Upcoming Events
REAL Co-Lab tries to host events in conjunction with research, policy, and entrepreneurship. Check here for what's coming up.
Pay special attention to our Rural Business Roundtable series: events designed to bring together Montana business owners and experts to explore the impacts of policy shifts on rural economies and businesses. Register below for our upcoming sessions!
Rural Business Roundtable: Tourism
Virtual Zoom Event
April 13, 2026
Join us for our upcoming event, the State of Tourism for Businesses which is a part of our 2026 Rural Business Roundtable Series, sponsored by Wells Fargo. This Zoom-based series allows you to hear from industry experts and business owners who share real-world, hands-on experience regarding the most pressing issues in our rural economies.
Why attend?
- Get ahead! Gain insights on MT tourism trends and predictions from the Montana Department of Commerce and the real-world experiences of Montana business owners.
- Resources: Gain resources to help you predict trends for this summer's visitors and tools for how to plan and prepare your business for any downward trends.
- First-Hand Accounts: Hear from Montana business owners who are identifying trends in the tourism.
- Interactive Q&A: Get your specific questions answered by the panel.
Special thanks to our sponsor of the Rural Business Roundtable series, Wells Fargo.
Past Events
Events we've hosted previously include:
Rural Business Roundtable: Tariffs & Trade Part Two
Virtual Zoom Event
February 9, 2026
11:30 AM- 1:00 PM
Join the Montana World Trade Center CEO, Brigitta Miranda-Freer and a small panel of business owners as they review tariffs and the current trade environment. There will be room for questions at the conclusion of the discussion. Attendees of Rural Business Roundtables will also receive a discount code for 10% off Montana World Trade & Investment Day on May 12 in Butte.
To view insights from Spring 2025's Tariffs and Trade Roundtable, check out the online report.
Special thanks to our sponsor of the Rural Business Roundtable series, Wells Fargo.
June 11th
Running a rural business can feel isolating — but you’re not alone. This virtual event is all about coming together, sharing stories, making connections, and supporting one another across the miles — no travel required.
Connect with business owners and service providers statewide. Includes small group networking in a friendly environment.
Register below to join us on June 11th from 12:15pm - 1:00pm.
Meagher County Town Hall: Thriving Rural Communities Research
Virtual Zoom Event
February 24, 2026
11:30 AM- 1:00 PM
Join the University of Montana’s Thriving Rural Communities: Meagher County research team for a brief virtual Town Hall on February 26, 2026. The team will share early survey findings and offer attendees the chance to ask questions and engage directly with the researchers about the study’s emerging themes and next steps.
Date: February 26, 2026
Time: 9:30–10:30 AM
Location: Zoom (registration below)
If you cannot attend, the research team will be in Meagher County from March 24–27 hosting focus groups, interviews, and an additional in‑person Town Hall. Contact us for further questions.
Launch Parties: Meagher County & Missoula
We're so thankful for the support at our launch parties. These events weren't just about celebrating- they're about bringing people together who believe in the power of rural entrepreneurs. Whether you showed up, donated, or simply helped spread the word, you're a big part of making this work possible. We couldn't do it without you, and we're excited to keep building this platform together!
White Sulphur Springs Launch Party
On November 4th, 2024, the REAL Co-Lab gathered in White Sulphur Springs, Montana to celebrate the launch of REAL Communities Thriving. Hosted at The Edith Hotel, the event welcomed business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community supporters, all dedicated to strengthening rural economies through local businesses.
The evening kicked off with a business tour, showcasing incredible ventures in White Sulphur Springs. Guests then enjoyed a night of networking, storytelling, and fundraising, with a silent and live auction led by Katya Peterson. This was an amazing, exciting evening of working together to support research that will amplify the voices and successes of rural businesses, starting right in White Sulphur Springs.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Stockman Bank, Opportunity Bank, and Clearwater Credit Union, we had a successful launch party and made significant progress toward our fundraising goals. The celebration did not end there- attendees capped off the night with drinks at Bar 47, a perfect ending to an inspiring night.
Missoula Launch Party
The Missoula Launch Party for the REAL Co-Lab took place on September 19th, 2024. It was an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and support for rural entrepreneurs. Held at the Montana Museum of Art and Culture, the event brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and allies who believe in the power of rural businesses. The night was filled with engaging conversations, inspiring stories, and a shared commitment to advancing research that will drive real impact.
Guests enjoyed a warm and welcoming atmosphere surrounded by incredible art, setting the perfect state for the launch of REAL Communities Thriving- our newest research project focused on understanding the key factors behind the success of businesses in rural communities. We also shared highlights from the past year, including business finance events, a pilot program, and in-depth reports on access and capital.
