THANK YOU CANYON, TEXAS
Hello Gonzales, Texas
Registration is $129 per person
Group Rate is $516 | Purchase four registrations, get one free!
You are invited to the Stand Up Rural America Regional Forum in Gonzales, Texas
COME JOIN US!
I’d like to personally invite you to this national Rural Economic Development Regional Forum taking place October 7 & 8, 2025. Our exciting host city for this dynamic Forum is Gonzales, Texas. The event will be held at the JB Ellis Event Center and other special locations around the area. This 2025 Stand Up Rural America Regional Forum will feature four nationally renowned subject matter experts and successful economic development practitioners along with a special regional panel called Logistics: The Foundation for a Thriving Community.
Topics covered include planning, leadership, entrepreneurship, downtown revitalization, rural tourism, sustainability, business retention & expansion, effective communications, rural retail development, talent development, best practices and much more. And as always, the sharing of tips, tricks and resources will be off the charts.
Experience an event designed specifically for Rural America. You will receive tangible tools and strategies to help your cities, counties and regions grow. This event is packed with informative and innovative presentations, discussions, networking and celebrating what makes Rural America special. The Stand Up Rural America program has held highly successful events in Tulsa OK, Charleston WV, Somerset KY, Mulvane KS, Laurel MS, Decorah IA, French Lick IN and Canyon TX while garnering high praise for the superior level of speakers, quality content and excellent networking opportunities.
This Forum is coordinated by ACCELERATION by design LLC. It has been my privilege to work with more than 450 rural communities and regions throughout my 34+ year economic development career. We thank the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation, City of Gonzales and Main Street Gonzales for graciously serving as the hosts of the Forum, along with many Regional Partners. We are thrilled to be working with this awesome team representing this historical and exciting region!
This Forum is perfect for Economic Development Organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Cities, Counties, Downtown and Main Street Organizations, Regional Groups, Utilities, Industry Leaders, Lenders, Workforce Development, Elected Officials, ED & Chamber Board Members and anyone with a vested interest in the growth and prosperity of Rural America.
Forum sponsorships are available and we will host an exciting exhibit area. Registration for the Forum is open and we also offer a special group registration rate for five or more participants from one organization. We recognize your travel and budget challenges and want to do all we can to help you participate in the Forum.
You won't want to miss this special Stand Up Rural America Regional Forum. Please join me October 7 & 8, 2025 in Gonzales, Texas to celebrate Rural America!
Grab your boots and cowboy hats....
Let's Go! See you there!
Lorie Vincent
Lorie Vincent, CEcD
Founder | President
ACCELERATION by design LLC
2025 Summit Speaker Team!
2025 Forum Sponsorships
Sponsorships for the 2025 Stand Up Rural America Regional Forum in Gonzales, Texas are available for interested Vendors, Associations, State & Federal Agencies, Lenders, Utilities and supporters of Rural America.
Sponsorship opportunities, offered at many levels, will help provide you with the perfect formula of exposure, promotion, advertising, branding and networking benefits to meet your budgets and your objectives.
A Summary of 2025 Forum Sponsorships available are:
Lone Star Presenting Sponsor (exclusive) | $5,000
Come and Take It Luncheon Sponsor (exclusive) | $4,000
Bluebonnet Desserts & Dialogue Sponsor (exclusive) | $3,000
Armadillo Platinum Sponsor | $2,000
Liquid Gold Sponsor | $1,000
Silver Spurs Sponsor | $500 each
Trailblazer Bag Sponsor (exclusive) | $1,500
Pioneer Vendors/Exhibitors | $250
Click the button below for the 2025 Sponsorship Package, Exhibitor Details and Sponsorship Commitment Instructions. Please send all inquiries and forms to lorie@accelerationbydesign.com. Sponsorship payments are accepted online on the Registration page or by invoice upon request. All exclusive sponsorships are available until sold. Deadline for inclusion on all Forum printed materials and signage is October 1, 2025.
Housing & Travel Options
We will not be blocking one particular hotel brand for our Forum as there are many options available. Hotels in the Gonzales area can be found at the link below. There are also Airbnb, VRBO and RV options in the area. There are diverse options and you will have great choices available for you, based on your preference and budget.
If you plan to fly, you will want to fly into the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Several rental cars agencies are available.
We will also be providing a great afternoon and evening of activities on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, including guided tours of some historical and iconic tourist stops, plus Desserts and Dialogue at the Lynn Theater and a special surprise viewing on Tuesday evening. Everyone is encouraged to come early, enjoy the tours, have dinner on your own at one of the diverse restaurants in Gonzales. Then you are invited to join us to meet the speakers, authors, hosts and sponsors for a special evening of fellowship and networking.
Click below to learn more about all of the fabulous things to do near and around Gonzales, Texas,
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON GONZALES, TEXAS
Stand Up Rural America
Regional Forum Schedule
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
3:00 pm | Tours Begin
4:00 pm | Visit the Texas Room at the Public Library
5:00 pm | Dinner on Your Own
7:00 pm | Dessert & Dialogue at the Lynn Theater
8:30 pm | Viewing of the Texas Legacy of Lights at the Gonzales Memorial Museum
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
7:30 am | Registration, Coffee & Networking | JB Ellis Event Center
8:30 am | Welcome to the Forum
8:35 am | Jeff Siegler | Revitalize, Or Die
9:35 am | Networking Break & Exhibits
10:00 am | Regional Panel | Logistics: The Foundation of a Thriving Community
11:00 am | Julie Roller Weeks | National Tourism Trailblazer
12:00 pm | Networking Luncheon
12:30 pm | Lorie Vincent | Stand Up Rural America
1:15 pm | Exhibitor Introductions & Networking Break
1:30 pm | Doug Griffiths | 13 Ways to Kill Your Community
3:30 pm | Forum Adjourned
