September 17–19, 2019 | Pine Bluff Convention Center, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
The second annual RuralRISE Summit convened rural leaders, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders from across the country at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Held in the Arkansas Delta — itself a region navigating many of the economic development challenges central to the RuralRISE conversation — the event reflected the organization’s growing national reach and its commitment to bringing the summit to communities with a direct stake in the work.
Programming combined short practitioner-led talks with facilitated small-group working discussions. Sessions examined how national and regional networks can better support local change, the role of trust and relationships as a foundation for cross-sector collaboration, where government and policy have the most impact on rural entrepreneurship, and the distinctive economic assets rural communities bring to business development.
Governor Asa Hutchinson delivered remarks, and Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington offered a mayoral proclamation welcoming the summit to the city. Speakers and panelists represented the Kauffman Foundation, Heartland Forward, the Center on Rural Innovation, the Delta Regional Authority, the Aspen Institute, the SBA, USDA, the International Trade Administration, Village Capital, and others.
Evening programming embraced the local community, with a “Taste of Arkansas” barbecue welcome reception at the Pine Bluff Country Club and a second-evening reception with live music at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center, including a walking tour of Pine Bluff departing from the convention center.