Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference with the Green Lake Plein Air Festival, May 13-15, Green Lake, Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s 3rd Annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference. A hands-on, immersive conference aimed at strengthening rural Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. For more information and register go.wisc.edu/cec

Calling all rural and small town entrepreneurs, economic developers, and community champions! Not your typical conference, CEC is a smalltown showcase bringing together entrepreneurs and leaders from Wisconsin’s small towns for experiential learning across the City of Green Lake, WI. CEC is Wisconsin’s statewide event for rural entrepreneurs and people who want to support local business for the prosperity of Wisconsin’s small towns and rural communities!

CEC 2026 will feature:

  • A Keynote by Craig Culver, CEO of Culver’s Restaurants
  • 14 programming sessions about starting and supporting local business in small towns
  • Boat Tours on the deepest lake in Wisconsin
  • A Plein Air Painting Contest by Wisconsin’s creative entrepreneurs
  • Office hours with business development specialists
  • Networking opportunities with 200+ rural and small town leaders and business owners