Each year the Rural Economic Development Forum is held in a different rural community. A "request for proposal" is sent out each year for the purpose of soliciting communities who may wish to host the Forum. It is a competitive process. The host community should anticipate 125-250 attendees. Key selection criteria include:

• A letter of guarantee of no less than $1,000 cash and an additional $4,000 in cash or in-kind services, such as waiving of room and equipment rentals or technical assistance from the sponsoring entity
  
  
• A letter of commitment providing the name of a person from the community who will serve on the Fundraising Committee.
  
  
• A letter of commitment indicating that a local person will chair the Logistics Committee.
  
  
• A complete description of meeting space, including a room that will accommodate no less than 250 attendees, breakout rooms that will accommodate a minimum of 25 attendees and a description of banquet facilities and service. A floor plan of the proposed facility should be included if available.
  
  
• Information regarding lodging, including the number of rooms available and the cost.
  
  
• Letters of support from the community.
  
  
• High speed internet availability at both the meeting facility and lodging venues.
  
  
• Proposals should be submitted in electronic format.
  
  

These guidelines are explained further in the Forum Handbook. If you have questions about this process, please contact a Board member. Past Forum locations can also be found on this web site.