Agriculture will be the focus of the sixth annual Rural Business Conference, set for May 30-31 in Logan — the first time the event will be in northern Utah.

The event at Utah State University's Taggart Student Center will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions and a business expo. U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, and the Utah Rural Development Council are co-hosting the conference.

"Agriculture continues to be a dominant economic force for many of Utah's rural communities," Bennett said in a prepared statement. "We have added several presentations on new opportunities for the agricultural entrepreneur to our usual lineup of practical, real-world advice for small-business owners."

May 30's activities will include a keynote presentation from Alan E. Hall, founder and chairman of Ogden-based marketing company MarketStar. Bennett will present remarks early Thursday, and the noon keynote speaker will be Steven C. Preston, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Breakout sessions will include "Blogging With Purpose"; "Entrepreneurial Agriculture"; "Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Visibility through Brand Awareness"; "Will it Blend? Innovative Marketing Techniques for a New Era"; "Maximizing Effectiveness: Improving Personal and Team Productivity"; "Deal or No Deal: Taking the Guesswork out of Small Business Financing"; "What Every Business Needs to Know about Protecting Digital Information"; and "Beyond Crops: Diversifying Farm Revenue."

The business expo will be the location for a reception for conference attendees on the evening of May 30. Details about booth reservations are available by calling Jessica Christopher in Bennett's office at 801-524—5933.

Conference attendance costs $25 and includes all sessions, lunch and the reception May 30, and breakfast on May 31. Details are available at www.ruralutah.com.

Previous conferences have taken place in Cedar City, St. George, Richfield, Price and Vernal.

If you go. . .

When: May 30-31

Where: Taggart Student Center, Utah State University, Logan

Cost: $25

Registration/information: www.ruralutah.com