This webpage is under construction as we update the information for the 2026 CEC Conference. Please return March 1, 2026 for complete and up-to-date details.
Conference Details
"The Future is Local"
April 29-30, 2026
Conference Home:
The Carson Civic Center
1315 K St.
Tekamah, NE 68061
Registration: $195
Register here or in person at the conference.
Lodging:
Visit the Burt County Tourism website for lodging options.
"THE FUTURE IS LOCAL"
Burt County, Nebraska
April 29-30, 2026
Community development professionals from across the country are gathering in Burt County, Nebraska, April 29–30 for the 8th annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference. Hosted by Rural Prosperity Nebraska, this one-of-a-kind “walking conference” brings learning out of the conference room and into nearly 30 locally owned businesses, offering an up-close look at rural entrepreneurship in action. Sessions will explore topics ranging from workforce development to local food systems, with practical ideas communities can put to work right away. Along with meaningful networking and hands-on experiences, attendees will leave with fresh perspectives and real-world insights to support community growth across rural Nebraska.
See below for the 2026 conference schedule.
See Speaker Page for full listing of speakers.
REGISTER HERE
Additional Opportunity: SourceLink Nebraska Business Connect
SourceLink Nebraska will offer open office hours during the conference to provide personalized, one-on-one resource coaching for entrepreneurs and business owners. This year’s theme, "The Future is Local," highlights the power of collaborating within our own communities to build strong, thriving networks that span across Nebraska.
During the CEC Conference, stop by our open office hours to connect with Nebraska’s entrepreneurial support network and explore customized resources for launching, growing, or expanding your business.
You do not have to be a conference participant to access SourceLink Nebraska’s open office hours.
Schedule
SCHEDULE
(Map of Session Locations Coming Soon)
Wednesday, April 29
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Wed Opener
11:45 am - 12:50 pm
WELCOME TO CEC
Welcome to CEC 2026: Ben Dutton, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Welcome to Burt County: Cindy Chatt, Burt County Director of Economic Development
Keynote Presentation: Graham Christensen
The RegeNErate Nebraska Project: Building Nebraska's Communities from the Soil Up
TBA
Photo
12:50 pm - 1:00 pm
Break
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
WALKING BREAK
Wed Session 1
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Breakout Session 1
The RegeNErate Nebraska Project: Building Nebraska's Communities from the Soil Up
Graham Christensen
Christensen Farms, GC Resolve, GC REVOLT
Community Development Through Asset Mapping
Becky Boesen
Nebraska Community Foundation
Community Ownership, Community Care: Lessons from Butte's Nursing Home
Britanie Brewster
Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District
Community-centered Enterprises
Charlotte Narjes
Nebraska Extension
Creative Districts: Voices from the Field
Rachel Morgan
Nebraska Arts Council & Certified Creative Districts
Break
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
WALKING BREAK
Session 2
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Breakout Session 2
How to Effectively Use the Passport Program
Kristin Malek
Nebraska Extension
Powering Rural Prosperity: Building Resilient Energy for Growth
Dustin Marvel & John Kelly
Omaha Public Power District
Smart AI for Small Businesses
Kirstin Bailey
Staying Profitable in Rural Communities
Doris Lux
Paint the Town ... Creative!
Rachel Morgan
Nebraska Arts Council & Certified Creative Districts
Break
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
WALKING BREAK
Session 3
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Breakout Session 3
AI in Business Planning
Benjamin Benton
Small Business Development Center
Business Transitions
Jason Tuller
Nebraska Extension
Roots to River
Michael Anderson
Break
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
WALKING BREAK
Wed Networking
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
NETWORKING EVENT, CASH BAR, & HEAVY HORS d'OEUVRES
Join us for drinks, appetizers, and a chance to network with peers.
Thursday, April 30
8:00 am - 9:00 am
WELCOME TO DAY 2
The Carson Civic Center
1315 K St., Tekamah
Morning Welcome: Ben Dutton
Keynote Presentation
Break
9:00 am - 9:15 am
WALKING BREAK
Session 4
9:15 am - 10:15 am
Breakout Session 4
Events for Economic Development
Kristin Malek
Nebraska Extension
From Kitchen Tables to Main Street: Why the Smallest Businesses Matter Most
Marci Goodwin
SmartStart
Bringing Play Back into Work
Hayley Jackson Perez
Storytelling
Heather Akin
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Break
10:15 am - 10:45 am
WALKING BREAK
Session 5
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Breakout Session 5
Franchising in Rural Communities
Blake Martin
Frannet of the Heartland
Mapping the Hidden Network: Making Local Entrepreneurship Support More Visible
Marci Goodwin
SmartStart
Legal Landmines & Lifelines: What Rural Businesses and Nonprofits Need to Know
Brett Stohs
University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law
Break
11:45 am - 12:00 pm
WALKING BREAK
Conclusion
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Conference Conclusion
The Carson Civic Center
1315 K St., Tekamah
Lunch
Keynote Presentation
Wrap-up: Ben Dutton