Downtown group meeting in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE - Nearly 200 people from around the state are in Gainesville for the Georgia Downtown Association conference which began Sunday. Main Street Gainesville is hosting the meeting. The theme of this year&#39;s get together is &#34;Downtown - The Ultimate Survivor.&#34; <br> <br> The conferees will participate in 30 different sessions dealing with subjects such as Surviving Streetscapes; Financing the Impossible Project; and, Housing as Economic Development. Most sessions will be held at the Georgia Mountains Center although some outside tours and &#34;hands-on&#34; demonstractions will take place.<br> <br> Attendees will be treated to a &#34;Survivor Trek&#34; through the Rock Creek Greenway in downtown Gainesville, complete with games, food and music. A visit from Georgia&#39;s own &#34;survivor&#34; from the Survivor III television reality show, Judge Pascal English of Thomaston, will highlight the evening.