What is it?
#EstillRising is a one-day, conference-style event taking place in downtown Irvine, Kentucky on Friday, July 29th, 2016 from 9-5 PM. Participants can choose one of five track sessions to learn more about their chosen topic and how other communities have accomplished some of the things we want to accomplish. Lunch and a keynote speaker will take place between the two halves of the track sessions. Then, in the afternoon, everyone pulls back together to share some plans for moving forward and we'll have a fun project for everyone to take part in before we dismiss for the day. The entire event will take place in different locations (within walking distance from each other) around downtown Irvine.
#EstillRising is a one-day, conference-style event taking place in downtown Irvine, Kentucky on Friday, July 29th, 2016 from 9-5 PM. Participants can choose one of five track sessions to learn more about their chosen topic and how other communities have accomplished some of the things we want to accomplish. Lunch and a keynote speaker will take place between the two halves of the track sessions. Then, in the afternoon, everyone pulls back together to share some plans for moving forward and we'll have a fun project for everyone to take part in before we dismiss for the day. The entire event will take place in different locations (within walking distance from each other) around downtown Irvine.
What are the track sessions?
I. E'er'body on the trails! Lynn Tatum and Mayor Jason Medley from Livingston in Rockcastle County will be presenting about how Livingston became a certified Kentucky Trail Town. They will also address what has happened since the certification and how certification has affected the community.
II. Return of the Mack! Debra Hoskins from the Grand Theatre in Lancaster, Garrard County will be telling some of the story about how the Grand has gained a new life as a community arts venue. She will also be presenting about how their venue operates and is sustained, including how they choose and attract programming and who their patrons are.
III. Guess who's coming to dinner? Amanda Kelly from Southeast Kentucky Economic Development will be presenting about how to do business with non-locals. If visitors come to town, how is serving them different than serving people who live here? How can you reach out-of-towners to let them know about you? What are the most effective online avenues to reach new customers?
IV. Arts for all! Julie Wagner and Gemma Ziegler from the Arts Council of Mercer County in Harrodsburg will be presenting about how their organization engages the community in the arts. They have a downtown gallery, regular classes, and an annual juried art show, and they will be sharing some of the best practices they have learned and how they keep their outstanding organization moving forward.
V. Y'all remember that one time? William Bennett from the Hardin County History Museum in Elizabethtown will be presenting about their amazing museum and how it operates. They have an outstanding volunteer program (with no paid employees), a beautifully curated museum that's open 5 days a week, and community programs including a youth history summer camp.
I. E'er'body on the trails! Lynn Tatum and Mayor Jason Medley from Livingston in Rockcastle County will be presenting about how Livingston became a certified Kentucky Trail Town. They will also address what has happened since the certification and how certification has affected the community.
II. Return of the Mack! Debra Hoskins from the Grand Theatre in Lancaster, Garrard County will be telling some of the story about how the Grand has gained a new life as a community arts venue. She will also be presenting about how their venue operates and is sustained, including how they choose and attract programming and who their patrons are.
III. Guess who's coming to dinner? Amanda Kelly from Southeast Kentucky Economic Development will be presenting about how to do business with non-locals. If visitors come to town, how is serving them different than serving people who live here? How can you reach out-of-towners to let them know about you? What are the most effective online avenues to reach new customers?
IV. Arts for all! Julie Wagner and Gemma Ziegler from the Arts Council of Mercer County in Harrodsburg will be presenting about how their organization engages the community in the arts. They have a downtown gallery, regular classes, and an annual juried art show, and they will be sharing some of the best practices they have learned and how they keep their outstanding organization moving forward.
V. Y'all remember that one time? William Bennett from the Hardin County History Museum in Elizabethtown will be presenting about their amazing museum and how it operates. They have an outstanding volunteer program (with no paid employees), a beautifully curated museum that's open 5 days a week, and community programs including a youth history summer camp.
Who is the keynote speaker?

Becky McCray is a small town business owner, and has been since she started her first business venture in junior high school. She and her husband Joe own a retail liquor store and a cattle ranch in Northwest Oklahoma. She shares insights drawn from her real-world experience at her highly-ranked website, Small Biz Survival, and in her award-winning book, Small Town Rules, co-authored with Chicago entrepreneur Barry Moltz. She also shares her useful strategies as a speaker in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. Her practical perspective is often featured in a wide range of media, from The New York Times to The High Plains Journal.
Becky’s wide experience includes work as a small town city administrator, a non-profit executive, an antiques store owner, and a teacher of computer and business classes. In 2004, she was an unsuccessful candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, losing by just one vote per precinct. She believes we learn from both our successes and our failures, even when those failures are printed in the local newspaper.
She makes her home base in Hopeton, Oklahoma, a community of 30 people. Her goal is to deliver practical steps you can put into action right away to shape the future of your town.
Becky’s wide experience includes work as a small town city administrator, a non-profit executive, an antiques store owner, and a teacher of computer and business classes. In 2004, she was an unsuccessful candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, losing by just one vote per precinct. She believes we learn from both our successes and our failures, even when those failures are printed in the local newspaper.
She makes her home base in Hopeton, Oklahoma, a community of 30 people. Her goal is to deliver practical steps you can put into action right away to shape the future of your town.
How is this funded?
This project is funded by an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Flex-E-Grant through the Kentucky Department for Local Government and administered by Brushy Fork Institute at Berea College. Flex-E-Grant funds are made available to economically distressed ARC counties in Kentucky for projects that build local capacity.
Registration for #EstillRising costs $20/participant. This includes lunch and an #EstillRising T-shirt. Your registration payment counts toward the required match we must provide to receive the grant funds.
This project is funded by an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Flex-E-Grant through the Kentucky Department for Local Government and administered by Brushy Fork Institute at Berea College. Flex-E-Grant funds are made available to economically distressed ARC counties in Kentucky for projects that build local capacity.
Registration for #EstillRising costs $20/participant. This includes lunch and an #EstillRising T-shirt. Your registration payment counts toward the required match we must provide to receive the grant funds.
Who should do this?
Anyone who is interested in moving the community forward. There are multiple organizations who are working to improve the quality of life in Estill County and they have great members, but there are many folks who want to get involved and don't know how. #EstillRising is a perfect opportunity for people interested in getting more involved to get a good introduction to what is already happening and learn about how to take things to the next level.
Anyone who is interested in moving the community forward. There are multiple organizations who are working to improve the quality of life in Estill County and they have great members, but there are many folks who want to get involved and don't know how. #EstillRising is a perfect opportunity for people interested in getting more involved to get a good introduction to what is already happening and learn about how to take things to the next level.
What is the agenda?
The entire event takes place on Friday, July 29th, 2016.
8:30 AM - Check-in and light breakfast
9:00 AM - Welcome and introductions
9:30 AM - Morning track sessions
11:15 AM - Keynote presentation
12:30 PM - Lunch
1:30 PM - Afternoon track sessions
3:00 PM - Full group session and fun project work
4:30 PM - Wrap-up and dismissal
The entire event takes place on Friday, July 29th, 2016.
8:30 AM - Check-in and light breakfast
9:00 AM - Welcome and introductions
9:30 AM - Morning track sessions
11:15 AM - Keynote presentation
12:30 PM - Lunch
1:30 PM - Afternoon track sessions
3:00 PM - Full group session and fun project work
4:30 PM - Wrap-up and dismissal
How do I sign up?
Just fill out the form below! Registration payment can be made by using the paypal form or the other options listed on the registration.
Just fill out the form below! Registration payment can be made by using the paypal form or the other options listed on the registration.
FAQ
Q: How do the track sessions work? Do I sign up for one or two?
A: You sign up for one track session. The morning half will be different content than the afternoon half.
Q: Where should I park?
A: There is free parking all over downtown Irvine. Any of those spaces on or near Main Street will be fine.
Q: What is the address I am going to?
A: Locations are still being finalized. After you have registered, you will receive a reminder with more details before the event.
Q: I have dietary restrictions. Who do I tell?
A: You will receive a voucher for your lunch, so you may tell your restaurant server about any special needs.
Q: What is the dress code for the event?
A: Casual! We want you to be comfortable, so shorts and T-shirts are just fine.
Q: How do the track sessions work? Do I sign up for one or two?
A: You sign up for one track session. The morning half will be different content than the afternoon half.
Q: Where should I park?
A: There is free parking all over downtown Irvine. Any of those spaces on or near Main Street will be fine.
Q: What is the address I am going to?
A: Locations are still being finalized. After you have registered, you will receive a reminder with more details before the event.
Q: I have dietary restrictions. Who do I tell?
A: You will receive a voucher for your lunch, so you may tell your restaurant server about any special needs.
Q: What is the dress code for the event?
A: Casual! We want you to be comfortable, so shorts and T-shirts are just fine.