2026 Rural Innovation Network Summit FAQ

The Summit will take place in downtown Emporia, Kansas. More information on the specific venue will be released at a later date.

There are three airports within a reasonable distance of Emporia. However, rideshare services like Lyft and Uber may not be available for travel to or from the area. We recommend renting a car or carpooling with other Network members, whichever option best fits your needs and budget.

• 2 hours (130 miles) from Kansas City International Airport (MCI) – Kansas City, MO
• 1 hour and 30 minutes (94 miles) from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) – Wichita, KS
• 1 hour and 30 minutes (80 miles) from Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK) – Manhattan, KS

Core team members and ecosystem builders are welcome! Community leaders who have worked or will be working with CORI will find the Summit valuable.

Please feel free to stay where it is comfortable for you. A limited number of discounted rooms will be available through a room block, which will be released at a later date. Please note that this block is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations, payments, and cancellations, if necessary.

Dress code is business casual.

Please contact Sydney Read, Associate, Events and Storytelling, at sydney.read@ruralinnovation.us.