News

  • Need More Information?

    We are here to help. Contact us today to see how we can help your rural community.

Back to

Registration Opens for 2020 Iowa Rural Summit

February 7, 2020

For Immediate Release

Contact: Bill Menner, 641-990-4757

 

 

Registration Opens for 2020 Iowa Rural Summit

Gathering to Focus on Small-Town Challenges, Opportunities

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – Registration opens January 20th for the fourth annual Iowa Rural Summit, to be held April 29-May 1 at the Hotel Kirkwood on the campus of Kirkwood Community College.  Last year’s gathering of leaders from rural communities from across the state drew a crowd of almost 400 to the Hotel Grinnell.

 

The cost to register a three-person team is $210 and can be done at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kirkwood-iowa-rural-development-summit-communities-registration-93323983547.

 

Sponsors, exhibitors and resource providers can register individually at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-iowa-rural-development-summit-council-members-tickets-77551752379.

 

The Summit is sponsored by the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC), a public-private state non-profit that works to support small towns addressing issues such as housing, broadband access, business development and leadership.

 

“We are excited about partnering with a community college for the 2020 Summit,” said IRDC Chair Sandy Ehrig.  “Community colleges across Iowa are key partners for rural communities, small and large businesses, and our next generation of workers.  Kirkwood will give us a venue to see this work first-hand.”

 

The 2020 Rural Summit will feature keynote addresses from two well-known Iowa speakers.  Brooklyn, Iowa, native Steve Siemens will talk about rural collaboration and strategies for building rural partnerships.  Atlantic-native David Williamson is a professional artist and poet.  An inductee into the Iowa Rock’n Roll Hall of Fame after 50+ years of songwriting and performing, he will discuss art, creativity and community engagement.

 

“Steve and David provide great bookends to the Summit,” Ehrig said.  “But in between we will have sessions on issues ranging from community visioning to encouraging ag tech to accessing new funding programs.  Our break-out session tracks are Facilities and Projects, Critical Issues and Facing the Future – and the content will be of use to anyone who lives in rural Iowa.”

 

As has been the case with the previous three Summits, communities will be asked to bring a three-person team since that approach has helped generate consensus and momentum for those places that were represented.

 

For more information, contact director@iowardc.org.

 

 

 

-30-

Filed under: