Register for the webinar series
Join us for the 2025 CEC Monthly Exchange Webinar Series, a webinar series dedicated to showcasing the power of collaboration in rural Missouri communities. In 2025, we spotlight successful stories of collaboration that are driving innovation, strengthening connections, and creating lasting impact in our small towns and rural regions.
Attendees will hear real stories with real impact directly from community leaders, organizations, and individuals who have successfully worked together to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. At the end of each webinar, we leave time for Q&A sessions with speakers and peers to exchange ideas and build networks.
Whether you're an economic development or nonprofit professional, local official, business owner, or simply passionate about rural development, the CEC Monthly Exchange Webinar Series is your go-to for inspiration, learning, and connection.
Series info
September 5 - Statewide Collaboration to Improve Local Food Systems
The Missouri Rural Food Access Partnership is bringing together partners from across the state to strengthen healthy food access in rural communities through the development of an equity-focused, statewide Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI). By collaborating statewide and engaging local communities through Missouri EATS, supply chain development, and tailored technical assistance, the program supports community-driven food retail and enterprise projects that improve local food systems, resilience, and nutrition security. In this webinar, you will learn how they are working together across Missouri to create a statewide infrastructure to improve local food systems. Panelists to include:
- Amanda Berry - Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri
- Bill McKelvey Jr. - Senior Project Coordinator, University of Missouri
- Luke Dietterle - Extension Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
- Steven Westbrooks - Executive Director, IFF
- Melissa Vatterott - Policy and Strategy Director, Missouri Coalition for the Environment
October 1 - Using Strategic Doing to Transform the Early Child Care Landscape (Livestream from the 2025 CEC Conference)
Join us for this sneak peek into one of the sessions at the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference in Excelsior Springs. We will Zoom in to learn how childcare partners collaborated and used the Strategic Doing process to unite providers, educators, and families in tackling Missouri’s early childcare crisis. Discover how their collaborative, innovative approach is building a stronger early childhood workforce and how these strategies can be adapted to strengthen childcare systems in other communities. A separate registration for this webinar is required.
November 1 - Local Leadership Programs Lead to Successful Community Collaborations
Join us for a conversation with staff from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, along with volunteers and alumni from their locally led leadership programs, as they share how participation has inspired innovative, community-wide projects that drive development and entrepreneurship. Hear real examples of how cultivating leaders creates lasting impact, sparks collaboration, and fuels economic growth in their communities.
December 6 – To Be Announced Soon