WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Registration and breakfast —  7-9 a.m. 

Welcome and opening remarks — 9 a.m. 
Breyana Ray, director of the Rural Innovation Network, Center on Rural Innovation

Introduction — 9:30 a.m.
Center on Rural Innovation Founder and Executive Director Matt Dunne

Keynote — 10 a.m.
Keynote address by Craig Buerstatte, deputy assistant secretary for regional affairs, U.S. Economic Development Administration 

• Craig Buerstatte is an entrepreneurial public servant who is passionate about building teams, businesses, and communities for the future. He first honed his innovation skills in remote areas of Iraq as an Army officer, developing new supply chain solutions and infrastructure when resources were strained. Craig leveraged this experience to jump into entrepreneurship, founding a technology firm and investing in startups in Austin, Texas, before returning to public service at the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Craig serves as EDA’s deputy assistant secretary for regional affairs, responsible for the implementation, growth, and evaluation of EDA’s economic development programs and policies that create more robust and resilient regional economies across America. He earned a B.S. in economics from the United States Military Academy, and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Session 1 — 10:30 a.m.
Fireside chat with Mary Grove 

• Join us for an inspiring fireside chat with Mary Grove, managing partner of Bread and Butter Ventures, as she shares her journey, expertise and approach on investing in early stage startups. With a keen focus on unlocking talent in unexpected areas, she will share insights into the challenges and barriers she has encountered highlighting her belief that innovation knows no boundaries. 

Break — 11:15 a.m.

Session 2 —  11:30 a.m. 
The Rural Aperture Project: Part I

• The Rural Aperture Project provides insight to help equip stakeholders with data visualizations, analysis, and narratives to enhance their understanding and support for rural prosperity and equity initiatives. It highlights the diversity within rural America, challenges stereotypes, and emphasizes the impact of broader economic shifts on rural communities, while also showcasing examples of progress in addressing the barriers rural communities face. In the first part of this two-part session, CORI Director of Research, Knowledge, and Evaluation Dr. Amanda Weinstein will present a deep dive into how different definitions of rural paint vastly different pictures of rural America with implications for how rural areas are funded and how stories about rural are told.

Lunch — 12:30 p.m.

Session 3 — 1:30 p.m.
The Rural Aperture Project: Part II

• In the second half of this two-part session, Dr. Weinstein will present how shifts in economic headwinds have affected rural towns and what some places are doing to refocus efforts to unlock access to economic opportunity within their hometowns.

Session 4 — 2:30 p.m.
Overcoming barriers to tech talent pipeline success with cross-sector collaboration

• In the rapidly evolving landscape of technological innovation, the cultivation of tech talent is critical for community prosperity. This panel discussion aims to shed light on the essential role of cross-sector collaboration in overcoming the challenges to tech talent pipeline success, featuring insights from Brittany Corde, senior program officer for Ascendium; Rose Reza, executive director for UNM-Taos HIVE; and Mignonne Hollis, executive director, and Sarah Pacheco, assistant economic development director, of the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation. By drawing on first-hand experiences along with learnings from communities, the session will highlight the unique obstacles these communities face, showcase successful strategies for collaboration across educational institutions, local government, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, and provide actionable insights for others seeking to replicate this success.

Session 5 — 3:30 p.m.
Dirigo Labs: Startup Accelerator 

• Join us as we delve into the dynamic world of Rural Innovation Network member Dirigo Labs in Waterville, Maine, a collaborative nexus for startups navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. We will explore the transformative impact of this vital accelerator and how it empowers new founders to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and achieve their goals.
  

Self-guided tour

• Immerse yourself into the character and charm of downtown Red Wing with a self-guided walking tour showcasing its rich heritage and eclectic mix of shops and historic buildings. Visit the Red Wing Shoe Company Museum and meander through the residential streets to admire the city's architectural gems.  

Dinner on your own

THURSDAY, MAY 9

Breakfast and networking — 8 a.m.

Welcome — 9 a.m. 

Session 1 — 9:05 a.m.
Building regional collaboratives

• Join Stacy Nimmo, executive director of Red Wing Ignite, along with Tim Penny, president and CEO, and Pam Bishop, vice president of entrepreneurship, of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, as they provide a comprehensive overview of the development and evolution of the Entrepreneurs First (E-1) Collaborative across 11 counties in southeastern Minnesota. Learn how this collaborative initiative has evolved over the years to become a cornerstone of economic development in the region.

Session 2 — 9:50 a.m.
A rural entrepreneur's journey from idea to impact

• In this panel discussion, seasoned rural tech entrepreneurs share their journeys from ideation to impactful ventures. We’ll delve into the origin story of their startups, the hurdles they faced, and the lessons they learned along the way. Discover how community support played a pivotal role in their growth, and gain actionable insights into navigating the unique challenges of rural entrepreneurship. Join us for a lively discussion that celebrates the ingenuity, resilience, and transformative potential of rural tech entrepreneurship.

Break, 10:30 a.m.

Session 3 — 10:45 a.m.
The power of rural innovation

• Experience a dynamic session led by Chris Carnell, co-founder of Codefi in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the first technology incubator in the southeast region of Missouri. During this presentation, Chris will unveil inspiring anecdotes illustrating the importance of embracing technology, nurturing tech entrepreneurship, and fostering innovation to mold economic strategies tailored to rural communities. His stories will vividly demonstrate the potential unleashed when rural talent is prioritized.

Session 4 — 11:45
Charting paths to rural success

• Join us for an enlightening session led by Chris Estes, co-executive director of the Aspen Institute and a national rural development leader. Chris brings a wealth of experience and expertise in fostering equitable, sustainable, and holistic approaches to strengthening rural communities. In this session, Chris will provide an overview of pressing issues facing rural communities and address the question of how we measure success and assess our impact in rural development initiatives.   

Closing remarks — 12:30 p.m.

What is the schedule? 

• We anticipate that the full schedule will be available mid-March. 

What should we wear? 

• Attire is business casual.

Will food be provided? What should we plan on for meals? 

• Breakfast will be provided each day.
• We will also provide lunch on the first day.

Where will the events take place?

• The Conference will take place at the St. James Hotel.

Where is the St. James Hotel?

• Hotel address: 406 Main St., Red Wing, MN 55066
• Check-in: After 4 p.m.
• Check-out: Before 11 a.m.
• Please note, this historic hotel sits along the beautiful Mississippi river but is also along a working train line. Ear plugs are available at the front desk, upon request. 

Do we have to stay at the hotel?

• No — you can certainly stay wherever you would like. The discounted rate at the hotel is only available until April 4th.
• Also note: The discount code should generate at the link listed above (and here) but just in case, you can add 5968 to the group code field when you select a room.

What dates can be booked?

• The discounted rate is applicable May 5 through May 10.

What information can you share about transportation?

• The nearest airport is Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which is located approximately 50 miles from Red Wing.  
• Amtrak also has a station located behind the hotel. This would be a great scenic route if available from your area!

What is the cost of the conference?

• Tickets are $150 each.
• A limited number of tickets will be available.