July 30, 2019 | Main Spotlight: Introducing We Are Main Street |
We all know that Main Street is so much more than just a place. For close to 40 years, the Main Street movement has been so successful because of the people who have dedicated their time, talents, and energy to improving our downtowns and commercial districts.
As a movement, Main Street is about building community connections and mobilizing citizens from all walks of life around a shared purpose. We want to know what that looks like in your community.
That’s why we’re excited to announce the We Are Main Street campaign, which we previewed at the Main Street Now conference in Seattle. We Are Main Street is a platform for us all to celebrate the people that make Main Streets special and showcase the broad diversity of champions who make these places thrive. We invite you to join us in sharing the stories of the Main Street heroes in your community and helping us raise our collective profile.
Starting today (we know some of you have already gotten started, which is great!), we invite you to download a few starter kit materials:
We Are Main Street Postcard
Download the We Are Main Street postcard, print, and take to your summer events! Encourage community members to write down what Main Street means to them, snap their pic, and share on social channels using #WeAreMainStreet. Stay tuned to Main Street America’s social channels as we spotlight some of our favorites!
If you'd like to take to your local printer, please download this file.
We Are Main Street Photo Frame
Want to take it one step further? Download this giant We Are Main Street photo frame for the perfect photo op! We encourage you to take to your local printer as the frame is quite large - 36”Wx48”L with a 24”x24” cutout.
In September, you can expect even more We Are Main Street downloadable materials and an official campaign toolkit. Beginning that month, we’ll be sharing special features each month highlighting Main Street champions on our website and in our newsletter, blog, and across social channels. We invite you to join us!
Take a look at the monthly themes below and start thinking about Main Streeters in your community that you can celebrate right along with us. And don’t forget to use the #WeAreMainStreet hashtag so we can share them with the network!
September: Launch Month
Recognize all the community members who make your Main Street shine by asking them to fill out the We Are Main Street postcard with what Main Street means to them, pose with it in a photo, and share it to social media using #WeAreMainStreet.
October: Community Leaders
From Main Street staff and board members to city leaders and community partners, take this month to celebrate the professionals who are committed to the success of your Main Street.
November: Month of giving thanks!
There’s no better time than the month of Thanksgiving to share your gratitude for all the people who power your Main Street program in ways both big and small.
December: Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
Showcase the hardworking small business owners and entrepreneurs who make your commercial district thrive year-round and remind us why it’s so important to shop small during the holiday season.
January: Experience Makers
Whether it’s an artist, musician, maker, performer, or restauranteur, highlight your creative community members who breathe life and character into your downtown.
February: Innovators and Changemakers
Spotlight the people who are pushing the Main Street movement forward in new and creative ways.
March: Youth
Focus on the young people in your community who are leading the future of the movement and making a difference downtown.
April: Volunteers
Celebrate and thank the community members who lend their time and expertise to your Main Street program and make revitalization efforts possible.
May: Preservationists
Highlight the people who are working to preserve buildings and spaces that capture the history of your commercial district.
Stay tuned for more from us on how you can get involved in the We Are Main Street campaign. In the coming months, we’ll be rolling out a suite of We Are Main Street social shareables, logos, an online swag shop, and more, and inviting you to share your stories with us for the opportunity to be featured in the national campaign.