March seventh and eighth is the twenty-third annual Rural Economic Development Conference in Peoria, IL. This years event is structured with four topics: Rural Illinois in a Different Economic Climate, Successful Community Development Strategies, Innovative Community Practices, and Workshops on Community and Economic Development. Each section has five to six presentations. The link below will take you to the event website and its agenda.

http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/tab3.aspx?EventID=1046980