Perryville to host 2027 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2027 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference will bring entrepreneurs, small-business owners, community leaders and economic development professionals from across Missouri to Perryville in southeastern Missouri.

Held in a different Missouri community each year, the CEC Conference transforms downtowns, storefronts and other local gathering places into venues for learning and collaboration, said Ashley Allen-Brown, CEC Conference lead organizer for University of Missouri Extension.

Organized by MU Extension in partnership with the host city, the annual conference connects local leaders and business owners with practical ideas, successful models and peers facing similar challenges, Allen-Brown said.

In Perryville, the conference’s impact will extend well beyond the event itself, she said. New programming will connect local entrepreneurs, businesses, community organizations and young people with resources designed to support long-term economic development before and after the conference:

Homegrown Entrepreneurship helps entrepreneurs and the organizations that support them identify strengths, gaps and opportunities within the local business ecosystem. About 25 entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial support organizations are expected to participate, building connections and strategies to aid both startups and established businesses.

Red Carpet Service assists communities looking to strengthen customer service, tourism readiness and local hospitality. The training is expected to reach 40-50 front-line employees and volunteers, helping them better showcase community assets and create positive experiences for visitors and customers.

A third initiative, the CEC Future Founders Market, will give young business owners the opportunity to work with local mentors and showcase their products and ideas during the conference. The program is expected to feature 15-25 youth-owned businesses and help cultivate the next generation of rural entrepreneurs.

The expanded programming is supported by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant awarded to MU Extension. “This USDA investment allows us to pair a high-impact conference with practical, community-based programming that can continue making a difference long after the conference ends,” said Allen-Brown.

“Rural communities are full of entrepreneurs, ideas and people who are deeply invested in seeing their communities thrive,” she said. “The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference is about bringing those people together, sharing what works and creating connections that can turn good ideas into lasting economic opportunity.”

Conference participants explore strategies for supporting entrepreneurs, revitalizing downtowns, strengthening local economies and building communities where businesses can grow and thrive, she added. Perryville businesses and organizations will have opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs, community leaders and economic development professionals from throughout Missouri.

“Our town is built on the hard work, creativity and the collaborative spirit of small businesses, and we can’t wait to open our doors, share our story and learn alongside leaders who are just as passionate about driving local innovation,” said Trish Erzfeld, director of Perry County Heritage Tourism.

Perryville city administrator Brent Buerck said, “Perryville has been very active in learning from our friends and neighbors, and having the opportunity to host the CEC conference presents an opportunity to share some of the great things that are going on in Perryville with others.”

Learn more about MU Extension’s CEC program.

More information about the 2027 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference will be announced as planning progresses.