USASBE’s 2024 Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium

The USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium promotes an integrated approach to better understanding entrepreneurship in rural areas and small towns, by annually convening 40 to 60 researchers, teachers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to generate more data-driven research, education, policy, and action for the 61% of the U.S. who live in small towns and rural spaces.

In collaboration with national and regional supporters, this symposium will be hosted by university partners, and will have an organizing theme that is unique to the region. While these themes are specific to each region, they have also been selected for their global relevance. The host for the inaugural conference is the University of Vermont, with the theme of “High-Tech in Small Towns and Rural Spaces”.

Seen as the signature event for the USASBE’s Rural Entrepreneurship Special-Interest-Group, leading members of the USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship SIG, the symposium will run from Wednesday through Friday, with optional learning trips on Saturday. Events will include research talks, educational training seminars, discussions of policy and practice, as well as “field trips” to rural entrepreneurship hubs and organizations.