a reputation as a must-see destination for people who love historic buildings. This community boasts over 800 historic homes and commercial buildings, three museums, and several historic churches. Historians and architects credit Albany with having the most varied collection of historic buildings in Oregon. The collection includes styles from the 1850s through the 1940s and is concentrated within an area of approximately one hundred square blocks. Four Albany Historic Districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The walking tour will focus on 12 blocks of First and Second Avenue in the Downtown Commercial Historic District, beginning at Burkhart Square (next to the Albany Civic Theater) at 101 1st Ave SW.

Albany History Trolley Tour

Bill Maddy, Albany Regional Museum docent and Albany historian; former Albany Regional Museum Executive Director, and retired County Extension Agent will serve as Albany Streetcar Conductor. Tour guests will hop aboard the Albany Streetcar at the Albany Regional Museum. Your Conductor guide will share his favorite humorous, unique and wild stories related to the history of Albany, the Hub City of Willamette Valley. Trolley seating is limited so reserve your ticket to board today!

From Vision to Vibrancy: The Downtown Albany Story
Join Sophie Adams, Economic Development Manager for the City of Albany, on an immersive walking tour through the heart of Albany's downtown Urban Renewal District. This tour offers a firsthand look at how intentional planning, strategic public investment, and strong public-private partnerships have transformed downtown Albany into a vibrant, growing destination.

Participants will explore key redevelopment sites and local landmarks. Sophie will share the city's journey of revitalization through risk-taking, partnerships, and how a clear strategy and trust in the process have encouraged significant private investment.

Learn how Albany has balanced preservation with progress, engaged the community in long-term planning, and built momentum around a shared vision for the future while staying true to its historic roots.

Whether you're curious about structuring deals, harnessing community input, or managing the complexities of urban renewal, this tour is a chance to see it all in action.
Comfortable shoes and curiosity encouraged!

Albany in Action: Buildings, Businesses & Bright Ideas

Join the Albany Downtown Association, for a walking tour through historic downtown Albany, where revitalization, recognition, and commerce all come to life. This tour showcases Main Street grant-funded building rehabilitation projects. You'll meet property owners, see firsthand the transformation process, and learn how local incentives have sparked broader improvements. Along the way, we’ll highlight award-winning projects and places that have earned statewide recognition through the Excellence on Main Awards. Hear stories of creativity and commitment from local businesses like The Natty Dresser, Margin Coffee, and Sybaris Bistro. We’ll also step inside some of Albany’s standout legacy retailers—including Emma’s Downtown and Calapooia Gallery—to hear their perspectives on sustaining small business success in today’s changing retail landscape. This session offers an inspiring look at how one Main Street community is honoring its past while building a thriving future.

Additional Evening Tour:

Trolley of Terror: OMS Conference Exclusive Opportunity
Thursday, October 9, 2025, 7pm or 8pm

Tickets $20 each. Limited to 25 per tour. Tours begin and end at the Monteith House Museum, 518 Second St SW. Board the trolley to ride in style as a guide recounts terrifying tales of unexplainable encounters in the downtown Albany area of more than 20 locations. After the trolley tour, you will be invited inside the Monteith House to hear some of the chilling ghostly tails that have been experienced within its walls. (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes) Monteith tours raise funds to help support the Monteith Historical Society's mission to continue to preserve Albany's first frame house and its collection of pioneer artifacts, as well as provide educational opportunities for the public. Tickets sold separately from conference registration.

Order Tickets for Trolly of Terror Here

Things to Know Before You Register

Conference Option	Early Bird (Through Aug 15)	Regular Rate (Aug 16 to Sep 30)	Late Registration (Oct 1 - Oct 10)
Full Conference	$115	$140	$185
Wednesday Only	$25	$35	$50
Thursday Only	$60	$75	$100
Friday Only	$60	$75	$100
Student Rate \| Full Conference	$45	$75	$100
Preconference Workshops	$40	$40	$40

Instructions & Other Registration Information

If you are registering for tours you must select it when you register. There is no on-site registration.

Select your choice from the drop down to see the description.
Use the drop down to review until you have made your decision.
Click 'Select' for the one you chose.
Waitlists are available.
If you need to change or cancel your selection, please log in later to do that. Use the registration link, click 'already registered', enter your confirmation number and email address to make changes.

You can register multiple people and pay all at once!

Just click 'Add Group Member' when you get to the summary page after registering the first person. You will need all of their contact information. They will receive an email with registration confirmation.
You may register up to 30 people.
You must have a unique email for each person you register.

Payment

Credit or debit card are the only accepted payment method.
You will be prompted to enter your payment information on the second-to-last page of the registration process.

The payment system will provide a confirmation screen with a payment confirmation number and total payment amount
You will receive an email with a payment confirmation number and the total payment amount. Please check your junk folder, if you don't receive this.

Confirmation

Event Registration

The event registration system will provide a registration confirmation page with a registration confirmation number and your event selections. You can print this from your browser.
You will receive a confirmation email with your confirmation number and your sessions that required registration if you selected any. Please check your junk folder, if you don't receive this.

Register here to join us!

Lodging Options With Discounted Rates:

Phoenix Inn Suites
3410 Spicer Drive SE
Albany, Oregon
$119.00+tax Standard King Suites | $129.00+tax Standard Double Queen Suites good to Sept 7
Booking Link: Phoenix Inn OMS Conference Rate

Best Western Plus Prairie Inn
1100 Price Rd Se
Albany, OR 97322
Rate:$129 good to Sept 7
Booking link: Best Western Prairie Inn OMS Conference Rate

There are a variety of other lodging options to meet your budget and needs:

The Albany Visitors Association's website has information on additional hotel/motel and camping options: https://www.albanyvisitors.com/hotels
There are also lodging options through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO both in and near downtown.

We would love to have you sponsor the Main Street Conference!

If you know you're ready to sponsor this incredible conference or if you have questions please contact Cam Amabile at cam.amabile@oprd.oregon.gov.
Our sponsorship package explains available sponsorship opportunities.

As of July 24, 2025 all available Platinum sponsorships for this event have been allocated.

We still have our Excellence on Main Awards sole sponsorship available.

Albany, Oregon

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Photo courtesy of Dan Bateman & Albany Visitor Association.

ALBANY HISTORIC CAROUSEL & MUSEUM, 503 1st Ave. SW, Albany, OR 97321
Albany's carousel is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to building a traditional carousel in Albany's downtown historic district. The carousel is built on the framework of a 1909 Dentzel mechanism, and all the animals are carved and painted by talented and dedicated volunteers. Visit the museum downstairs for a little bit of history, then take time to watch the carvers as they bring the next creation to life. The Carousel & Museum is open 11 am-4 pm Sunday-Thursday and 11 am-7 pm Friday and Saturday. Take a ride on this one-of-a-kind treasure. Volunteers and visitors are always welcome. 541-497-2934 | AlbanyCarousel.com

MONTEITH HOUSE MUSEUM, 518 2nd Ave. SW, Albany, OR 97321
The Monteith House, built by city founders Thomas and Walter Monteith in 1849, was the first frame structure in Albany. It is one of the most authentically restored homes in Oregon. It is now a house museum, where visitors can see a pioneer kitchen and a variety of Monteith family heirlooms brought by covered wagon to make their new house a home. The house is open to the public for touring. Summer hours are 11 am-4 pm Wednesday-Saturday, and by appointment. 541-541-220-0421 | MonteithHouse.org
this house in 1849. It is the first

ALBANY REGIONAL MUSEUM, 136 Lyon St. S, Albany, OR 97321
Located in historic downtown Albany, the Albany Regional Museum welcomes visitors with monthly events and changing exhibits. The mission is to preserve, exhibit, and encourage knowledge of the history and culture of the Albany, Oregon area. The exhibits and research library are open 11 am-4 pm Tuesday-Saturday. If you have a large group, please call ahead for an appointment. 541-967-7122 | ARMuseum.com

HISTORIC DISTRICT TOURS
Albany is home to four historic districts, more than 800 historic buildings, and the most varied collection of architectural styles in the state. All of it can be enjoyed on self-guided tours with the help of our app, Albany Explorer.

The free app, downloaded to your Android or iPhone from your appropriate app store, provides visitors with a host of maps and tour information about our city's history. Much of it is taken from our publication, “Seems Like Old Times," copies of which are available at the Albany Visitors Association, 122 Ferry St. SW.

The maps are interactive–just touch the numbered icons and get a photo of the building and a little information about it. The newest addition to the app is the “Meet Our Pioneering Women" section, which profiles important women in Albany's history. Find and touch icons about each woman on the map and get a brief written biography in addition to a video with narration.

The app also includes a lot of other useful and entertaining information about best places to take a selfie, send a virtual postcard, find delicious places to eat, local places to shop, and find other exciting things to do.

ART IN ALBANY

Albany Art Commission: The Albany Art Commission organizes a monthly rotating art display in the public art gallery at Albany City Hall, as well as juried art shows throughout the year.

Public Sculpture: Visitors to Albany will spot several displays of public sculpture around the city. At the corner of First and Lyon is a sculpture garden of abstract art symbolizing Oregon geology with work by Oregon sculptor Raymond Hunter. Outside the historic Carnegie Library on 3rd and Ferry is a metal sculpture designed to appeal to children. Known as "Zeki," the lively sculpture features images of a dinosaur, giant blocks, and books. Outside the Main Library on 14th Ave S.E. is an eye-catching marble sculpture featuring a young girl reading, known as "Young Lady With The Book That Has No End.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN ALBANY: