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K-State Today

Division of Communications and Marketing
Kansas State University
128 Dole Hall
1525 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-2535
vpcm@k-state.edu

February 25, 2020

Keynotes announced for National Rural Grocery Summit; presentation proposal deadline is Feb. 28

Submitted by David Procter

Kansas State University's Rural Grocery Initiative announces the keynote speakers for the seventh National Rural Grocery Summit June 8-9 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan.

The summit will kick off Monday, June 8, with a panel of rural grocery store owners from across Kansas discussing both the challenges and joys of running an independently-owned business. As the premier venue for rural grocers to network and learn from each other, this panel sets the tone for a successful conference.

Joseph Welsh will be the luncheon keynote speaker on June 8. Welsh is a retail supermarket consultant, educator and speaker who lives in Las Vegas. Having served in nearly every possible retail and wholesale food job over the last 38 years, Welsh has continued to help, represent and consult with retail supermarkets nationwide, including rural Kansas.

On Tuesday, June 9, the opening keynote speaker will be Jon Schallert, president of The Schallert Group Inc. Schallert is a consultant and professional speaker who teaches businesses and communities how to turn themselves into consumer destinations. Schallert has worked with numerous small businesses across Kansas.

The final panel will explore how local, independent grocers can compete with discount retailers. Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, will participate in this panel alongside other key stakeholders. Mitchell directs the institute's initiative to decentralize economic power and level the playing field for independent businesses. She has produced numerous influential reports and articles, designed local and federal policies, and collaborated to build effective coalitions and campaigns in support of local business.

Presentation proposals for the conference will be accepted until Feb. 28. Submissions should be sent electronically to cecd@k-state.edu with the subject line "Rural Grocery Summit Proposal." For more information, please visit conferences.k-state.edu/ruralgrocery/call-for-presentations/.

We hope you will join us at the seventh National Rural Grocery Summit. You can register at conferences.k-state.edu/ruralgrocery/registration/.

Contact 785-532-6868 or email cecd@k-state.edu with any questions.