Registration Open!
Get ready to rock in Ames for the 2025 Rural Summit on April 10-11 at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center! This year’s theme, “Rural Rocks! Energizing Communities through Connections,” promises two dynamic days of inspiration, learning, and collaboration.
Highlights from the Agenda
Pre-Conference Opportunities (April 9):
- Collaborative Housing Symposium: Foundation for a Stronger Iowa – Hosted by ISU Extension & Outreach (separate registration required)
- Resource Connections Forum
- Welcome Reception with live music
Day 1 (April 10):
- Keynote by Kiley Miller: Rolling to Where It’s Rocking: A Rural Road Trip
- Breakout sessions covering everything from outdoor recreation and regional partnerships, to the next generation of leadership and disaster preparedness
- Musical Tour Around the State over lunch
- Rand Fisher Rural Leadership Awards & live music reception by the Ramsey Family
- Evening Iowa-themed trivia for networking fun
Day 2 (April 11):
- Keynote by Dave Williams: “We Can Work it Out: Navigating Civil Discourse”
- Rapid-fire session with 45 actionable ideas in 45 minutes
- Closing discussion featuring Debi Durham on “Driving Growth: Rural Opportunities and Challenges”
Why Attend?
- Build connections with rural leaders and advocates.
- Explore topics like economic development, housing, workforce, and placemaking.
- Celebrate successes and learn from challenges.
- Take home actionable ideas and resources for your community.
Back Again is this Special Offer: Bring a team of 3 from your rural community to save with a combined rate. Collaborate, strategize, and energize together!
Join the conversation and share your Rural Summit experience by using the hashtag #RuralRocks2025! Let’s amplify the energy, ideas, and inspiration for Iowa’s rural communities!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring the Iowa Rural Development Council, with a variety of event benefits? Check out the options here and contact Liesl Seabert for more information (Liesl.Seabert@uni.edu)
Summit Highlights from Iowa Rural Summit 2024
- Elite Leadership in Small Towns
- Ag & Ag Tech: Driving Rural Innovation
- Complex Strategies: A Deep Dive for Summit Vets
- Inaugural Population Cohort Conversations
- “We’ll Do it Ourselves” Making Things Happen on Your Own
Gateway Hotel and Conference Center
A memorable experience awaits you at Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University! You’ll find us in the heart of Ames, Iowa – an easy walk from the campus of ISU and just 30 miles from downtown Des Moines. As one of the few full-service hotels in the city (and home to the largest conference center), we provide a modern, welcoming destination for work or play.
To register for the Gateway Hotel's Iowa Rural Summit room block use the link above or call 515-292-8600 and say you are affiliated with the Iowa Rural Development Council.
