2026 Awards Series - Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (02 Dec 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute

December 2, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. EST | 1:30 p.m. CST | 12:30 p.m. MST

This webinar is being hosted by the 2026 Entrepreneurial (Large Population) Mid-America EDC Economic Development Award Winner, Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute.

The Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute has been educating young Iowa entrepreneurs for 20 years. This program brings unique aspects of networking, educational opportunities, location, and mentorship together and has over 600 alumni of the program.

Learn about the how the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute has been educating college entrepreneurs for 20 years through making connections, supporting growth, and showcasing the Iowa Lakes Region of Northwest Iowa. We will talk about how the program started, how it has evolved in the past 20 years, and the work that makes a successful entrepreneurial program like this possible.

Who Should Attend:

Economic development professionals, municipal leaders, and chamber executives seeking to learn more about entrepreneurial education and creating the next generation of business and economic leaders.

PresenterS:

Alyssa Petersen is the Coordinator of Administration and Communication at the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation.
As a student at Buena Vista University, she had the opportunity to participate in the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute, and she has had the pleasure of being on the administrative and planning side of the program each year since.

Jenny Dykema is the Iowa Lakes Corridor's Office Coordinator and has worked alongside Alyssa for the past two years in planning events like OEI, and marketing and social media for the Corridor. She earned her undergraduate degree at Iowa State University and brings experience from her internship at the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from "Mid-America Economic Development Council ", with information about joining the webinar.

Annual Membership Meeting & Election (08 Dec 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Join us for the 2026 Annual Membership Meeting & Election!

At this meeting, Mid-America EDC members can join to hear more about the strategic plan, goals, and information about what is to come in 2027! We also will host the annual Board of Directors election, where members will vote on the membership slate, compiled by the 2026 Mid-America EDC Nominations Committee. Those directors voted-in will serve for a three year term. Board members are only eligible to serve two consecutive terms in the same position.

The annual membership meeting is free and open to members only.

Programming will include:

Jason Hickey from Hickey and Associates will provide a guest lecture on the impact of the 2026 Election on economic development in Mid-America.
The conclusion of the 2027 Board Slate vote, and the introduction of our new Board and Officers!

Vote here!

The conclusion of the Bylaws update vote. The board approved an update to the bylaws that will clarify membership levels, simplify the Board nomination process, transfer authority from the Executive Committee to the Committee Chairs, and streamline the membership meeting date.