Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM) is currently seeking innovative and engaging speakers and presenters focused on rural economic development at our 2021 virtual conference taking place on April 12-13, 2021. RPM welcomes proposals from regional, statewide, national and international speakers and presenters who wish to bring their expertise and passion to the premier conference for rural community development in Michigan.

The goal of this event is to inspire and equip practitioners and advocates with the community economic development strategies needed to recover through the COVID-19 pandemic, advocate for their communities, and build an equitable future for all.

Topics of interest for the 2021 conference include (but are not limited to) rural housing, broadband access, economic recovery for rural communities after COVID, and alternative energy/infrastructure

We are seeking proposals for:

- 45 minute breakout sessions;
- 45 minute plenary sessions; and
- Virtual networking/social event facilitation

We received many great proposals for the in-person Small Town and Rural Development conference that would have taken place in April of 2020. Because our world has changed significantly since that application deadline, we encourage those who previously submitted a proposal to submit again keeping in mind the new challenges and opportunities our communities face.

If your proposal is selected, you commit to working with the conference planning committee to develop a session that meets the goals and engagement requirements of the conference.

Deadline: Friday, November 13, end of day