For 2018 our featured speakers include:

•        Cortney Angeley from the Filene Research Institute –

North America’s foremost think tank for the credit union industry

•         Margaret Lund, Co-opera Co. – Nationally-recognized expert in

capitalizing Co-op Startups and Co-op Financial Management

•         Charles Robison, State Director of USDA Rural Development –

Federal agency that funds cooperative development centers and

co-op innovation across the nation

Other plenary speakers include leaders from 16 Montana cooperatives who will introduce their young businesses during Wednesday’s “Co-ops on Parade” session. Thursday’s concurrent sessions feature regional leaders with expertise in agriculture/local foods; housing and worker co-ops; and rural investment cooperatives.

Check out the six Pre-Summit Workshops offered Wednesday morning for those 1) new to the co-op business model, 2) leading start-up cooperatives, and 3) operating well-established co-ops. Each 90-minute training costs only $15 thanks to funding from the Montana Cooperative Education Fund.

Scholarships are available to attend the Summit and Back to Basics workshops, and applications are due by February 15^th. Early bird registration and guaranteed room availability ends on February 20^th, so please act today!