2026 Iowa Rural Development Summit

Name: 2026 Iowa Rural Development Summit
Start: 2026-04-09T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-04-10T12:00:00-05:00
Location: Grand River Convention Center

Schedule

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026 at 09:00 am to Fri, 10 Apr, 2026 at 12:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Grand River Convention Center | Dubuque, IA

A 10th anniversary celebration on the banks of the Mississippi River in Downtown Dubuque!
About this Event

The Iowa Rural Summit celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026, and this year we're stepping into our second decade with a fabulous venue on the banks of the Missippi River and a theme -- RISE (Rural Innovations Solutions Empowerment) -- that underscores the power of rural.

This must-attend event brings together community leaders, economic development professionals, business owners, and rural advocates to share ideas, celebrate successes, and find new ways to strengthen Iowa’s rural communities.

Join us for two days of inspiring plenaries, dynamic breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Together, we'll explore innovative strategies for building connections, fostering collaboration, and driving growth in rural Iowa.

A prelimary agenda can be found at 2026-Iowa-Rural-Summit-Agenda-1.pdf.

Tickets purchased after April 2, 2026 cannot be guaranteed a printed name badge.

Why Attend?

Rock-Solid Connections: Meet leaders and changemakers dedicated to rural vitality.
Energizing Content: Explore topics like economic development, housing, workforce, placemaking, and more.
Success Stories: Hear from communities making a big impact in rural Iowa.
Interactive Sessions: Participate in discussions and workshops to take actionable ideas back home.
Rand Fisher Rural Leadership Awards: Celebrate individuals and communities leading the way!

Who Should Attend?

We’re again inviting rural communities to bring teams of 3 for a special combined rate. Collaborate, learn, and energize your community together! Community leaders, economic development professionals, local government officials, nonprofit organizations, business owners, and anyone passionate about creating a vibrant future for rural Iowa.

Bring your energy, ideas, and enthusiasm for making rural communities thrive. Register now to secure your spot at the 2026 Iowa Rural Summit and be part of the movement to energize and connect our communities!