Calling all rural communities in Missouri!

Do you want to showcase your town's entrepreneurial spirit to leaders from across the state? Here's your chance! We're excited to announce that applications are now open to host the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, scheduled for September 16-18, 2025.

Hosting the award-winning and prestigious MU Extension CEC Conference is a fantastic economic opportunity for your rural community. The conference will shine a spotlight on your community's innovative initiatives while contributing to the growth of rural entrepreneurship in Missouri. Whether you're a small town with big ideas or a thriving rural hub, we want to hear from you!

Applications to host the 2026 Conference will open in 2025.