Top Opportunity Nominations are due by May 21, 2010.

We’re getting lots of registrants but Frank tells me to expect them to really start avalanching as we close in on the deadline since people tend to register late (not sure why this is but he tells me it what happens every year). Also we’re running our Main Street Institute at the same time, which we hopes makes things easier for our Main Street Programs even though it’s just a little bit more crazy-making for us.

Laurie, who keeps everything running smoothly here and at Greater Ohio (with whom we share office space), has worked her tail off setting up a zillion and one registration options to try and accomodate everyone’s needs. It adds to our confusion by a bit but again, we’re working to try to make it easier for y’all.

I’m excited about the conference not just because it’s going to be fun to meet all the folks I haven’t yet and not just because of the stellar speaker roster we’ve lined up but also to see all of our work come to fruition. The conference is also when we hand out our Heritage Ohio awards for Preservation Hero and Main Street Program of the year (among others) and it’s when we announce our Top Opportunities. Frank handed out the award packets for our board already and I’m in the process of formatting the Top Opportunities nominations for our reviewers and I’m looking forward to seeing the results.

I hope we’ll see you in Cleveland! It’s going to be a terrific time for networking and learning and just connecting with other people who care about economic revitalization and historic preservation.

• PRESERVATION HERO
  Recognizing the efforts of an individual, organization or group of people who have furthered the cause of preservation in Ohio.
• BEST COMMERCIAL REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENT
  Given to one or more individuals, tenants or building owners who have completed the best storefront, interior and/or total building improvement project based on proper preservation techniques.
• BEST RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENT
  Presented to one or more individuals, tenants or homeowners who have completed the best exterior and/or interior single or multi-family residential projects based on proper preservation techniques.
• BEST PROMOTION EVENT
  Recognizing an organization that has shown excellence in the planning and staging of a community promotional event (such as a festivals, retail events, etc.) or who has displayed prodigious creativity in producing a marketing program (such as a web site, newsletter, brochure, etc.).
• MOST CREATIVE FUNDRAISING EFFORT
  Presented to an organization for their success in implementing an inspired project to raise funds for revitalization and/or preservation.
• SPIRIT OF MAIN STREET
  Given to a board member, staff member, organization or group of people from an official Heritage Ohio Main Street Program who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to furthering downtown revitalization in their community.
• MAIN STREET MANAGER OF THE YEAR
  Presented to the manager of an official Heritage Ohio Main Street Program, who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the revitalization and preservation efforts in his or her community.
• MAIN STREET BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
  Honoring a local business in an official Heritage Ohio Main Street Program that has demonstrated exemplary commitment to revitalization and preservation efforts.

Nominations will be accepted until 5pm March 27th. Winners will be announced at the Awards Luncheon at Heritage Ohio’s Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference on May 7th in Cleveland, OH. Download your nomination packet today! Questions? Hit us up!

P.S. Tell your friends!