Fergus Falls Business Summit 2016

Fergus Falls Business Summit
11:00am “Connect 4 Networking” -- bring business cards
12:00pm Welcome & Lunch 
Organizational Updates: Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau and Economic Improvement Commission
Lunch: Beef medallions w/rosemary potatoes, vegetables, roll, beverage and dessert/coffee.

12:35pm Local Guest Speakers
Erin Smith, Fergus Falls Public Library Director
Nick Leonard, Otter Tail Co. Director of Economic Development and Tourism

12:55pm Dessert & Cofffee
Chamber of Commerce “Business Gives” Recognition
Lisa Workman, Executive Director & Sean Sullivan, Board President

1:15pm Keynote Speaker: 
Ben Winchester "Rewriting the Rural Narrative" Click Here for Ben's Presentation
It seems the rural story has already been told. Small towns keep getting smaller.  Churches, schools, clinics, businesses, and now post offices, have closed their doors as the lucky few migrate out to the big cities. This deficit framework dominates how we discuss and envision our rural communities. However, the story of rural America since 1970 is rich and diverse, with positive trends occurring under the radar. Learn how these important positive changes have been occurring across the rural landscape that require us to rewrite the narrative of rural community change.
Ben Winchester, Senior Research Fellow
U of MN Extension, Center for Community Vitality
Ben has been working both in and for small towns across the Midwest for over 20 years. He is trained as a Rural Sociologist and works as a Senior Research Fellow for the University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Community Vitality and conducts research on topics surrounding a theme of “rewriting the rural narrative” that are vital to rural America. The first documents “newcomers” – the influx of 30-49 year old people – to identify the social and economic opportunities of this migration. The second research topic involves the analysis of rural community leadership, specifically examining the community-wide requirements to “keep the town running” through the public and nonprofit sector. The third is the impact of the baby boomer retirements on the rural housing supply. These positive trends show that rural communities show a resilience of which we should be proud.
“Connect 4 Networking” Prize Drawing -- Winner Samantha Klecan
 The event has been a partnership between the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Economic Improvement Commission (EIC) for 12 years.