2025 Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Downtown San Luis Obispo
Three days of content, conversation, and connection
Passionate Main Street professionals sharing best practices
Information-rich sessions with local and national experts
Sunset happy hour
Interactive walking tour
Co-Hosts
Targeted Main Street Trainings
Orientation for Main Street Executive Directors
Board essentials
Revitalization strategies
Housing and real estate
Tourism and economic development
Streetscape strategies
Special assessment districts
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
Legislative updates
Get to Know SLO.
A thriving city with history, art, and Central Coast vibes
Downtown SLO is an Accredited Main Street community serving San Luis Obispo as their advocate for downtown business and downtown vitality.
Established as a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization, their mission is to foster an economically vibrant downtown. Downtown SLO drives downtown visitation through community-centered special events, like the weekly Farmers’ Market, as well as marketing and economic initiatives. Explore Downtown SLO.
Registration Fees
Registration will open soon.
CAMS Members:
Two (2) complimentary registration per membership.
Additional registrations:
$325 before September 15
$425 after September 15 online and on-site.
Non-Members:
$450 before September 15
$525 after September 15 online and on-site.
Single-Day Passes: $125
Conference Agenda At-A-Glance
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Wednesday, October 15
Registration
9:00 AM - 4:30 PMExplore the Neighborhood
Walking Tour with Local Historian
9:30 AM - 12:00 PMEducational Sessions
Exhibitors
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Happy Hour: Art & Mingle
4:30 PM - 5:30 PMNetworking Event - Mission Plaza
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Welcome Mixer co-hosted with the SLO Chamber of Commerce -
Thursday, October 16
Registration & Exhibitors
8:30 - 5:00 PM
Educational Sessions
8:30 - 5:00 PMAward-Winning
Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market
6:00 - 9:00 PM
The famous weekly Downtown SLO farmers’ market is a full-on foodie festival for the community, featuring live music, local craft goods, and so much more.***Schedule of events subject to change***
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Friday, October 17
Educational Sessions
Keynote Breakfast
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
How To Get There
Fly in and out of the SLO County Airport
on United Airlines (from LAX or SFO) or Alaska Airlines (from San Diego)
Transportation to/from the airport.
Travel by Train with Amtrak | SLO Station
Where To Stay
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Hotel Cerro
1125 Garden St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | 805.548.1000
Walking distance to all conference venues.
Special conference rate of $229/night (Destination fee waived) -
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
1301 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | 805.783.2707
10 minute drive from conference venues
Discounted room block for conference attendees: $149/night -
Hotel SLO
877 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | 805.235.0700
Walking distance to all conference venues.
Discounted room block for conference attendees: $279/night
Sponsors and Partners:
Sponsoring the California Main Street Conference is a targeted, cost-effective way to reach local and regional community leaders and stakeholders in the preservation-based revitalization space.
Sponsor packages provide partners with the opportunity to:
Demonstrate support for the Main Street Movement
Connect directly with local leaders and policy shapers.
Support California economies on their journey to revitalization
Partner With Us!
Call For Sessions
Themes include commercial district revitalization, housing, promotion strategies, and other topics guided by The Main Street Approach™. All presentation types will be considered (keynote, solo, panel, roundtable, etc.).
Submit your ideas by Monday, June 30 at 11:59PM.
Explore Past Conferences
2024 Conference
“Powering Local Growth" was held in Old Town Eureka with three days of content, conversation, and opportunities to connect.
The conference featured a breathtaking Sunset Happy Hour high in the trees at Redwood Sky Walk and a guided walking tour of Eureka’s 150+ Murals
70 Main Street professionals from 18+ California communities attended. Learn More >
2023 Conference
"A Vision For Success," was held in downtown Oceanside with three days of educational sessions, networking, and professional development plus a workshop presented by the National Park Service.
78 Main Street professionals from 20+ California communities attended our first in-person conference since 2018. Catch some of the highlights in this montage video created by MainStreet Oceanside. Learn More >
Prior Years (CAMS and CAMSA Conferences)
2018 Pleasanton. Highlights included Shannon Brown of Brown Marketing Strategies.
2017 Monterey
2015 Livermore
2013 Encinitas. Sessions included green practices for special events, the power of social media, historic theaters, and driving online engagement to Brick-and-Mortar Businesses.