Excelsior Springs has been named one of the three finalist towns in the running to host the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, alongside Perryville and Maryville. The selection highlights Excelsior Springs’ blend of historical charm and modern amenities, coupled with a strong community focus on economic development. The town’s ample facilities and walkability, including various accommodation options, make it a prime contender for the prestigious event.
City of Excelsior Springs Economic Development Director Melinda Mehaffy expressed her excitement in an email to community members, stating, “We are incredibly fortunate to be a finalist in the 2025 CEC Conference Host process. The next step in the process is the hardest because we must win the conference host site through a voting process.”
Voting Process and Timeline
The next phase of the selection process involves a public vote to determine the final host community. Voting is now open and will close on Monday, September 16th, at 6:00 PM. The MU Extension Exceed office will oversee the voting process, ensuring all votes are eligible.
MU Exceed faculty will write the name of the selected 2025 CEC Conference host town in an envelope, which will be opened and read aloud by Jackie Spainhower at the closing session of the 2024 CEC Conference in Fulton this September.
Community members are encouraged to participate in the voting process to support Excelsior Springs. Click here to vote.
About the CEC Conference
The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference gathers a diverse set of stakeholders dedicated to achieving economic prosperity in rural Missouri. Attendees gain access to best practices, resources, and networking opportunities that have led to new initiatives and partnerships, such as a research partnership between an MU PhD student and a national youth entrepreneurship program.
Rural towns across Missouri apply to host the annual conference each September. Previous hosts include Hannibal (2021), Hermann (2022), Cole County (2023), and Fulton (2024). The conference is unique in that sessions are held in local businesses and venues, providing participants with a hands-on way to learn and engage with the host community.
The increased demand for hosting the CEC conference is evident, with three towns applying for the 2024 conference and eight towns vying for the 2025 event. This surge in interest highlights the value rural Missouri communities place on engagement with MU Extension through the CEC program.
Benefits of Hosting
Hosting the CEC Conference elevates the town’s profile as a hub for entrepreneurship and economic development, attracting future investors and visitors. Local leaders gain access to a network of regional and national experts, fostering potential collaborations and partnerships.
Additionally, the economic impact of hosting the conference is significant. The event brings over 100 people to the host town for two days, with an estimated economic value of approximately $35,000.
Excelsior Springs now awaits the public vote, hopeful that its unique qualities and community spirit will secure it as the host for the 2025 CEC Conference. Community members are encouraged to vote and support their town in this exciting opportunity.
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