Maryville to host 2026 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference

MARYVILLE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will host its 2026 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference in Maryville, Sept. 15-17.

The CEC Conference brings together practitioners and leaders focused on rural entrepreneurship and economic development. The 2026 conference theme, “Show Me MOmentum: From Main Street to Farm Gate,” will explore how communities link downtown businesses, workforce development and agriculture-based innovation to support local and regional economies, said CEC Conference co-chair Ashley Allen-Brown, an MU Extension regional economic development specialist.

The conference is designed as an immersive, place-based experience, with sessions and activities embedded in the host community, Allen-Brown said. Participants engage with local entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations while learning about strategies rural communities use to strengthen economic resilience and attract investment.

A rural community showcase with statewide impact

The CEC Conference brings together economic developers, entrepreneurs, elected officials, educators, nonprofit leaders, lenders and regional partners from across Missouri and beyond, Allen-Brown said. Attendees share a common interest in building entrepreneurial capacity and supporting long-term economic vitality in rural communities.

By hosting the conference, Maryville and Nodaway County will have the opportunity to highlight local assets and partnerships to a statewide audience and to share how communities in northwestern Missouri support business development, workforce growth and quality of life, she said.

Why Maryville?

“Maryville has been home to me in the past, so it is exciting to welcome the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference to a community that shaped both my personal life and professional career,” said Jackie Spainhower, MU Extension community development specialist in Nodaway County. “The city of Maryville and Nodaway County have a strong foundation built on cross-sector relationships, entrepreneurial thinking and long-standing partnerships.”

Spainhower said hosting the conference will allow the community to show how local institutions and entrepreneurs contribute to economic development across northwest Missouri and the state.

DeAnn Davison, Maryville director of tourism and host community chair for the conference, said the event will invite visitors to experience the community firsthand.

“With ongoing investment in our buildings, new ventures and infrastructure, our progress is rooted in strong partnerships and a deep sense of community pride,” Davison said. “We look forward to sharing Maryville’s story and welcoming others to learn from our experience.”

Conference organizers note that the 2026 theme reflects the region’s role in Missouri’s rural economy, including the importance of agriculture, regional collaboration, workforce development and transportation access in supporting both farm-based and non-farm enterprises.

CEC conference supports year-round learning

The CEC Conference is the flagship event of MU Extension’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities initiative, which also includes year-round education and networking opportunities. MU Extension hosts a quarterly CEC webinar series featuring practitioners and researchers sharing practical approaches to rural entrepreneurship and economic development.

“CEC is more than a conference; it’s a way for rural communities to learn from one another and see what’s working on the ground,” Allen-Brown said. “When we gather in a host community like Maryville, participants can observe real-world examples of rural innovation and collaboration.”

Together, the conference and webinar series aim to help communities strengthen networks, policies and resources that support entrepreneurship and local economic growth, she said.

Additional details, including registration information, agenda highlights, hotel accommodations and sponsorship opportunities, will be announced in the coming months.