Emerging Trend Webinar: Connecting Community Partners March 27, 2024

Building Bridges Instead of Silos On March 27, 2024, at 11 am (Central time) join Dell Gines, the Chief Innovation Officer at the International Economic Development Council, and Becky McCray and Deb Brown from SaveYour.Town for a no-charge webinar about connecting community partners. They will help you understand the power of collaboration when you build…

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Advice to those working in small towns

The International Economic Development Council published my article that includes advice too: Survey of Rural Challenges: Results Show Optimism and Big Disconnects, and what economic developers can do about it.   The article was about the results from the Survey of Rural Challenges, and some advice to economic developers and others working in rural communities. You…

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Nonprofit events don’t have to be boring

I’ve been to many small town events and cringe when someone at a booth or table hands me a piece of literature about their non-profit. It doesn’t work to engage me. I probably won’t read it. They’ve given me no real reason to. It will end up in the trash. Some folks throw them on…

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The STP – holding up the world

Judy Larson is from Lemmon, South Dakota. She shared this story about the STP. I spend a lot of time with community development folks. The grumble factor often comes around to STP—Same Ten People—meaning these folks feel like they and 9 other people are Atlas, holding up the world. Or at least holding their community…

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#140ConfLive

140 Character Conferences banner

The 140 Character Conferences were events hosted in New York, LA, Des Moines and Hutchinson, KS. Speakers talked for 10 minutes only. Each event had a theme. They were all live events, and I was able to speak at several, host some and help in New York City with hosting. Jeff Pulver explores communication, and…

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We eat in small towns

We do eat in small towns. We don’t meet if we don’t eat! Church potlucks, fundraisers of all sorts, events downtown – you’ll often find food on the menu of activities. Many communities have unique kinds of food that you can find in their areas.   Chislic is a traditional dish of cubed meat commonly…

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10 Days in Europe with a carry on suitcase

I told my friend she was nuts to think I was going away for ten days with only a carry on bag. And a small duffle. That’s it.  That was the challenge Keri gave me.  Then Becky said I could do it, and should do it.  Why did I need to lug around all that…

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Saturday at JunqueFest

This is the 3rd year for JunqueFest in Webster City.  84 Vendors are in Wilson Brewer Park through Sunday – rain or shine.  No admission, junque, repurposed, antiques, barn wood, rustique, signs, yard art – you name, it’s here.  Live music and fair food too – we’ve got a little bit of everything.  I’ll let…

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Iowa Blogger Conference – March 19, 2016

Iowa Blogger Conference is 10 days away.  It’s not too late to register and attend!  http://www.iowabloggerconference.com/   It will be held at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Reasons to attend: 1. It’s a one day educational conference for beginners and intermediate bloggers.  You will learn about bloggers and take home a digital tool…

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Be Weird

Be Weird No, really … The Small Business Social Media Summit was last month.  Over 120 small business people attended – a record number for this first time event.  The speaker line up was fabulous, and everyone left with lessons learned and a toolkit to take back to their offices/stores/businesses. Today we’re sharing just a…

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