2025 Conference

October 15-17
Downtown San Luis Obispo

Commercial district revitalization professionals and community stakeholders from around the state have chosen San Luis Obispo as the location for this years’ annual California Main Street Conference. The dynamic, three-day event is planned for October 15-17 at venues across Downtown SLO. Don’t miss it!

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

 

Sessions Powered by our
Presenting Sponsor

 

Why attend? Hear from a Main Street leader

“The CAMS Conference is a crash course in Main Street excellence from leaders who understand California's unique culture, heritage, business, and social communities. Ever since my first CAMS conference in Pleasanton (2018), I have been a staunch supporter of Main Street training at the state and local level. My organization has implemented successful programs based on the connections and knowledge shared at past CAMS Conferences. I am very excited to explore Downtown SLO as they have one of the most robust Main Street programs in the state. I know the networking and learning opportunities from this conference will be invaluable. “

Christine Davis, Carlsbad Village Business Association

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

CAMS Designated Communities:

  • 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

  • Wednesday, October 15

    Registration
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
    Region Event Center

    Explore the Neighborhood
    Walking Tour with Local Historian
    10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

    Educational Sessions
    Exhibitors
    1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    The Palm Theater

    Happy Hour: Art & Mingle
    4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

    Networking 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
    The Penny

    Educational Sessions
    8:30 - 5:00 PM
    The Penny | Hotel Cerro

    Award-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***

  • Friday, October 17

    Educational Sessions
    9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

    Tour of CalPoly Center for Innovations & Entrepreneurship (including sneak peek at new location)
    9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    11:30 - 1:30 PM Keynote and Closing Lunch at Swanson Center, CalPoly Campus

    ***More exciting conference programming to be announced.

How To Get There

Fly in and out of the SLO County Airport

Alaska Airlines (from Las Vegas, Portland, San Diego, Seattle)
American Airlines (from Dallas, Pheonix)
United Airlines (from Denver, Los Angeles or San Francisco)

Transportation to/from the airport.

Travel by Train with Amtrak | SLO Station

Where To Stay

  • Hotel Cerro - Official Conference Hotel

    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)

    Book by 9/15/25

 More Hotel Options

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.). 

Our call for sessions is closed. Please contact us if you have questions.

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)