Keynote Presentations to National Events

  • National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Annual Training Conference, Reno, Nevada
  • Canadian Beef Industry Conference, Saskatchewan
  • Radically Rural conference, virtual, Keene, New Hampshire

USA National Events

Becky McCray is speaking to a very full meeting room. Almost all the audience members are raising their hands.
Becky McCray facilitates an interactive workshop on overcoming divisiveness to the International Economic Development Council annual conference.
  • International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference, 3 appearances
  • National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Annual Training Conference, workshops
  • National Main Street Now Annual Conference, 2 appearances
  • National League of Cities, City Summit
  • National Summit on Rural Entrepreneurship
  • National Rural Housing Conference, poster session
  • American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) National Conference
  • National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), 2 virtual appearances
  • National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) national conference
  • Business and Professional Women (BPW) USA National Conference, 2 appearances
  • State of NOW/140 Characters Conferences, co-host and speaking appearances at 10 events
  • BlogWorld/New Media Expo, speaking appearances at 5 events
  • South by Southwest Interactive (SXSW), 2 speaking appearances
  • US Senate Staff Briefing Panel on broadband access, Public Knowledge
  • Harvard University, Reimagining the Economy Project: Local Institutional Capacity Workshop

Canada

Becky McCray speaking at FarmTech in Alberta, Canada. The audience members are all standing, and Becky is standing on a chair.
Becky McCray getting the audience members on their feet at FarmTech in Alberta, Canada.
  • British Columbia Economic Summit
  • Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Municipal Economic Development Forum
  • Alberta, FarmTech Conference
  • Northern Manitoba, Greenstone Community Futures Entrepreneurship Conference
  • Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Conference
  • British Columbia Economic Development Association teleconference
  • Northern Ontario, Algoma Workforce Investment Board Business Conference
  • Ontario, Norfolk County Tourism and Economic Development Symposium

Australia

  • TEDxGympie: Innovation in Rural Communities, Queensland

UK

  • 140 Characters Conference, London

Want to talk with me about holding a date for your event or setting up a virtual presentation?

Get In Touch
Becky McCray interacting with the audience at the Teeny Tiny Town Summit.
Anywhere from a main stage in a big ballroom to a platform made of pallets in a rural firehouse, Becky adapts her approach to each event, staying interactive with the audience.

2025 Speaking and events

  • Rural and Agricultural Legislative event, plenary session on Idea Friendly Communities, January 2025
  • Rural Planning Symposium, North Dakota Department of Commerce and the Office of Community Development and Rural Prosperity, keynote Idea Friendly Communities, workshop Coming Together for Stronger Communities, Bismarck, Feb 11-12, 2025
  • Community Foundation and Economic Development Forum, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, keynote presentation on Idea Friendly Communities, in person at Hays, Kansas, March 26-27, 2025
  • International Youth in Canadian Agriculture, webinar on the Idea Friendly Method, March 29, 2025
  • Attending: Northwest Oklahoma Small Business event, Launch Rural OK and partners, Fairview, March 31, 2025
  • Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Prof. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, in Stillwater, April date TBA
  • Shawnee, Oklahoma, on site visit with Deb Brown as part of our Intensive Action Package, April date TBA
  • Lander County, Nevada, Community core group boost, part of our Intensive Action Package, May date TBA
  • Local Leaders Roundtable, American Independent Business Alliance, Rural Business Needs: Survey of Rural Challenges 2015-2025, with Deb Brown, virtual, date TBA
  • Inquiry: Rural communities event series, Ontario, May or June dates TBA
  • Tentative: IEDC Rural Retreat, International Economic Development Council, Great Falls, Montana, June 23-25, 2025
  • Inquiry: Local business event, Ontario, September 2025
  • Attending: Oklahoma Arts Conference, Enid, October 22-24, 2025
  • Tentative: Provincial Summit, Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance, Canada, November 4-5, 2025

2024 Speaking and events

Becky McCray on a large stage with an audience including several wearing cowboy hats.
At the national Canadian Beef Industry Conference, Becky McCray presents the keynote on Idea Friendly Towns
  • Reimagining Rural, Montana State University Extension, Idea Friendly Method presentation, distributed hybrid event with virtual presentations to groups in 10 locations across Montana, with Deb Brown, February 12, 2024
  • Inland Northwest Partners, Ideas into Action, Idea Friendly Workshop, Filling Empty Buildings, and downtown walk-around, Pullman, Washington, March 6, 2024
  • Small Town Tours, short presentations on the Idea Friendly Method and tours with Paul Kimmel, in Uniontown and Palouse, Washington, and Potlatch, Deary and Orofino, Idaho, March 7-8, 2024
  • Webinar with Dell Gines, IEDC, and Deb Brown, Rural Collaboration, Idea Friendly Method, SaveYour.Town, March 27, 2024
  • Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Prof. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, in Stillwater, April 2, 2024
  • Cooperative annual meeting and community tour, Kanokla, Idea Friendly Method, Caldwell, Kansas, April 26-27, 2024
  • Oklahoma State University Rural Renewal Initiative, presentation on the Idea Friendly Method to rural scholars in the Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates (REEU), Stillwater, May 17, 2024
  • Webinar with Melody Warnick, author, and Deb Brown, Rural Workforce: Attracting and Retaining Good People, SaveYour.Town, June 12, 2024
  • Webinar for SourceLink Affiliates, Building Rural Entrepreneurial Ecosystems with Innovative Business Models, with Deb Brown, SourceLink, July 11, 2024
  • Council of State Governments Eastern Regional Conference (CSG East), panel with Scott Soares, and Ivy Wells on thriving rural communities (Idea Friendly Method), Baltimore, Maryland, July 29, 2024
  • Caldwell, Kansas, core group boost focused on housing, followed by community conversation, August 8, 2024
  • Canadian Beef Industry Conference, keynote presentation on Idea Friendly Towns, Saskatoon, August 21-22, 2024
  • West Virginia Brownfields & Main Street Conference, provided poster on the Survey of Rural Challenges 2024 preliminary results, September 10-12, 2024
  • IEDC Annual Conference, International Economic Development Council, interactive workshop Overcoming Small Town Divisiveness with Powerful Collaborations, Denver, Colorado, September 16-17, 2024
  • Rural Renewal Symposium, moderated a panel of community leaders, presented a poster session on rural entrepreneurship insights authored with Deb Brown and Andrew Button, Oklahoma State University, in person at Lake Murray Lodge, Ardmore, Oklahoma, October 8-10, 2024
  • Virtual watch party, part of our Intensive Action Package, Lander County, Nevada, October 17, 2024
  • Northwest Michigan Housing Summit, keynote presentation on Idea Friendly Towns, Traverse City, October 24, 2024
  • Insider Mastermind, with Rob Hatch, facilitated discussion on Survey of Rural Challenges, October 28, 2024
  • Cities Summit, National League of Cities, headline speaker for Small Cities Council on Idea Friendly Communities, Tampa, Florida, November 13-16, 2024

2023 Speaking and events

A light skinned woman and a medium skinned man with a gray beard stop for selfie in front of a brick sign that says Harvard Kennedy School
Becky McCray and Dell Gines joined a discussion on rural capacity building at the Harvard Kennedy School.
  • Virtual Roundtable, Radically Rural, presentation and discussion with Deb Brown on volunteerism and community engagement, February 15, 2023
  • Placemaking Conference, attended, The University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities, in Norman, Oklahoma, March 20, 2023
  • Main Street Now Conference, Main Street America, presentation on Pull Your Town Together: Overcoming Divisiveness, in Boston, March 27-29, 2023
  • Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Prof. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, in Stillwater, April 6, 2023
  • Rural Rise Speaker Series, presentation on Innovative Rural Business Models with Deb Brown, virtual, August 17, 2023
  • Iowa Ideas, Urban/Rural Divide In-Depth Week, New Idea to action (Idea Friendly Method) with Deb Brown, virtual, August 23
  • West Virginia Brownfields & Main Street Conference, provided poster on the Survey of Rural Challenges 2023, September 12-14, 2023
  • IEDC Annual Conference, International Economic Development Council, interactive workshop Bringing Your Ideas to Life: Idea Friendly Workshop for Rural Revitalization with Deb Brown, in Dallas, Texas, Sept 17-20, 2023
    • Also at IEDC: Rural Placemaking Supporting a Thriving Economy panel discussion with Tom Gierasimczuk and Will George
  • Teeny Tiny Town Summit, Northwest Oklahoma Alliance, interactive session The Top Five Challenges and Assets for Rural Oklahoma, in Woodward, Oklahoma, October 10, 2023
  • Oklahoma Arts Conference, presentation on Imaginative Communities: The Idea Friendly Way, in Lawton, October 17-19, 2023
  • National Rural Housing Conference, virtual poster session on the Survey of Rural Challenges, October 24-27, 2023
  • Harvard Kennedy School, Reimagining the Economy Project, Local Institutional Capacity Workshop, lead discussant on Local experiments and policy implications, October 27, 2023, at Harvard University
  • Rural Renewal Symposium, presented poster session on the Survey of Rural Challenges 2023, Oklahoma State University, in person at Quartz Mountain, November 2-3, 2023
  • Rural Housing Webinar, with Ben Winchester and Deb Brown, recording available at SaveYour.Town, November 6, 2023
  • Maryland Rural Summit, keynote presentation on the Idea Friendly Method, Rural Maryland Council, in Annapolis, November 14, 2023

2022 Speaking in person and at virtual events

A group of women in conversation in a trade show booth
Desiree Dunham SPHR SHRM-CP with NRECA, Kristie Kelley with Center for Energy Workforce Development, Deb Brown and Becky McCray with SaveYour.Town, finish the conversation at NRECA PowerXchange 2022 conference
  • Neighboring 101, University of Missouri Extension, guest lecture on the Idea Friendly Method, virtual, January 20, 2022
  • Dakota Resources, Virtual Coffee Break, presented Rural Trends 2022 with Deb Brown, February 3, 2022
  • PowerXchange, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association conference, workshop on Practical Steps to Cultivate Your Co-op as a Community Leader (Idea Friendly Method), two roundtable Spark Sessions on the Idea Friendly Method with CEOs and directors with Deb Brown, in person, Nashville, March 7-8, 2022
  • Rural Summit, NC Rural Center, opening keynote Building a More Resilient Community (Idea Friendly Method), in person, Raleigh, March 21-22, 2022
  • Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Dr. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, in person, Stillwater, March 31, 2022
  • Regional Rural Development Centers Listening Sessions Initiative, invited stakeholder participant on leadership, workforce and entrepreneurship, April 2022
  • Cooperatives First, Canada, webinar on Cheap Economic Development Ideas with Deb Brown, May 11, 2022
  • RuralX, attended virtually, Dakota Resources, June 8, 2022
  • Multi-county Tourism Conference, Red Carpet Country, attended in person, Alva, Oklahoma, August 2022
  • Estill County, Kentucky, community visit, presentation on the Idea Friendly Method, in person, Sept 21, 2022
  • Brushy Fork Leadership Summit, Be Idea Friendly: People Restoring Communities keynote presentation, in person, Berea, Kentucky, Sept 22-23, 2022
  • Rural Renewal Symposium, attended, Oklahoma State University Rural Renewal Initiative, in person at Stillwater, October 5, 2022
  • East Central Colorado Council of Governments, two presentations on the Idea Friendly Method, in person, October 11-13, 2022
  • Teeny Tiny Town Summit, Northwest Oklahoma Alliance, presentation on Developing Resilient Communities: The Idea Friendly Method, in person at Woodward, Oklahoma, October 25, 2022
  • East Central Colorado Council of Governments, Q&A follow-up call with Deb Brown, via Zoom, November 17, 2022
  • Insider Mastermind, Owner Media Group, discussed the Survey of Rural Challenges, November 28, 2022

2021 Speaking in person and at virtual events

Becky McCray presenting the general session for the National Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives regional event in Washington, DC
Becky McCray moderating a community engagement panel including Curtis Wynn, at the National Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives regional event near Washington, DC.
  • Rural Vitality Workshop series: Developing Resilient Communities: The Idea Friendly Method with Deb Brown, Limestone Bluffs RC&D, Iowa, virtual via Zoom, March 9, 2021
  • Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Dr. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, via Zoom, Stillwater, April 1, 2021
  • Midstates Community and Economic Development Conference, opening keynote on the Idea Friendly Method, (3 state region) virtual via Zoom, April 8, 2021
  • Rural Vitality Workshop series: Beating the Online Competition, Limestone Bluffs RC&D, Iowa, virtual via Zoom, April 13, 2021
  • Leadership Wheatland County, Montana, presented Idea Friendly Communities and Idea Friendly Implementation, virtual via Cisco Webex, May 10, 2021
  • Rural Vitality Workshop series: Restarting Local Shopping, Limestone Bluffs RC&D, Iowa, virtual via Zoom, ​May 11, 2021 
  • Restoring Rural Business webinar series, Tiny, Temporary, Together, Traveling and Tech: New Rural Business Options, virtual via Zoom and FCC, North Carolina, June 1, 2021
  • Rural Vitality Workshop series: Creating Events People Will Attend, Limestone Bluffs RC&D, Iowa, virtual via Zoom, June 15, 2021
  • Restoring Rural Business webinar series, The New Shop Local, virtual via Zoom and FCC, North Carolina, August 2021
  • Kansas State Research and Extension Community Development, First Friday series, Improving Rural Housing, virtual via Zoom, September 3, 2021
  • National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Regional Meeting 1&4, present Survey of Rural Challenges results and moderate panel on community engagement, in person at National Harbor, Maryland, September 10, 2021 (first in person event since March 2020!)
  • Rural Developers Assembly, Idea Friendly Communities, Empty Lots and Roofless Buildings, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, virtual via GoToMeeting, September 14, 2021
  • National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Regional Meeting 2&3, presented Survey of Rural Challenges results and moderate panel on community engagement, in person at Birmingham, Alabama, October 7, 2021
  • Rural Renewal Symposium, Oklahoma State University Rural Renewal Initiative, presented Survey of Rural Challenges research results, facilitator for two Community Round Tables, via Whova, October 12, 2021
  • National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Regional Meeting 8&10, presented Survey of Rural Challenges results and moderate panel on community engagement, in person at Dallas, Texas, October 21, 2021
  • Teeny Tiny Town Summit, Northwest Oklahoma Alliance, presented Innovative Rural Retail Models, in person at Woodward, Oklahoma, October 26, 2021
  • Co-op Connections Reenergize session, Touchstone Energy, webinar on Local Shopping, October 28, 2021
  • Community visit and presentation, Idea Friendly Method, Vision Caldwell, Kansas, in person, October 29, 2021
  • Main Street Training: Economic Vitality, Oklahoma Main Street, presented Fixing Your Volunteer Problem (Idea Friendly Method) and Filling Your Empty Buildings, at Altus, Oklahoma, in person, November 2-4, 2021

Speaking in person and at virtual events in 2020

Screenshot of Becky's video and chat in the Whova app
Becky McCray moderating a round table discussion at the Oklahoma State University Rural Renewal Symposium.
  • Seiling Chamber of Commerce banquet, Positive Rural Trends, in person in Seiling Oklahoma, January 21, 2020
  • British Columbia Economic Summit, BC Economic Development Association, keynote presentation Idea Friendly Economic Development, in person in Kelowna, B.C., Canada, March 9-10, 2020 (last in-person event until 2021)
    • Community visit, Village of Lumby, BC
  • Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Dr. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, via Zoom, Stillwater, April 2, 2020
  • British Columbia Economic Development Association, Economic Response & Restart teleconference, Refilling the Business Pipeline with Deb Brown, via Zoom, May 21, 2020
  • RuralX, Dakota Resources, led an OpenX session on How to Open Up to New Ideas (Idea Friendly Method), via Zoom, June 17-18, 2020
  • Kansas State Research and Extension Community Development, Rebuilding with Resilience (Idea Friendly Method), via Zoom, August 7, 2020
  • SMTulsa Social Marketing Conference, virtual keynote presentation It’s Your Community Too (Idea Friendly Method), via Whova, Oklahoma, September 17-18, 2020
  • Radically Rural: Remote, virtual keynote presentation on Idea Friendly Method, via HopIn virtual platform, Keene, New Hampshire, September 24, 2020
  • Reimagine Rural, Montana State University Extension, webinar on the Idea Friendly Method with Deb Brown, via Cisco Webex, September 29, 2020
  • Infusion Entrepreneurship Conference, virtual keynote presentation on Save Your Town (Idea Friendly Method), Greenstone Community Futures, Manitoba, Canada, via Zoom, October 5, 2020
  • Rural Renewal Symposium, Oklahoma State University Rural Renewal Initiative, facilitator for two Community Round Tables, via Whova, October 13, 2020
  • Reimagine Rural, Montana State University Extension, Q&A session with Deb Brown and Dr. Ben Winchester, via Cisco Webex, October 13, 2020
  • Co-op Community Webinar, Save Your Town By Engaging Everyone (Idea Friendly Method), with Deb Brown, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) in cooperation with National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA), via Cisco Webex, October 20, 2020
  • Sharing our founding stories, Deb Brown and Becky McCray, Facebook Live, Nov 28, 2020
  • Competitiveness Conference & Site Selector Forum, Mid America Economic Development Council (13 states), Refilling the Business Pipeline:  Expanding Economic Development Opportunity with Innovative Rural Business Models, via Whova, December 2-3, 2020

Presentations, keynotes and appearances in 2019

Becky McCray presents the keynote on Idea Friendly Communities to Cowlitz County, Washington
  • Cowlitz Economic Development Council, Annual Meeting keynote on the Idea Friendly Method, and walking workshops in 5 communities, Cowlitz County, Washington, February 4-8, 2019
  • Main Street Now Conference, workshop on Idea Friendly communities, Seattle, March 25-27, 2019
  • SMTulsa, Oklahoma, keynote speaker on Automation Magic, March 28-29, 2019
  • Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Dr. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, Stillwater, April 4, 2019
  • Idaho Economic Development Association Spring Conference, keynote speaker on Idea Friendly Communities and workshop on Seeing the Small Town Future, Boise, April 17-18, 2019
  • RuralX, Idea Friendly Communities pre-conference workshop, Dakota Resources, Mitchell, South Dakota, June 17-18, 2019
  • Association of Washington Cities,  Elected Officials Essentials webinar series, presenter on Positioning Your Community to Attract New Business, via GoToWebinar, August 7, 2019
  • Washington State Department of Commerce Associate Development Organizations, Best Practices Meeting, keynote speaker on Developing Idea Friendly Communities, Wenatchee, September 24, 2019
  • #SmallTownTourismChat featured guest, virtual event held on Twitter, October 2019
  • NADO – National Association of Development Organizations Annual Training Conference, plenary presentation on Becoming an Idea Friendly Community and pre-conference workshop with Deb Brown on Rural Jobs Creation Strategies and Innovative Rural Business Models, Reno, Nevada, October 20-22, 2019
  • Cherokee Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club, 120th anniversary celebration, invited guest, Claremore, Oklahoma, November 2, 2019

Speaking and events in 2018

Rural speaker Becky McCray leads a group discussion in front of a small town downtown building
Becky McCray leads a group out of the meeting room to apply ideas on Main Street in Colfax, Washington
  • Entrepreneur Summit, keynote presentation on Innovative Rural Business Models, Ada, Oklahoma, March 9, 2018
  • BASEC Inspiration: Inform, Inspire, Involve, Beadle and Spink Enterprise Community, keynote presentation on Opening Up to New Ideas (Idea Friendly Method), Frankfort, South Dakota, March 22, 2018
  • Grow Spink, keynote presentation on If not me, who? Idea Friendly Method, Redfield, South Dakota, March 23, 2018
  • SMTulsa Business Conference, keynote presentation on Flip This Webinar Business, Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 29-30, 2018
  • Wheaton College, Fundamentals of Business course with C.C. Chapman, guest lecturer on being a business owner, via Skype, Norton, Massachusetts, April 4, 2018
  • Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Dr. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, Stillwater, April 5, 2018
  • Kansas State Research and Extension Community Development, e-call, Innovative Rural Business Models, April 6, 2018
  • Tennessee Rural Development Conference, plenary session on Gather Your Crowd Idea Friendly Method, workshops on What to do About Empty Buildings and Empty Lots and Innovative Rural Business Models and Rural Jobs Creation Strategies, Murfreesboro, April 18-19, 2018
  • Embedded Community Experience with Deb Brown, visits to three communities, presentation on the Idea Friendly Method, Forest County, Pennsylvania, May 1-3, 2018
  • Regards to Rural R2R, Rural Development Initiatives, Shift Happens: The BOLD Question Behind Rural Problems We All Face (Idea Friendly Method), special session on rural trends for Oregon Rural Opportunities Initiative communities, Portland, Oregon, May 18-20, 2018
  • Association of Washington Cities Annual Conference, Making Your Small Town More Idea Friendly, workshops on What to do About Empty Buildings and Empty Lots and Innovative Rural Business Models and Rural Jobs Creation Strategies, Yakima, June 27-28, 2018
  • North Central Illinois Council of Governments Economic Development Summit, keynote presentations on Positive Rural Trends, Opening Up to New Ideas (Idea Friendly Method), Innovative Rural Business Models, Spring Valley, Illinois, walking workshop in Ladd, Illinois, July 12, 2018
  • Embedded Community Experience, Colfax, Washington, walking workshop, Aug 2-3, 2018. Read an update from Colfax 1 year later
  • Downtown walking tour, Rosalia, Washington, August 4, 2018
  • Texas Economic Development Council, Innovative Rural Business Models and Rural Jobs Creation Strategies, webinar, November 7, 2018
  • Forest County Business Alliance, return visit, guest lecturer at high school technology class on the Idea Friendly Method, Pennsylvania, November 12-15, 2018

If you think I’d be a great fit for an event with you, please contact me. Let me know what would work best for you.

Get In Touch
Becky McCray keynoting a sold-out session at Inland Northwest Partners in Moscow, Idaho

Speaking and events in 2017

Becky McCray is speaking from the middle aisle with both sides of the room filled to capacity.
Becky McCray engages the audience at FarmTech in Alberta, Canada.
  • Small Business and Community Development Forum, Filling the Downtown Gaps, Stillwater, Oklahoma, January 23, 2017
  • FarmTech 2017, Big Ideas in Small Towns: Making Rural Places Open to New Ideas (Idea Friendly Method), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, January 31-February 2, 2017
  • Community visit, 10 Positive Trends for Small Towns, Elkhart, Kansas, February 7, 2017
  • Kansas Community Development Extension Agents, Filling Empty Buildings, via online meeting, March 3, 2017
  • Mid-Valley Rural Conference, 3 part keynote: Innovative Rural Business Models, Rural Jobs Creation Strategies, Gather Your Crowd (Idea Friendly Method), Marion County, Oregon, March 7, 2017
  • SMTulsa Business Conference, 6th appearance as keynote: Fear of Moving On: Overcoming the Other FOMO (Idea Friendly Method), Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 30-31, 2017
  • Green County Development Corporation Annual Dinner, Positive Rural Trends: Developing the Will to Act and Facing the Fear of Failure, Wisconsin, April 25, 2017
  • Small Business Week event, Positive Trends for Rural and How to Act on Them, Ponca City, Oklahoma, May 2, 2017
  • Inland Northwest Partners, 3 part keynote: Foundations for Survival: Trends Affecting Small Towns; Filling the Gaps: What to do About Downtown Vacancies, Empty Lots and Roofless Buildings, and Shaping the Future of Your Community: Innovative Business Models & Job Creation Strategies, Moscow, Idaho, June 7, 2017
  • Clearwater Economic Development Association, Positive Trends for Rural and Innovative Rural Business Models, Kendrick, Idaho, June 8, 2017
  • Washington State University, downtown walk around and town/gown collaboration, Pullman, Washington, June 9, 2017
  • RuralX Summit, Gather Your Crowd (Idea Friendly Method), second consecutive year to keynote with Deb Brown, South Dakota, July 18-19, 2017
  • Empower! Dakota Conference, walking workshop and tour of Faulkton, South Dakota, July 20, 2017
  • Small Business and Community Development Forum, Innovative Rural Business Models and Rural Jobs Creations Strategies, Cleveland, Oklahoma, August 16, 2017

Speaking and Events for 2016

Becky McCray speaking to a rural and small town audience
Becky McCray speaking at the Rural Business and Innovation Summit, Klamath Falls, Oregon
  • Rural marketing webinar, North Dakota Department of Commerce, What Works in Rural Marketing Today: Be heard without shouting, January 12, 2016
  • Northwest Oklahoma Workforce Board, Microstartups and Innovative Rural Business Models, via distance learning classroom, Feb 25, 2016
  • SMTulsa, Oklahoma. Pre-conference workshop: Get Your Speak On: Becoming a more professional speaker, and Delivery: Mentoring Panel with Cheryl Lawson and Rob Hatch. Main event: How to Make the Most out of SMTulsa panel with Mandy Vavrinak and Roxanne R. Roark. 6th consecutive year to be featured at SMTulsa, March 30, 2016
  • Oklahoma Works Partners Conference, Speaker on 8 Innovative Rural Business Models: Encouraging Entrepreneurship Through Small Steps, April 22, 2016
  • Core group discussion with Lake Arrowhead Village Merchant’s Association, Lake Arrowhead, California, June 15, 2016
  • RuralX Summit, Keynote: Top 5 Innovative Rural Business Models, with Deb Brown. Hosted by Dakota Rising. Aberdeen, South Dakota, July 19-20, 2016
  • #EstillRising, Keynote: Bringing BIG Ideas to Life: Small Town Secrets to Success (Idea Friendly Method), Estill County, Kentucky, July 29, 2016
  • #SMTulsaChat guest, Becoming a more professional speaker, August 10, 2016
  • Rural Business and Innovation Summit, Keynote: Small Towns Have a Future: 10 Trends in Our Favor, Klamath County, Oregon, September 14-15, 2016
  • Association for Women in Communications, Be Heard Without Shouting, Oklahoma City, October 11, 2016
  • Heart and Soul call, Orton Family Foundation, via phone, October 20, 2016

Speaking and events in 2015:

Becky McCray keynoting the Big Ideas for Small Communities event in North Dakota.
Becky McCray, keynote speaker at the Big Ideas for Small Communities event in North Dakota, mixes with the audience, drawing out stories and questions.
  • SMTulsa, Oklahoma, March 26-27, 2015. Keynote speaker for fifth year in a row, on All Business is Local
  • Community Connect Forum, Cavalier, North Dakota, April 25, 2015. Hosted by University of North Dakota. Keynote speaker on 10 Trends in Our Favor, and workshop on Building a Strong Local Economy
  • USDA/TVA Rural Development Conference, April 29-30, 2015. Hosted by the Tennessee Valley Authority and UDSA Rural Development. Speaker on 10 Trends in Rural’s Favor and Why Small Towns Need Social Media
  • US Senate Staff Briefing, Public Knowledge, Washington, DC, August 3, 2015. Represented rural stakeholders on Broadband Access as a Basic Service panel
  • Big Ideas for Small Towns, Washburn, North Dakota. Keynote speaker on Bringing Big Ideas to Life: Small town secrets to success (debut of the Idea Friendly Method) and workshop on What Works in Rural Marketing Today: Be heard without shouting. September 22, 2015
  • Rural Economic Development Webinar, Turning Rural Negatives into Positives with Deb Brown. Hosted by Blane, Canada, Ltd., and Pro Learning Laboratory, October 20, 2015
  • Indie Business Network, members-only coaching call, Pop-ups and New Business Models, December 3, 2015

Speaking appearances and other events in 2014

Cynthia Simmons and Becky McCray lead off for the SMTulsa Conference. Photo by SMTulsa Team.
Cynthia Simmons and Becky McCray lead off for the SMTulsa Conference. Photo by SMTulsa Team.
  • #SMTulsa Takeover, Twitter chat host, February 26, 2014
  • Doing Business Creatively in a Northern Ontario Community, Elliot Lake. Mar. 6, 2014. Keynote and workshop
  • SMTulsa Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mar. 20-21, 2014. Opening and closing keynotes. 4th consecutive year to keynote
  • Webinar for retailers, Missouri, April 10. Lead remotely via Skype
  • American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) Conference, Minnesota. May 8-11. Workshop on Creating Your Business’ or Organization’s Biggest Fans. Panel on Multiplying Your Online Reach with Jen Risley and Emma Wilhelm
  • Small Town Conference, Oklahoma Main Street, El Reno. June 17. Keynote speaker on Small Towns Have a Future
  • Confluence, Oklahoma City, September 6, 2014. Speaker on “The Liquor Store Model for Social Media Success”
  • National Summit on Rural Entrepreneurship, Washington, DC, October 14. Panelist on Tackling the Challenges
  • Rural Broadband Policy Group, Washington, DC, October 15-16. Visits to Congressional and FCC staff to share rural broadband challenges

2013 Speaking Appearances

Mayor of Norfolk County Dennis Travale and Becky McCray, holding her book Small Town Rules
Mayor of Norfolk County, Ontario, Dennis Travale and Becky McCray discuss rural issues in her first visit to Canada. She was invited back twice by the end of the year.
  • 4 Ways to Jumpstart Your Small Business in 2013, webinar with Entrelab, January 16
  • Norfolk County, Ontario, Tourism and Economic Development annual symposium/general meeting, Port Dover, Ontario, Canada, January 23, 2013. Keynote speaker on Small Town Rules
  • PRSA OKC, March 20. Speaker on Small Town Rules
  • Social Media Tulsa Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma. March 21-22, 2013. Keynote speaker for third consecutive year
  • Fairview Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma. April 1, 2013. Speaker on Small Town Rules
  • SOBCon, Chicago, May 3-5, 2013. Host/emcee
  • Small Business Week event, Ponca City, Oklahoma. Speaker on Growth Strategies. May 8, 2013
  • Managing Multiple Businesses, webinar with Entrelab, August 21
  • Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma. September 19. Speaker on Small Town Rules
  • Ontario Community Futures Development Corporations Conference: Locally Energized. Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Sept. 25. Keynote speaker on Small Town Rules
  • American Planning Association Illinois State Section Fall Conference, Columbia, Illinois. Sept. 27, speaker on Social Media & Tourism: Market YOUR Main Street
  •  Homegrown Culture: Oklahoma Arts Conference, Ardmore. Oct. 23-24. Two sessions: building engagement and social media champions
  • Ontario Ministry of Agriculture’s Municipal Economic Development Forum,  Simcoe, Canada, Oct. 30-31. Keynote speaker. Interactive audience participation session on social media in economic development
  • Chamber of Commerce Roundtable and community visit, Webster City, Iowa. Nov. 4
  • Veterans Entrepreneur Conference, Enid, Oklahoma. Nov 12. Presenter on Social Media, Small Town Style
  • Rural Pathways to Prosperity Conference, Washington State University Extension. Nov. 15. Keynote via remote video

2012 Speaking Appearances

A young man, Colton Foote, and Becky McCray speaking from a large stage.
Becky’s nephew Colton Foote joined her on stage to share his perspective as a young person in a rural community.
  • Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Economic Development Forum: New Year, New Jobs: Growing Local Companies and Supporting Entrepreneurs. Texas. Keynote speaker. February 28-29
  • Gilford Flooring Dealers Conference – Indiana. Speaker on social media for small town retail businesses. March 9
  • Social Media Tulsa Conference.  Preview of Small Town Rules. Keynote speaker. March 15-16
  • Blogs: An Integral Part of an Economic Development Marketing Strategy. Webinar by Blane, Canada, Ltd., and Pro Learning Laboratory. March 22
  • Michigan Small Town and Rural Development Conference: Returning Keynote speaker on Small Town Rules. Thompsonville, MI. April 16-18
  • BlogWorld Expo New York. Speaker on “Small Town Rules” with Barry Moltz. Member of panel on “Travel the World with Your Blog or Podcast” with Sheila Scarborough, Mark Tafoya and Jennifer Iannolo. June 5-7
  • Motherlode Innovation Summit on Technology, Sonora, California. “The Small Town Style Online” via recorded video. June 6
  • State of NOW: 140 Characters Conference Global, NYC. Co-host. Speaker on Small Towns Rules. Member of panel on “Bringing #140conf to Your Town” with Anthony Rotolo, Deb Brown, Jeff Pulver and Julia Rosien. June 19-20
  • Social Media Day, Wichita, Kansas. Special Guest, speaker on State of Now/140 Conference. June 30
  • Bartlesville Marketing Communication Association, Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Speaker on Small Town Rules, via live video. August 9
  • Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, Kileen, Texas.  Speaker on “Fitting Social Media into Your Workflow” with Sheila Scarborough. August 16
  • Hutchinson Social Media Club, Hutchinson, Kansas. Speaker on State of NOW. August 20
  • Social Media Breakfast Maine, Portland. Speaker on “The Return of Small Town Business.” August 24
  • AMA OKC, American Marketing Association Oklahoma City, speaker on “How Big Brands and Small Businesses are Thinking and Acting Small”. October 11
  • TEDxGympie, Queensland, Australia: Innovation in Rural Communities. Speaker on “Do small towns have a future?” via recorded video. October 23
  • Social:IRL, Lawrence, Kansas. “An Evening with Becky McCray.” October 25
  • State of NOW: 140 Characters Conference SmallTown, Hutchinson, Kansas. Co-hosted with Deb Brown. November 8

2011 Speaking Appearances

Becky McCray and Barry Moltz pose for a photo after speaking at South by Southwest Interactive.. Photo by Sheila Scarborough.
Becky McCray and Barry Moltz presented the book Small Town Rules in a session at SXSW.
  • eXtension webinar – (national Cooperative Extension Program) Presented “Getting down to business with social media marketing.” February 10
  • Red Carpet Country, Round table discussion about local festivals, moderator, February 22
  • South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive– Austin. Presented with Barry Moltz on “What we can learn from small town entrepreneurs.” March 12
  • BlogChat Live – Austin. Co-hosted with C.C. Chapman. March 13
  • OpenBeta 6 – Austin. Official Oklahoma event at SXSW. Emcee. March 14
  • Tri-state Agritourism Conference (Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri) – Pittsburg, Kansas. Keynote speaker. March 22-23
  • Social Media Tulsa – Keynote speaker. March 24
  • How to Draw the Line Between Free and Paid – webinar with Sheila Scarborough. April 26
  • RevitalizeWA – Walla Walla, Washington. Keynote speaker. Statewide preservation and Main Street conference. May 12
  • Book More Meetings with Your Social Media Toolbox – webinar in partnership with DMAI’s empowerMINT. Presented with Sheila Scarborough. May 18
  • 140 Characters Conference – Central Sierra. May 24
  • 140 Characters Conference Global – New York City with Cody Heitschmidt. June 15-16
  • Finding Your Online Champions – webinar with Sheila Scarborough. June 30
  • Tourism SEO Basics – webinar with Andy Hayes and Sheila Scarborough. July 26
  • Picture My Weekend – Alva, Oklahoma. July 29-30
  • Concrete, Washington – Speaking and community visit. August 29-31
  • 140 Conference SmallTown – Hutchinson, Kansas. Co-host with Jeff Pulver. September 20
  • Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Small Business – Spoke on “The Social Network: Marketing Strategies for Today.” October 14
  • Nebraska Travel Conference –  Spoke on Finding Your Online Champions, and Social Media Roundtable. October 19
  • BlogWorld Expo West – Los Angeles. Tourism and social media track co-leader with Sheila Scarborough. Nov. 2-5
  • Ask the Experts: How to Boost Your Holiday Sales – Live chat online in partnership with NFIB with Jim Kukral. November 9

Where I spoke in 2010

Rural speaker Becky McCray and Chicago entrepreneur Liz Strauss spoke on entrepreneurship at South by Southwest Interactive in Austin, shown taking audience questions in a packed meeting room.
Rural speaker Becky McCray and Chicago entrepreneur Liz Strauss spoke on entrepreneurship at SXSW in Austin.
  • NFIB webinar, 4 Ways to Jumpstart Your Business in 2010
  • Kansas Marketplace, Dodge City. “Marketing Rural Businesses with Foursquare”
  • 140 Conference Small Town, Hutchinson, Kansas. Co-hosted with Jeff Pulver. “The Small Town Advantage”
  • 140 Conference, Detroit. “Lessons Learned from Life in a Small Town”
  • BlogWorld Expo, Las Vegas. Tourism and social media track with Sheila Scarborough
  • International Economic Development Council, Columbus, Ohio. “Social Media: Linkage to Multiple Markets.” Panel with Stefphanie Harper, Victoria Hirshberg, and Isabelle Poirier
  • Governor’s Rural Community Summit, North Dakota. “Marketing Your Community as a Destination”
  • Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. “Hosting Wired Fam Tours and Press Trips” with Sheila Scarborough
  • Picture My Weekend. Digital photography basics, Alva, Oklahoma
  • Get Social Conference, Oklahoma City. “Social media lessons from small towns”
  • SOBCon, Chicago. “A Business is Born and Branded” with Sheila Scarborough
  • Social Media Club Chicago. Panel with Liz Strauss, Terry Starbucker, Dave Taylor and Simon Salt
  • South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive, Austin, Texas. “How did this happen? I’m in business!” with Liz Strauss
  • Social Media Breakfast SXSW, Austin, Texas. “How Social Media and Business Thrive in Rural America”
  • Northwest Oklahoma Partners in Progress, Alva. “Getting Down to Business with Social Media”
  • Oklahoma Entrepreneur’s Conference 2010, Accelerate Your Startup, “5 roadblocks that keep your community off the web” and Roundtable Discussion: “Entrepreneur and the Economy”
  • Fairview Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma. “Elements of Rural Tourism”
  • National Federation of Independent Business, webinar. “4 ways to jumpstart your small biz”
  • Okeene Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma. “There’s more to rural tourism”

Where I spoke in 2008 and 2009

From Shattuck, Oklahoma, to London, England, 2008 and 2009 were exciting years to be speaking on small business and small towns. Here is a list of where I spoke.

Becky McCray speaking in London with Alex Bellinger. Photo by Marsha Collier.
Becky McCray speaking in London with entrepreneur Alex Bellinger.
  • Northwest Oklahoma Alliance,“Facebook and Twitter: Sharing your ideas,” 2009
  • Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, “Marketing your business to the local community and beyond,” Oklahoma, 2009
  • 140Conference/London, Small business use of social media panel with Alex Bellinger, Heather Gorringe, and Pam O’Hara, London, UK, 2009
  • Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference, “Social Media in Tourism,” with Sheila Scarborough, Oklahoma, 2009
  • BlogWorld Expo, “Small Business, Big Impact,” panel with Arik Hanson,  Natasha Westcoat and Pierre Martell, Las Vegas, 2009
  • Small Business 101, “Small Business Ideas for Small Towns,” 2009
  • Throw Your Voice, blogging and podcasting, Oklahoma City, 2009
  • Small Business Forum with Lt. Governor Jari Askins, “New Tools for Websites,” Oklahoma, 2009
  • Bartlesville Marketing and Communications Assoc, “Marketing Plans for Small Business,” 2009
  • Picture My Weekend, Digital Camera Skills, Alva, Oklahoma, 2009
  • Woodward Main Street, Downtown Streetscape plans, Woodward, Oklahoma, 2009
  • Michigan Small Town and Rural Development Conference, Keynote: “Social Media and Small Towns,” 2009
  • Leveraging Twitter to Grow Your Small Business webinar hosted by Marketing Studio, with Eric Glazer, Aaron Strout, Kyle Flaherty, and Monica Valentinelli, 2009
  • BlogWorld Expo, “A Blogging Business: Sleek Plans for High Performance,” panel with David Bullock and Shama Hyder Kabani, Las Vegas, 2008
  • Innovation Interactive: The Entrepreneurs Conference, “Growth Strategies for Main Street Startups,” Oklahoma, 2008
  • OpenBeta unconference, “Ways to Delegate without Hiring,” Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2008
  • Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference, “New Tools for Tourism,” Oklahoma, 2008

Before 2008, I spoke at over 60 other events and conferences, from local to national audiences.

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