CEC Conference 2026
2026 Theme: Show-Me Momentum - From Main Street to Farm Gate
September 15-17, 2026 | Maryville, Missouri
Step into a community where momentum is more than a word—it’s something you can feel, build, and carry home with you.
The 2026 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference invites you to experience the power of rural innovation in action. Set in the vibrant and welcoming community of Maryville, this year’s conference brings together entrepreneurs, community leaders, and changemakers who are shaping the future of rural economies—from historic Main Streets to thriving agricultural enterprises—all within a connected and evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Imagine learning directly from those doing the work - local entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and statewide specialists - who are transforming challenges into opportunities every day. At CEC, you won’t just hear ideas—you’ll see them, experience them, and walk away ready to apply them within your own community ecosystem.
Participants will:
- Engage in in-depth workshops and dynamic breakout sessions designed to provide practical, real-world tools
- Explore Maryville’s energized downtown district, where community and commerce intersect
- Discover innovative approaches that strengthen connections across business, agriculture, workforce, and community systems
- Build meaningful relationships that enhance the networks driving local and regional success
Whether your work touches one part of the system or spans many, your role contributes to the strength of your community’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What You’ll Gain
Entrepreneurial communities don’t happen by accident—they are built through intentional collaboration, shared vision, and strategic action across an interconnected ecosystem.
At CEC, you’ll gain:
- Fresh perspectives on rural economic development and long-term sustainability
- Actionable strategies to support and grow businesses across sectors—from startups to farm-based enterprises
- Tools to strengthen the relationships, resources, and systems that fuel entrepreneurship
Inspiration to turn ideas into coordinated, ecosystem-wide impact
Be Part of the Momentum
This is more than a conference—it’s a catalyst.
Join University of Missouri Extension for an immersive experience that invites you to take a holistic look at your entire entrepreneurial ecosystem—from Main Street to farm gate and everywhere in between. Together, we’ll explore how businesses, agriculture, workforce, infrastructure, and community leadership intersect to create sustainable growth and opportunity.
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to connect the pieces, align your efforts, and move forward with intention—not just with ideas, but with a shared vision for what’s possible in your community.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of something bigger.
Your ideas matter. Your work matters. And your presence will help shape what’s next.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Maryville this September.
Registration Information
Now is the time to invest in your community—and your role within it.
- Early Bird Registration: April 24 – June 30, 2026 | $200
- Regular Registration: July 1 – September 7, 2026 | $225
Secure your place and join a growing network of leaders committed to strengthening Missouri’s entrepreneurial ecosystems.
