2025 Destination Downtown

The 2025 Destination Downtown conference will be held on September 10-12, 2025, in downtown El Dorado, Arkansas, a 2009 Great American Main Street Award winner. A partnership between Main Street Arkansas, Louisiana Main Street and the Mississippi Main Street Association, Destination Downtown is the South’s premier downtown revitalization conference.

The conference attracts Main Street executive directors, board members, city officials, merchants, property owners and others who gather to share ideas on building sustainable downtown communities. Held annually for more than 25 years, the conference rotates among the three states and local Main Street communities where it is hosted each year.

Destination Downtown is open to anyone with an interest in the economic revitalization of historic downtown commercial districts and is designed so that attendees learn from their colleagues as well as from experts in the field.

This year, we’re excited to partner with our friends at Preserve Arkansas to host a preservation track during the conference. A detailed conference itinerary will be forthcoming.

Registration Information

• Early Bird Registration $175: Deadline August 1, 2025
• Regular Registration $200: Deadline September 1, 2025
• Late Registration After September 1: $225
• For Elected Municipal Officials: $100

Please note that no registration refunds will be issued after September 1.

After Hours Registration: $50
For guests who will only be attending after-hours events (Opening Reception and Denim and Diamonds Party)

Main Street 101 Workshop $25.00
Are you a new Main Street Director or Board Member? Or perhaps you just need a refresher? Is your community interested in Main Street, and you want to learn more? Don’t miss this informative and introductory workshop to the world of Main Street led by Lisa Thompson, senior program officer for Revitalization Services with Main Street America. The workshop will be held at the El Dorado Conference Center. $25 per person. Box lunch included.

Historic Downtown Walking Tour
Eighteen-stop downtown walking tour discussing the architecture and history of Downtown El Dorado. Presented by The Gallery of History. (2 hours, Limited to 25 participants)

Murphy Arts District Tour
Tour of the Murphy Arts District and key features of the Main Street El Dorado District, including public art, facade improvements, collaborations and branding. Presented by the Murphy Arts District featuring CEO and President Pam Griffin and Beth Brumley, former director of Main Street El Dorado. (2 hours, Limited to 25 participants)

Window Workshop
In this workshop, participants will learn how double-hung wood windows work, their assembly and disassembly, part names, common problems and their solutions. The session will also cover energy efficiency improvements to encourage saving these character-defining features rather than replacing them. The session will include a PowerPoint presentation and hands-on elements, featuring a full-sized double-hung demonstration window that can be disassembled. (Limited to 25 participants)

More Information:

Conference Headquarters:
El Dorado Conference Center, 311 S. West Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730. Information about the conference center HERE

Conference Hotels:
The Haywood, 210 S. Washington Avenue The Haywood El Dorado Tapestry Collection by Hilton; Booking link HERE.

Fairfield Inn and Suites, 1800 NW Avenue Downtown El Dorado Hotel in Arkansas | Fairfield Inn & Suites El Dorado; Booking link HERE.

Candlewood Suites, 2210 Junction City Road Hotels in El Dorado Arkansas | Candlewood Suites El Dorado; Booking link HERE.

Hampton Inn and Suites, 2312 Junction City Road Hampton Inn El Dorado, AR - Hotels in Arkansas; Booking link HERE.

Union Square Guest Quarters, 234 E. Main Street About Our Hotel - Union Square Guest Quarters; Call 870-866-6999 for conference rates and room availability

Also check out other Business events in El Dorado, Conferences in El Dorado, Workshops in El Dorado.