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Cultivating the future of local entrepreneurship
Cultivating the future of local entrepreneurship
The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference brings together community champions, entrepreneurship enablers, economic development professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to build the supportive networks that help entrepreneurs succeed.
Through two days of keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking activities, the CEC conference:
Showcases tools and resources available to support entrepreneurs across the state.
Provides communities across the state with opportunities to learn from one another and share effective strategies for supporting local entrepreneurs.
Connects Minnesota’s regional networks with additional state and national resources to expand the pool of support available.
Who should attend? Local leaders and teams who are working to improve entrepreneurship support in their community. This includes business leaders, entrepreneurs, economic development professionals, decision-makers, and community champions who are passionate about supporting their entrepreneurial community. We encourage communities to recruit and send teams to the conference. We have learned that sustaining the enthusiasm gained from this event will be easier to maintain if there are several key people in the community with this mindset, rather than just one person.
2026 Conference Breakout Tracks
2026 Conference Breakout Tracks
Entrepreneur Resources | Supporting the lifecycle of a business requires the right tools at the right time. This track explores resources for sustainable growth, from helping founders gain clarity on their brand to navigating non-traditional financing when standard options aren't a fit. We will look at practical efficiencies, such as using AI tools to manage operational load, and address a critical piece of the ecosystem: founder health and burnout prevention. These sessions offer actionable insights for both business owners and the organizations that assist them.
Place-Based Storytelling | A community’s unique identity is a powerful economic driver. This track examines how local culture creates business opportunities, looking at the economics of agritourism and orchards and the commercial impact of trolls, tunes, and community events. We will explore strategies for branding small towns effectively and review lessons from the entrepreneurs who built businesses in Saint Joseph. This is a practical look at how place-making serves as a foundation for economic development.
Future Builders | Building a sustainable economy means ensuring there is a pipeline from student to owner. This track focuses on that transition, showcasing high school entrepreneurship programs that work and strategies for meaningful youth engagement. We will discuss legacy planning for business retention and hear directly from Gen Z founders about what drives them to stay locally. The goal is to identify how the ecosystem can better bridge the gap between today’s owners and tomorrow’s innovators.
Innovation and Creative Economy | Innovation in our region often takes the form of resilient, community-centered business models. This track explores structures that combine profit and purpose, such as social entrepreneurship and employee ownership. We will look at how annual arts festivals strengthen community identity and review the case study of "The House," a development built largely on public input. These sessions highlight creative frameworks for building a robust local economy.
Schedule Overview
Schedule Overview
Thursday, September 17, 2026
8:30 AM Pre-Conference Session
9:00 AM Registration Open
10:00 AM Welcome & Opening Panel
11:45 AM Lunch
12:45 PM Breakout Session 1
2:15 PM Breakout Session 2
3:45 PM Breakout Session 3
5:15 PM Reception & Networking
Friday, September 18, 2026
8:00 AM Optional Session / Networking
9:30 AM Breakout Session 4
11:00 AM Closing Keynote
12:00 PM Boxed Lunch
Registration
Registration
Registration details coming soon. To sign up for updates, you can subscribe to our newsletter here.
Lodging Information
Lodging Information
Given limited lodging in the City of St Joseph, hotel blocks are located in Waite Park (~10 minute drive to St Joseph). A shuttle will be available to take participants from the hotels to St Joseph.
Hotel blocks - Reserve room by August 16, 2026 for block pricing
Hotel blocks - Reserve room by August 16, 2026 for block pricing
Hilton Garden Inn | 550 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387
Book your room online via the booking link or call the hotel directly at 320-640-7990 and request group code 903 to get hotel block pricing.
Residence Inn | 450 Division Street, Waite Park, Minnesota, 56387
Book your room online via the booking link or call the hotel directly at 320-640-0200 and request group code CEC to get hotel block pricing.
FAQs
FAQs
Where is the conference located?
Plenary sessions will be held at the Gorecki Center at the College of Saint Benedict (37 College Ave S, St Joseph, MN 56374).
Breakout sessions are located directly in local businesses to encourage attendees to engage with and learn from the local community. Breakout venue addresses will be provided in the conference program.
Where should I park?
There is limited guest parking at the Gorecki Center at the College of Saint Benedict and the nearby downtown area.
If you are staying in the conference hotel room blocks, we will provide a shuttle to and from St Joseph. We encourage you to take the shuttle to St Joseph to minimize impact on the local community and connect with other conference attendees.
What should I wear?
Because breakout sessions are located across the downtown area, we encourage you to wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Will I receive copies of speaker presentations?
Yes. All presentations will be shared with participants for review and use after the conference.
Will I be able to get a list of conference participants?
Yes. After the conference is complete, the list of participants and speakers will be posted for further follow up. We suggest you bring business cards, as we provide networking opportunities and highly encourage communities to meet and share information.
Is this conference the right fit for me?
For entrepreneurs: This year, we've added a breakout session track designed specifically for entrepreneurs. You can find more information about the Entrepreneur Resources track above. Beyond these breakout sessions, this conference also serves to connect entrepreneurs to a broad ecosystem of service providers, economic development professionals, and regional resource partners.
For out-of-town guests: While we are proud to showcase St. Joseph, this conference is built on perspectives from across Greater Minnesota. We bring in stories and strategies from across the region and state so you can leave with insights to spark action in your own community.
For community champions (beyond economic development): You don’t need to be a formal economic developer to attend! We thrive when we have a mix of chambers, schools, local government, service clubs, and non-profits in the room. Bringing a diverse team from your town ensures that when you return home, you can bridge the gaps between different sectors to build a truly integrated and resilient support network for your local entrepreneurs.
Questions?
Questions?
Contact the Minnesota Extension CEC planning team members.
Neil Linscheid
Neil Linscheid
Extension Statewide Specialist, Entrepreneurship
Email: lins0041@umn.edu | Phone: 320-203-6109
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