Invited Tracks
Research in Rural Entrepreneurship
Teaching Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas
Innovative Programming in Rural Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship in Rural Industries:  Retail, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Technology

Submission Details

The deadline for submission of paper and poster abstracts is April 1, 2025. Authors of each accepted submission must ensure that at least one author registers and attends the symposium. Submission of an abstract is a commitment to present the paper or poster at the symposium if it is accepted. The 2025 symposium is an in-person event only.

Use this Link to Submit Abstract

General Submission Information

• Submissions must not substantially overlap with papers that have been published or accepted for publication, or that are simultaneously submitted to a journal, conference, or workshop with published proceedings.
• All submissions should be anonymous; abstracts and other submitted materials not properly anonymized may be rejected without review.
• Each author may not be listed in more than 3 submissions.
• A contact person will be required for each submission; this is the person that acceptance of the abstract will be communicated with as well as any important updates, notifications, and requests.
• 1 of the 4 invited tracks will need to be selected for each submitted abstract. If the abstract submission fits better in a different track than the one selected, or if it needs to be changed to accommodate the symposium, the submission contact will be notified.
• For each abstract submission, a presentation format will need to be selected—paper, poster, or either. If “either” is selected and the abstract is accepted, the presentation format will be chosen to best accommodate the symposium.
• Abstracts should be no more than 2 pages in length single-spaced, plus References pages. Tables and figures are optional and must be included within the 2 pages. Abstracts must be uploaded onto this website and submitted as a pdf.
• Submissions whose claimed contributions rely on artifacts (e.g., models, data sets) are expected to make these accessible to the reviewers, unless there is good reason not to do so. In such a case, the reason(s) must be addressed in the submission.

Submission Review Process

All submissions will follow a blind peer-review process and are evaluated based on their merits and relevance for entrepreneurship education, in line with USASBE’s mission and standard review process. Submissions may be rejected for being out of scope for the symposium at the discretion of the Symposium Chairs.

Conflicts of Interest

Track Chairs are allowed to submit abstracts. Symposium Chairs will handle their abstracts and follow the blind peer-review process.

Potential Conflicts of Interest may be addressed by a different track chair. All USASBE-sponsored conferences, symposia, and workshops are required to follow our Code of Ethics. If you would like to report a violation, please contact the President/CEO or the Ombudsperson. We are committed to protecting the confidentiality of your communication.

Symposium Presentations

Paper presentations will consist of a 15-minute talk followed by 5 minutes for questions and answers for a total presentation length of 20 minutes. Presenters are required to supply an accompanying slide presentation to be preloaded into the audio-visual system. Paper presentations will be grouped by track into sessions each containing 4 presentations. There will be 2 non-concurrent sessions per day, organized to best accommodate the symposium.

Presentations of posters will take place concurrently at a separate 1.5-hour poster session. All poster presenters are required to attend the poster session and staff their poster to assist with interpretation and answer questions. Posters should be 48” long X 36” tall and display all necessary information and data to support their topic or research question without the need for an oral presentation. Poster layout should follow standard formatting where applicable, and content should incorporate concise text and visual representations.

Symposium Focus & Track Descriptions

The Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium is a collaborative forum open to all who are interested in entrepreneurship and innovation in rural areas. The symposium was created to support the Rural Entrepreneurship Special Interest Group (SIG) of USASBE and further connect them with rural researchers, educators, and practitioners across the United States and internationally.

The USASBE 2025 Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium will be held in Iowa and hosted by Iowa State University. Following are descriptions for the four invited tracks highlighting important aspects of rural entrepreneurship in the Midwest. Also included is information on the designated Track Chairs, abstract content requirements, and additional information required when submitting abstracts through the online submission form. Due to the symposium’s affiliation with USASBE, all abstract submissions should consider how their contribution informs the teaching and learning of entrepreneurship, regardless of track.

INVITED TRACKS:

Research in Rural Entrepreneurship

Track Chair:  Lou Marino, University of Alabama and Michael Conger, Miami University

Track Description: The Research in Rural Entrepreneurship Track is for research posters and papers focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation in rural areas. This includes theoretically grounded, qualitative or quantitative studies. Data analysis, results, conclusions, and implications should be provided relevant to the main research question.

Required paper or poster abstract content for this track, use the following headings:

• Introduction
• Research Question & Purpose
• Research/Theoretical Framework
• Findings & Implications for Entrepreneurship Education and Practice
• References (APA style, Version 7)

Additional required information on the online submission form:

• Short Bio (<100 words) for each author
• Abstract Summary (100-200 words)
• Keywords (up to 6)
• Digital Program Description (50-word summary for the symposium digital program)

Teaching Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas

Track Chair:  Georgann Jouflas, Colorado Mesa University and Lane Perry, Western Carolina University

Track Description: The Teaching Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas Track is for presenters to share papers and posters related to their creative, experiential, and innovative teaching modules, techniques, and methods applicable to rural ecosystems. Presenters should be prepared to provide a summary of the teaching methodology and explain why it is innovative in addressing the needs of rural learners relevant to entrepreneurship.

Required paper or poster abstract content for this track, use the following headings:

• Introduction
• Purpose & Objectives
• Walk-through of the Educational Exercise
• Key Discussion Questions
• Lessons Learned & Teaching Tips
• References (APA style, Version 7)

Additional required information on the online submission form:

• Short Bio (<100 words) for each author
• Abstract Summary (100-200 words)
• Keywords (up to 6)
• Digital Program Description (50-word summary for the symposium digital program)

Innovative Programming in Rural Entrepreneurship

Track Chair: Erik Monson, University of Vermont and Bob Milner, Sam Houston State University

Track Description: The Innovative Programming in Rural Entrepreneurship Track is for presenters to share papers and posters related to new, creative, and innovative programming that is happening in rural ecosystems. Presenters should be prepared to provide a summary of the program and explain how it differs from existing program offerings and what problems or challenges the program was designed to address in rural areas.

Required paper or poster abstract content for this track, use the following headings:

• Introduction
• Purpose & Objectives
• Program Overview
• Program Impacts & Takeaways
• References (APA style, Version 7)

Additional required information on the online submission form:

• Short Bio (<100 words) for each author
• Abstract Summary (100-200 words)
• Keywords (up to 6)
• Digital Program Description (50-word summary for the symposium digital program)

Entrepreneurship in Rural Industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Technology

Track Chair: Linda Niehm, Iowa State University and Judi Eyles, Iowa State University

Track Description: The Entrepreneurship in Rural Industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Technology Track is for papers and posters highlighting new and emerging business models, formats, industry sectors, technology applications, and other business-related innovations impacting rural economies. Purpose, market, customers, stage of business development, and impacts on rural economies pertaining to the business innovation and its industry should be provided.

Required paper or poster abstract content for this track, use the following headings:

• Introduction
• Innovation Description
• Key Discussion Questions
• Industry Impacts & Conclusions
• References (APA style, Version 7)

Additional required information on the online submission form:

• Short Bio (<100 words) for each author
• Abstract Summary (100-200 words)
• Keywords (up to 6)
• Digital Program Description (50-word summary for the symposium digital program)

Use this Link to Submit Abstract

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