Courtland, Kansas, will serve as the hub of activity June 24-26 as it hosts the annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference. The event focuses on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in rural areas and is a collaborative effort among Kansas State University, Network Kansas, the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, and local partners. A pre-conference event will be held the evening of June 24, followed by workshop sessions June 25-26.
Courtland applied in 2024 to serve as a host site for the conference, which launched its inaugural event last year in Kingman, Kansas.
“We are thrilled for this opportunity for our community and county, as visitors from across the state will be staying in surrounding communities,” said Josey Hammer, Director of Operations at JenRus Marketing, and Courtland’s community coordinator and planner for the conference. “It’s not just about what Courtland has to offer, but it’s about the conversations that will be had in these small business settings as the speaking locations. It’s important that anyone with a connection to entrepreneurship in the region join the conversation.”
Registration is $175 through May 31, increasing to $200 in June. Entrepreneurs can receive a $75 discount with a code at checkout. Learn more and register.
This article appeared in the Spring 2026 NCRPC Newsletter.