Reserve your spot at one (or more) of our eight conferences in 2011!

The eighth year of the Rural Business Conference promises to reach more of rural Utah than ever before. 

Instead of offering a single large conference, we are organizing a series of one-day regional sessions to be held in eight different rural communities across the state.

Of course, we will continue to feature high-caliber speakers and presenters who will share practical advice for Utah’s rural businesses.  Our conference sessions will address challenges and opportunities unique to each regional area as well as offer advice on accessing small business capital, increasing sales, and reaching new markets.  We’ll also have discussions on the economy, health care reform, and other issues of national interest.

We thank our many generous sponsors who make it possible for us to organize this annual conference.  Please consider joining us in 2011 at any of these upcoming events.

Locations & Dates

Blanding

February 18, 2011 (Alan Hall's PowerPoint presentation)

Eight Communities, Eight Conferences

Each of the eight conferences will feature sessions of particular regional interest as well as general information for the rural entrepreneur. While there will be some variation in the conference agenda in each location, the events will generally run about five hours and will include a keynote speaker, a presentation from Senator Bennett, and two breakour sessions with a variety of classes to attend. In most communities, a local organization will also provide a meal for conference attendees, and will also organize an expo area where conference goers can interact and network with representatives of local businesses.

Best of all, thanks to our great sponsors, there is no cost to attend the 2011 Rural Business Conference. (In locations where a meal is provided by a local organization, there may be a nominal cost for those who choose to eat.)

What is the Rural Business Conference?

The conference’s sessions and business exposition bring together government officials, entrepreneurs and others interested in rural economic growth for networking and lively discussion. After seven years, the conference continues to grow and attendees tell us our message is a valuable as ever.  We hope to see you in 2011.

Report from Blanding and Moab conferences:

Bennett's Rural Business Conference Reaches
Hundreds of Small Business Owners

Focused on tips to keep small businesses thriving in struggling economy

SALT LAKE CITY – Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) aimed to stimulate rural Utah’s economy February 18 and 19 by taking his annual Rural Business Conference on the road to reach more communities. He kicked off his statewide tour with conferences in Blanding and Moab. Nearly four hundred people attended the conferences in the two communities, where they received tips on how to survive the slow economy and even grow their business. 

“It is important for small businesses to receive the support they need during these economically challenging times and the Rural Business Conference provides the advice and tools to help these businesses weather the storm,” said Bennett. “I am very pleased with the success of these first two conferences and look forward to reaching out to even more business owners at the next six conferences.”

During a presentation at each session, Bennett, a former Inc. Magazine regional Entrepreneur of the Year touched on his past history as an entrepreneur and shared with the attendees the lessons he learned in business. Bennett also discussed the stagnant economy and the recent passage of the stimulus bill. 

“Small businesses are the backbone of our country and unfortunately, small businesses got short changed in the stimulus bill because the tax cuts were too small and too temporary,” added Bennett.

Utah Rural Development of Southern Utah University also conducted an interactive audience response survey regarding business and the economy, where conference-goers found out instantaneous results.
 
Each session also featured a keynote speaker. Alan Hall, founder of MarketStar, was the keynote speaker at the Blanding conference on February 18. Hall shared the story of how he started MarketStar in the garage of his Ogden home more than two decades ago. The company now employs more than 2,500 people worldwide. Hall shared practical tips for business owners and how to bounce back after unsuccessful business decisions or investments.(Download Alan Hall's PowerPoint presentation)
 
“If I were in charge, my stimulus package would go out to bless entrepreneurs,” said Hall.  “As you grow that company, you add employees. I think entrepreneurs are the heart and soul of America.”

Robert Harris, founder of ChemDry, a Utah based carpet cleaning company, was the keynote speaker at the Moab conference on February 19. Harris shared the story of how he created ChemDry while he was putting himself through law school as a carpet cleaner nearly 40 years ago. ChemDry has since grown to more than 50,000 employees in 50 countries.  Harris shared tips on starting up a company and recognizing business opportunities.

“The successful person is willing to do those things the unsuccessful person is not willing to do,” said Harris. “Take charge of your life. People want you to think that it’s difficult to succeed; your success is totally up to you.”

Several workshops at each conference offered advice on small business development, online marketing on a budget, home based businesses, financing options for startups and small firms, and international expansion and marketing. A business expo was also available to give attendees an opportunity to network and learn about the products and services of exhibiting companies.

For the last eight years, Bennett has partnered with the Utah Rural Development Council to host this annual conference. This year, after seeing the event grow beyond the capacity of most rural Utah venues, organizers arranged for eight smaller conferences to be held throughout the state.

The “on the road” style conference is already achieving its goal of reaching out to more Utah small business owners.  With nearly 400 in combined attendance at the Blanding and Moab conferences, it is well on the way to surpassing the 500 who attended last years conference in Price.

Senator Bennett continues the Rural Business Conference tour in April with conferences in Heber Valley on April 14, Roosevelt on April 15 and Brigham City on April 17. Three other conferences will be held in August in Delta, Ephraim and Richfield.