Site visits will be scheduled at the discretion of the selection committee.

Maine Downtown Center strives to showcase communities that place a high value on strengthening their core historic downtown. Our conference offers a platform for your city or town to share its successes with a wider audience and provide conference goers with an exceptional experience. In 2024, the conference brought over 160 people to the beautiful downtowns of Biddeford and Saco for keynotes, workshops, tours, and social events. The conference will include the MDC Annual Awards Celebration, which highlights outstanding projects, organizations, and individuals in our downtown communities.

“[Hosting the 2024 MDC Conference] was a great opportunity to showcase Biddeford + Saco. Our city councils were appreciative of this opportunity to bring 150 people to the downtown, and benefit local businesses.”

– Delilah Poupore (Heart of Biddeford) and Angie Presby (Saco Main Street)

The Maine Downtown Center seeks proposals from interested communities to host its 2027 Maine Downtown Conference. Respondents should be Main Street Organizations or Downtown Affiliates. This RFP is being sent to those communities only.

The conference will attract attendees from all areas of Maine, drawing anyone working on or interested in downtown revitalization together for education, idea exchanges, networking, and social events. Attendees will represent downtown revitalization programs, local and state government, foundations, financial institutions, downtown organization volunteers, downtown business and property owners, and community and economic development organizations. MDC and the selected host community will promote the conference to members and non-members alike, as well as to statewide professional organizations. We estimate an attendance of around 150 people for the conference. We seek a strong host partner to help us provide an excellent experience for our attendees, including participating in the planning and fundraising process along the way.

As the host partner for the Maine Downtown Conference, you are the on-site expert and liaison for your community. Your responsibilities will include:

– Regularly attending conference planning meetings via Zoom – monthly to start and then biweekly as the conference approaches

– Identifying key planning partners, i.e. Main Street board members, Chamber of Commerce, etc.

– Identifying adequate room accommodations including:

• A hotel or lodging option for guests with proposed room rate
• Conference venue and meeting rooms (one space to accommodate 150+, plus 2-3 additional breakout spaces accommodating 40-60). All spaces do not need to be in one location in your downtown.
• Offsite restaurant and/or entertainment, vendor/sponsor display area for 3-10 vendors (or some other creative alternative)
• Transportation services available

*When identifying potential venues and facilities, we ask you to prioritize spaces with ADA accessibility and gender inclusive facilities

– Helping the MDC team identify opportunities for in-kind partnerships for venues, catering, giveaway items, as well as sponsorships to help defray conference expenses

– Suggesting and/or organizing tours and related opportunities – What local case studies/projects would you want to include as part of a presentation or tour? What are key sites and attractions related to downtown revitalization? What local attractions and activities are there for attendees to visit pre- and post-conference?

– Identifying local food vendors that could cater the event and/or downtown dining options for a roving lunch model

– Equipment assistance (A/V etc.)

– Creative strategizing with MDC for opening/welcome reception

– Securing other local incentives, like discounts or coupons from downtown merchants