By Jamie Bright, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Economic development professionals, community leaders, entrepreneurs and rural residents will gather in Tekamah, Burt County, Nebraska on April 29-30 for the eighth annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, hosted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Rural Prosperity Nebraska initiative.
CEC offers hands-on learning experiences designed to strengthen local economies and inspire rural innovation through entrepreneurship. This year’s theme, “The Future is Local,” highlights the economic and social impact that collaboration within communities can have not only on the community itself but also on Nebraska as a whole.
Coined as Nebraska’s only “walking conference,” the more than 20 interactive sessions take place inside locally owned businesses, letting attendees see first-hand how entrepreneurship fuels community development and gain valuable insights into workforce development and small business support. By immersing participants in the county’s business ecosystem, the conference fosters meaningful connections for those invested in community development.
“This year’s conference is a little different because an entire county is hosting rather than a single community,” said Ben Dutton, the Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension educator leading this year’s conference. “This format will highlight that entrepreneurship isn’t limited to one business or even one city, but when one of us succeeds, there’s a ripple effect that impacts our neighbors and their neighbors, until we see the entire state thriving.”
Experts from across the country will lead this year’s interactive sessions, as well as Nebraska entrepreneurs and community leaders, all sharing innovative strategies and real-world solutions for fostering economic vitality. Topics will include asset mapping, creative districts, marketing, artificial intelligence, business transitions, leadership and sharing your community’s story.
Beyond the sessions, Burt County is also hosting an immersion tour of the county, a farm-to-table dinner hosted by a local restaurant and a block party to showcase the local talent and creativity of Tekamah’s downtown entrepreneurs.
The conference is open to economic developers, chamber of commerce members, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, business owners, educators and anyone else committed to strengthening their local community.
Register today at the CEC Conference website https://go.unl.edu/0zj5