GERING, NEB. (October 18, 2005)—People who attend this year’s Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Community Quest Conference and training celebration are in for an intriguing ride as they “Travel NCIP T.R.A.I.L.S.—Technology, Resources, Advantages, Ingenuity, Leadership & Sustainability”. The fun gets underway with Friday, Nov. 4, at the Gering Civic Center, 10th and M streets in downtown Gering.

Morning keynote speaker Vicki Luther, Ph.D., co-founder of The Heartland Center for Leadership Training, Lincoln, Neb., will present “Citizen or Taxpayer: Which Role are You?!”

Keynote luncheon speakers Mary Mazzio, president and CEO of 50 Eggs, Inc., Wellesley Hills, Mass., and Scott Timmins with Babson College in Boston, Mass., will present “Lemonade Stories—Finding the Entrepreneur Within You”. Conference attendees can view Mazzio’s award-winning documentary “Lemonade Stories” free as part of pre-conference offerings on Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m. at the renovated historic Midwest Theatre in downtown Scottsbluff. A combination reception/question and answer session will follow the film. The documentary profiles great entrepreneurs, including Richard Branson (Virgin), Arthur Blank (Home Depot and the Atlanta Falcons), and Russell Simmons (DefJam) who share their secrets of success and talk about the person who most inspired them—their mothers.

Mazzio has followed her own unique path to entrepreneurship. A former law firm partner and Olympian (1992 Olympics), she now devotes her time to writing, producing and directing films, including the award winning A Hero for Daisy, and Apple Pie. Both films aired prime time nationally on ESPN among other outlets in the U.S. and Canada.

The film, Lemonade Stories debuted during Babson College’s 25th Annual Founder’s Day celebration earlier this year (ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report as the best college for entrepreneurship). The event also honored the entrepreneurs’ mothers for their contributions to business.

Luther, and Milan Wall, co-founder of The Heartland Center for Leadership Training will conduct a pre-conference session on Community Capacity Building Training, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Civic Center. This is the second series of ongoing training co-sponsored by the Rural Community Development Initiative and NCIP.

Other workshops offered on Nov. 4 will include “Trio College Leadership and Youth Programs”, “Recruiting Professionals: What do THEY look for in YOUR Community?”, “Board Training: Building a Better Board”, “FunWorks”—are there other possibilities for youth besides McJobs, “Take AIM & Hit Your eBay Targets”, “Roping, Wrangling & Branding Your Community”, “Going After the Big Otto”, “Does Your Community Have What It Takes?”, and “The Art of Recruitment: Utilizing Internships”.

The Nov. 4 NCIP Networking Reception and Silent Auction will get underway at 4 p.m. with entertainment by Cowboy guitarist and country singer Jerry Kennedy of Gordon, Neb. The NCIP Awards Banquet will follow, with entertainment by Robidoux Pass of Gering Valley. Master of Ceremonies Don Gill, the “Voice of Nebraska” will introduce Governor Dave Heineman who will provide opening remarks and present the Community Awards.

The Eppley Express has been contracted this year to provide round-trip motorcoach transportation along two designated routes for people who prefer not to drive. Both will depart Nov. 3 and return Nov. 5. Route 1 will depart from South Sioux City and make stops in Hartington, Neligh, Bassett and Alliance. Route 2 will depart from Lincoln and make stops in York, Doniphan, Gothenburg, North Platte and Sidney.

A block of rooms has been reserved at The Monument Inn & Suites for Nov.3-4. For more information, or to reserve a room, call 866-436-1950.

October 24 is the deadline to register for the Community Quest Conference and Awards Banquet, and registrations will not be accepted over the phone. To request a conference brochure, or more information, including costs related to the conference, motorcoach trip, etc., contact Kathy McKillip or Jerod Trouba at 800-426-6505, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Kathy McKillip at 800-426-6505, 402-471-6587, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it