# Event Details - **Event Name**: Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN - **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 21 Jan, 2026 at 11:00 am – Wed, 21 Jan, 2026 at 04:00 pm - **Event Description**: Presented by Proof: A One-Day Regional Economic Development Conference Hosted by Proof Programs, in partnership with TN Main Street & TNECDAbout this EventAbout the ConferenceFood and beverage businesses are a cornerstone of strong, resilient Main Streets—driving foot traffic, job creation, tourism, and community identity. This one-day regional conference serves as the official kickoff of a new statewide partnership between Proof Programs, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and Tennessee Main Street.Designed for Main Street leaders, local governments, and economic development professionals, the conference will explore practical, proven strategies to recruit and support food and beverage businesses, activate vacant spaces, and build sustainable downtown ecosystems rooted in local entrepreneurship.Attendees will also learn how businesses in Tennessee Main Street communities can access Proof’s on-demand and e-learning resources to extend support beyond the conference. Proof, TNECD, and Tennessee Main Street will introduce how 10 Main Street communities will be selected for deeper focus and additional technical assistance through this partnership.Who Should AttendMain Street directors, downtown, economic development, and planning professionals; city and county officials; tourism and chamber staff; lenders and developers; commercial property owners and brokers; and organizations that support entrepreneurs and small businesses.Featured Speakers & TopicsRetail Strategies – How cities successfully recruit restaurant and food-and-beverage brandsJustin Wilks, Jefferson’s Restaurants – What operators look for in new locations and Jefferson’s community-centric small-town growth modelThe Pop-Up Project – Activating vacant spaces through pop-ups, events, and placemakingTennessee Craft Brewers Association – Craft beer’s role in small-town revitalization and destination developmentManage My Market – Growing farmers’ markets into regional economic driversFrank Clark, Assistant Main Street Director – Creating pro-business community policy from both sides of the table: insights from a city and community planning perspective and lived experience as an entrepreneur opening and operating a coffee shopLamont Price, Innovation Director, Community & Government Financial Markets (CGFM), TNECD – Overview of the Fund TN program and additional best-practice resources for communities, investors, and entrepreneursPolicy, finance, and entrepreneur support leaders from across TennesseeAgenda HighlightsMain Street revitalization through food & beverageRestaurant recruitment and site selectionCommunity policy, zoning, and incentive toolsMarkets, festivals, and event-based activationFunding strategies for startups and expansionsBuilding community-based entrepreneur support systemsNetworking brunch and Tennessee Brewers Association Happy Hour (after the event!) - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/cookeville/building-vibrant-foodandbeverage-economies-in-tn-main-street-|-cookeville-tn/100001977978325417 - **Event Categories**: business, conferences, festivals, pop-ups, brunch - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Cookeville - **state**: TN - **country**: United States - **location**: The Biz Foundry - **lat**: 36.1659787 - **long**: -85.50776069999999 - **full address**: The Biz Foundry, 114 North Cedar Avenue, Cookeville, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/ffc58cbcd1f658232df54f1ef50573d0fe7e7866dfc72e4fc8c560118867278f-rimg-w1200-h675-dc48342b-gmir.jpg?v=1766279521 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN being held? - **A:** Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN takes place on Wed, 21 Jan, 2026 at 11:00 am to Wed, 21 Jan, 2026 at 04:00 pm at The Biz Foundry, 114 North Cedar Avenue, Cookeville, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN? - **A:** Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN is organized by Proof Bar and Incubator. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Cookeville, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Building Vibrant Food&Beverage Economies in TN Main Street | Cookeville TN", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/ffc58cbcd1f658232df54f1ef50573d0fe7e7866dfc72e4fc8c560118867278f-rimg-w1200-h675-dc48342b-gmir.jpg?v=1766279521", "startDate": "2026-01-21", "endDate": "2026-01-21", "url": "https://allevents.in/cookeville/building-vibrant-foodandbeverage-economies-in-tn-main-street-|-cookeville-tn/100001977978325417", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "The Biz Foundry", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "114 North Cedar Avenue", "postalCode": "38501", "addressLocality": "Cookeville", "addressRegion": "TN", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "36.1659787", "longitude": "-85.50776069999999" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Presented by Proof: A One-Day Regional Economic Development Conference\nHosted by Proof Programs, in partnership with TN Main Street & TNECD", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-11", "availabilityEnds": "2026-01-21", "validFrom": "2026-04-11", "lowPrice": "0.00", "highPrice": "0.00", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/cookeville/building-vibrant-foodandbeverage-economies-in-tn-main-street-|-cookeville-tn/100001977978325417" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-11", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-11", "url": "https://allevents.in/cookeville/building-vibrant-foodandbeverage-economies-in-tn-main-street-|-cookeville-tn/100001977978325417", "price": 0, "name": "General Admission" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Proof Bar and Incubator", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/proof-bar-and-incubator/18531343" } ] } ] ```