Great American Main Street Awards: An Insider’s Guide August 14, 2014 Presenters: Patrice Frey, National Main Street Center Steve Amraen, National Main Street Center Eddie Bumbaugh, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 2 Patrice Frey President & CEO National Main Street Center

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 3 Steve Amraen Associate Manager of Network Services National Main Street Center

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 4 Wednesday, September 17: Applications Due (Midnight CST) Friday, October 17: Semi-Finalists Announced Monday, March 30, 2015: Winners Announced at 2015 Conference in Atlanta GAMSA 2015 Timeline

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 5 1)Download application from Main Street website 2)Complete Application 3) completed application along with supporting materials to 4)Once you receive confirmation, mail in your $150 application fee to: National Main Street Center Attn: GAMSA 2600 Virginia Ave NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC Process

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 6 Include up to 15 photos Letter of Support from Coordinator Information about community and program New Requirements in 2015

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 7

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 8 Application Tips Use high quality photos that showcase all aspects of your community Be sure to highlight results and outcomes of project or event Incorporate the four committees into your application Start Early! Photo Credit: DDA Main Street

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 9 Eddie Bumbaugh Executive Director Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 10 Evaluating GAMSA Early goal to receive award Encouraged to apply for several years Concerned pre-mature for HDR Projects in process or for future Informed 2-4 years typically to win Applied in 2013 and named Semifinalist

Learning GAMSA Start early and develop team Assign tasks and timelines Create outline and gather data Determine assets and achievements Talk with other winning communities Ask questions of Main Street staff National Main Street Center 11

Selling GAMSA Select primary writer for first draft Ask others to edit and review Read with outsider perspective Use bullets and lists Include quotes and brief examples Revise numerous times National Main Street Center 12

Documenting GAMSA Photos of downtown life Mountains2MainStreets brochure Business Recruitment Guide Plan Our Park presentation Culinary and Documentary videos Letters of support National Main Street Center 13

Celebrating GAMSA Professional film crew and video Announcement and video at fundraiser Recruited board members and planes Media coverage and supporter excitement City council and service clubs presentations Virginia Business, Preservation, and other publications National Main Street Center 14

Sustaining GAMSA Valley Fourth parade Plaque and banner at Visitor Center Banners and signage at parking decks Stickers for businesses Promotion design for newsletter and logo Rest on laurels or use as launch for progress National Main Street Center 15

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 16 Patrice Frey President & CEO National Main Street Center

Innovation Lab Webinar Series 17 Impact of Main street organization on community Involvement of public/private sector Commitment to Historic Preservation Demonstrated success of Four- Point approach Main Street creating great place to live, work, play & visit Supporting documents Judging Criteria Credit: Deb Sprecker Credit: Brandy Somers

Questions? National Main Street Center 18 Registration opens soon for our next online training! “What Every New Main Street Manager Needs to Know,” September 11 at 1pm Central/2pm Eastern with Norma Ramirez de Miess