2021
Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference
Staples, MN
Conference Agenda
Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021
11:00 a.m. Registration and lunch available
(Main Venue - Timbers Event Center [In-person & Streamed online] - Timbers Events Center
Description: Hospitality was one of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this keynote, representatives from Drastic Measures Brewery (Wadena) and 3 Cheers Hospitality (Baxter) will share how they found innovative ways to not only navigate the restrictions but also to give back to their communities and employees.
12:15-12:45 p.m. Walk to Breakout Session 1
In-person: Scavenger hunt
12:45-1:45 p.m. Breakout Session 1
Workshop 1A: Extension Presentation: Using Retail and Mobile Data
Location
Sourcewell & Online
Description
Data about trends and consumer patterns can help entrepreneurs develop new businesses or add new products. Retailers can access data about retail sales in their community using a variety of sources. More recently, mobile location data has become available to help retailers get an even better picture of their retail marketplace. In this session, Extension Educator Ryan Pesch will share the retail and mobile data available to retailers and discuss how that information can be used. He will also share a short case study about using the data in decision-making for a small grocery store.
Presenter
Ryan Pesch, University of Minnesota Extension
Track
Community & Regional Personality through Retail, Hospitality, and Food
Workshop 1B: Local Foods as an Economic Development Tool
Location
Great River Regional Library
Description
Sprout MN was established in 2012 to build economies using agriculture as a viable economic development tool. This session will break down how local foods support small family farms and build vital and locally supported communities. We will discuss the power of relationships, developing a value chain, and strategies for success.
Presenters
Arlene Jones, Executive Director, Sprout MN
Fallon Ryan, Engagement Coordinator, Sprout MN
Track
Ag and Environmental Innovation
Workshop 1C: Business Financing Essentials: The Loan Package
Location
Restaurant Los Corrales
Description
Whether you’re a brand new startup or examining how to drive next-stage growth in your long-standing business, you will likely need a loan at some point. In this training, you'll learn about the key components of a loan package and how lenders use these documents to provide the right loan products for your business.
Presenter
Julie Anderholm, Business Consultant, North Central Small Business Development Center
Track
Entrepreneurship Services
1:45-2:15 p.m. Travel to Breakout Session 2
2:15-3:15 p.m. Breakout Session 2
Workshop 2A: Artists on Mainstreet
Location
Restaurant Los Corrales
Description
Artists on Main Street, a program created in partnership with Rethos & Springboard for the Arts, explores how artists and creatives can address the challenges faced by Main Street districts around the state. Since 2017, eleven communities have been part of this program and implemented projects that have fueled new local energy in their downtown districts using alternate approaches to economic development.
Presenter
Michele Anderson, Rural Program Director, Springboard for the Arts
Emily Kurash Casey, Rural Program Manager, Rethos
Track
Art & Culture Entrepreneurship
Workshop 2B: Energy and Environment Planning in Rural Communities
Location
Great River Regional Library
Description
This session will explore Energy and Environment planning that has been done with small cities and businesses in Central Minnesota and share best practices. There are ways small cities and businesses everywhere can participate in energy and environment-related projects. Region Five Development Commission has been working in Central Minnesota on Energy and Environment plans and will share their approach, some suggestions of what to consider when making these types of plans, and time for discussion on these topics.
Presenter
Erica Bjelland, Regional Development Planner, Region 5 Development Commission
Track
Ag and Environmental Innovation
Workshop 2C: Launch Minnesota Statewide Entrepreneurship Initiative
Location
Sourcewell & Online
Description
Launch Minnesota, an initiative in Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), empowers and elevates Minnesota’s innovation ecosystem. Launch MN connects, convenes, and catalyzes entrepreneurial efforts statewide by bringing together public and private organizations from diverse sectors and industries. We want Minnesota to be the best place to start and scale new ventures by providing access to capital, statewide connectivity, and expertise.
Join and learn from our panelist on how they are working to cultivate an entrepreneurial ecosystem in their region.
Presenter
Neela Mollgaard, Executive Director, Launch Minnesota
Jeff (Greater St. Cloud) , Stacy Nimmo (Red Wing Ignite), Amanda Lamppa (IEDC) and Gary Schott (SBDC Mankato)
Track
Entrepreneurship Services
3:15-3:45 p.m. Travel to Breakout Session 3 Locations
3:45-4:45 p.m. Breakout Session 3
Workshop 3A: Hospitality Entrepreneurship in Small Communities
Location
Timberlake Hotel
Description
Unique and excellent hospitality can work in small towns, but it takes an entrepreneurial spirit to make it happen. Mary Ives, owner of Timberlake Hotel in Staples & Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids, will discuss the entrepreneurial challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities for the hospitality industry in small communities.
Presenter
Mary Ives, Owner, Timberlake Hotel and Timberlake Lodge
Track
Community & Regional Personality through Retail, Hospitality, and Food
Workshop 3B: Co-Op Connections
Location
Great River Regional Library
Description
Electric cooperatives have the "power" to connect economic development professionals to local growers and entrepreneurs. This session will cover programs and services offered by Todd Wadena Electric Co-Op and Great River Energy. Clean Energy Resource Teams work throughout Minnesota to connect individuals and communities to the resources they need to identify and implement community-based clean energy projects. This session will highlight programs and funding opportunities available to help entrepreneurs improve and enhance their energy efficiency.
Presenter
Allison Uselman, Todd Wadena Electric Co-Op
Melissa Birch, Central Minnesota CERT Coordinator, Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)
Track
Ag and Environmental Innovation
Workshop 3C: Artspaces & Makerspaces
Location
Sourcewell Rm 3 & Online
Description
The Iron Range Makerspace is a makerspace/coworking/incubator located in Hibbing, MN. It aims to become the innovation center for the entire Iron Range. Their main service is membership to our facility which houses everything a creative mind needs to succeed including a metalworking bay, automotive lift, hand tools, woodshop, textile area, recording studio, a library of maker-related reading material, commercial kitchen, and a community to support you! During this session, Andrew Hanegmon will share the history and lessons learned of the Iron Range Makerspace.
Presenter
Andrew Hanegmon, Optimizer, Iron Range Makerspace
Track
Arts and Culture Entrepreneurship
Workshop 3D: Business Succession Planning
Location
Sourcewell Rm 4 & Online
Description
During the next decade, there will be a record number of business transitions happening across Minnesota and the United States. This transition in business ownership is driven by demographic changes as the baby boom generation retires. Communities can begin to act now to ensure that great businesses transition successfully and remain in the community. During this session Extension Educator, John Bennett will share the resources, research, and strategies for guiding business succession in your community.
Presenter
John Bennett, Extension Educator - Community Economics, University of Minnesota Extension
Pat Campanero
Track
Entrepreneurship Services
Workshop 3E: Wellness Break - Explore Staples Farmers Market
Location
Catch a shuttle at the Staple Chamber office to the Farmers Market
Description
Feel like spending a little more time exploring Staples? During this session you’ll be exploring the Staples Farmers Market. There will not be a presentation, so come prepared to choose your own adventure.
Track
Wellness Break
4:45-5:15 p.m. Break
5:15-7:00 p.m. Reception and Networking Event
(Timbers Event Center)
Friday, Sept. 10, 2021
7-8:30 a.m. Breakfast on your own
8:30-9:15 a.m. Warm-up, wake-up, idea sharing
(Coffee and caramel rolls available from the Spot)
9:15-9:30 a.m. Walk to Breakout Session 4
9:30-10:30 a.m. Breakout Session 4
(in downtown Staples’ businesses)
Workshop 4A: Boutiques and Popup Store Panel
Location
Great River Regional Library
Description
Boutiques and pop-up stores are transforming downtowns across greater Minnesota. These stores bring uniqueness, variety, and excitement that's getting noticed in communities. During this session, we will hear from a panel of business owners about their stores, their journey, and their vision for what's possible in their community.
Presenter
Kelly Pearson, Owner, Aiden & Oak
Maren LaVoie, Owner, The Frugal Farmhouse
Gladys Kanis, Owner, Taste of Columbia
Megan MAy, Owner, Sprinkle of Joy Boutique
Track
Community & Regional Personality through Retail, Hospitality, and Food
Workshop 4B: Arts Support & Business Development through Arts Councils
Location
Restaurant Los Corrales
Description
The Five Wings Arts Council encourages and promotes arts creation, appreciation, and education through grant programs and technical assistance to enhance the quality of life for Minnesota residents in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena Counties. FWAC believes that arts organizations, artists, and arts activities provide a path for communities to thrive while contributing to the overall good of the economy. FWAC will share stories of how their organization supports artists and the community, using the arts as a tool for creative development.
Presenter
Mark Turner, Executive Director, Five Wings Arts Council
Track
Arts and Culture Entrepreneurship
Workshop 4C: Rural Development through Social Entrepreneurship Panel
Location
Sourcewell & Online
Description
Learn about the growing movement of social enterprise and the Initiators Fellowship that supports early-stage social entrepreneurs in Central, Northwest, Southwest, and West Central Minnesota. Hear about and from the current class of Initiators Fellows and how they're trying to do well while doing good in their greater Minnesota communities.
Presenter
Panelists:
Chris Fastner, Program Manager for the Initiators Fellowship
Annie Deckert, co-founder Decklan Group, founding CEO of Greater Fergus Falls EDA, Initiator Fellow Alumna
Jon Friesner, founder and CEO of Groshed, current Initiator Fellow
Track
Entrepreneurship Services
10:30-10:45 a.m. Drive to Closing Session Keynote
11:00-12:00 p.m. Closing Session Keynote
Location
Central Lakes College – In Person & Online
Description
The Central Lakes College Farm Business Management program helps farm families meet their business and personal goals through quality farm records and sound business decisions. During this keynote, Cory Detloff, Director of Ag & Energy/Farm Business Management, will share how their team of business consultants provides customized hands-on small business assistance to farmers throughout Minnesota. In addition, past participants will share their experience in the program and how community leaders can help promote agri-businesses in their own regions.
Presenter
Cory Detloff, Director of the Ag & Energy Center and Farm Business Management
12:00-12:15 p.m. Closing Remarks and Adjourn
Cost
Register before August 9 and save! Early bird rate: $80 (in-person), $20 (online)
Regular rates (after August 9): $100 (in-person), $25 (online)
Lodging:
Timberlake Hotel
1212 2nd Ave NE, Staples, MN 56479
Tel: (218) 895-1300
Please call by August 9 to make reservations under "CEC conference." Rooms are not available for online booking.
King room - $99 (11 available)
Double Queen with shower only - $109 (22 available)
Double Queen with tub - $109 (6 available)
Spa suite King bed - $119 (3 available)
Extended stay suite with King bed (includes kitchenette and separate bedroom area) - $139 (4 available)
Wheelchair accessible King - $99 (2 available)
Wheelchair accessible double Queen - $109 (1 available)
Wheelchair extended stay suite with King bed (includes kitchenette and separate bedroom area) - $139 (1 available)
Please check back as more details for the 2021 Conference are added
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Thank you to our 2021 sponsors!
EQUITY SPONSORS
VENTURE SPONSORS
