LINCOLN, NEB. (June 27, 2008)—Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes business and financial magazine, will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural Governor’s Conference on Rural Development (combining the conferences of the Nebraska Community Improvement Program and Partnership for Rural Nebraska Institute) at Kearney’s Holiday Inn, November 14.  Rich also is author of the book Life 2.0 How People Across America Are Transforming Their Lives by Finding the Where of Their Happiness, which was an Amazon and Wall Street Journal business best-seller.

Luncheon speaker Matt Deighton of Greensburg, Kan., will share information about how volunteers and residents are rebuilding an “all green” community following the devastating EF5 tornado that destroyed 95 percent of homes and businesses on May 4, 2007.  Deighton helped recruit and coordinate volunteer brigades in the rebuilding efforts.

The conference, themed “Renewable Nebraska” will feature local tours, networking opportunities, resource booths, and a variety of workshops, including:

Rejuvenating America’s Downtowns and Main Streets

Assessing Your Community’s Technological Capabilities

Innovation with Organics and Agri-Business

Development Districts: What Can They Do for You?

Alternative Energy and Conservation Techniques

Funders Roundtable and Utilizing Funders for Projects

Engaging Newcomers in the Community

Utilizing the Many Generations in Community Development

Leveraging Fundraising Through Foundations, Tax Credits, and Creative Fundraising Ideas

Public and Small Business Assistance in Dealing with Brownfields and Environmental Issues

Activating and Motivating Volunteers

The annual NCIP Awards Banquet will be held following the conference and networking reception. 
 
In every issue of Forbes, Karlgaard writes a column called Digital Rules that focuses on technology, entrepreneurship, regional and economical development, and the future of business and work. He frequently lectures on these same subjects and regularly appears on Fox News Channel’s Forbes on Fox. In 2005, Karlgaard began writing a daily blog, which appears on the homepage of Forbes.com.
 
Karlgaard started Forbes ASAP technology magazine in 1992 with Forbes CEO and Editor-in-chief Steve Forbes and futurist and writer George Gilder. He also co-founded companies Garage Technology Ventures in 1997 and Upside Magazine in 1988, and the 5,500-member civic Churchill Club in 1985. For the latter, he co-shared Ernst & Young’s Northern California "Entrepreneur of the Year" award. A graduate of Stanford University, Karlgaard lives with his wife and two children in northern California.
 
For conference information visit: http://www.neded.org/files/crd/2008/Gov%20Rural%20Conf%20Schedule.pdf

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Patty Wood at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1559, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it