I’m a professional facilitator, so I know how to read where an audience is, and I could feel the energy in the crowd. During Becky’s presentation, I could feel like my whole body was electrified, like the feeling before lightning strikes.
Katie BooneMinnesota
I just listened in on your presentation and was completely blown away!! Hands down the best web presentation I have seen since I started working in ED.
Molly JeffresNebraska
In the first 15 minutes, I knew you were going to revolutionize the whole way we approach economic development.
Kathryn WitheringtonWashington
We are excited to have Becky McCray return for another INP event. Becky has a passion for rural communities and very practical and actionable advice that attendees can take home and use in their communities immediately.
Paul KimmellChairman of the Board of Directors
Inland Northwest Partners
Becky McCray was recommended to me by a person I respect, and therefore I was expecting a great presentation. But ‘great’ doesn’t even come close to what we got at our conference! We actually had an attendee call Becky’s presentation ‘epic’. I concur.
Tara SadCouncil of State Governments East, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Policy Consultant
I was sending photos to people back home during your talk because the ideas were immediately valuable.
Aaron MorgenIdaho
The ideas from Becky’s keynote folded in like butter to all our track sessions that followed.
Workshop track leaderKentucky
It’s like you’re living in my life! I wrote down ten a-ha! moments.
Michelle BurgessNorth Carolina
I was thunderstruck by your insightful comments and step-by-step instructions. I have been following your work and gleaned best practices for my work with undergraduates in eastern Kentucky for many years.
Peter H. HackbertKentucky
Love to see Becky McCray back in the area helping our small towns thrive! She visited Colfax a few years ago, and I was fortunate to attend her walking tour and discussion. Join together, small town citizens….we can do great things!
Crystal ChristophersonWashington
Y’all are awesome. That was such a great presentation; super valuable and so much fun to listen to. Thanks so much for bringing that energy to the RuralRISE audience today.
Jessica GlendinningEvent organizer, Virginia
We love using your Idea Friendly approach as part of our class projects. You truly are making a difference in rural communities across the globe, and I think it’s awesome that I can hold you up as an example of what innovative rural development looks like.
Professor Brian WhitacreOklahoma
This was a fantastic webinar chockablock with easy, doable, accessible ideas for inexpensive ec dev. Someone who attended even said it was the best webinar they’ve ever been to. Two plus years into a pandemic, that is quite a feat!
Heather HallgrimsonEvent organizer, Saskatchewan, Canada
“Finally getting to hear @BeckyMcCray speak! #goals Powerful grounding from her on the human psychology that underpins how communities often approach community and economic development. I feel like I’m in work therapy y’all and it’s so good.
Julia MalinowskiNorth Carolina
Becky, your session was everything I hope to learn and more. By having an interactive session where the audience could engage one another, I was able to gain valuable insight on how other communities are dealing with similar challenges. I was also able to share some of our best practices in engaging divisive community members and how to overcome some of those hurdles. My favorite takeaway was the Coffee and Calendars concept that you shared!
Keyne StricklandOhio
I’m going to be Room Rater and give Becky 10/10. Art, plant, great lighting, great sound. You’re being a good role model for presenting online.
Lisa SievertsVirtual event attendee, New Hampshire
Becky’s down-to-earth style and mastery of social media were warmly received by our clients at our annual symposium. It didn’t end there. Since spending time with us, Becky continued her online conversation with us, and Norfolk County continues to benefit from her generosity, expertise and wisdom.
Update: Nine years later, people still talk about your visit.Clark HoskinEvent organizer, Ontario, Canada
Becky is a very polished yet completely natural speaker, and that resonates with her audience. She was a star of our event, and a huge reason why it was so successful.
Mack CollierEvent organizer, Alabama
Becky McCray understands community and seamlessly becomes a part of any audience she encounters. More than just a speaker, Becky is a valued partner and an asset to me as an event organizer.
Cheryl LawsonEvent organizer, Oklahoma
I want to go out and change the world after listening to a mere 12 minutes of Becky McCray
Victoria HirschbergTennessee
I’ve been coming to these statewide conferences twice a year every year for 6 years now, and you’re the best speaker we’ve had. You were the most interactive and had the most useful information.
Tina WilsonIdaho
Even though your focus is on rural, as I watch, I realize that all of this can be applied at a micro level in larger communities too. We have a couple of neighborhoods undergoing revitalization in our Amarillo metro of 300k. Your concepts can absolutely be applied in these neighborhoods.
Gina WoodwardTexas
I work in marketing for a borough council in Surrey in the UK – a long way from Oklahoma but the issues are the same. I’m looking for ways to help the towns in our borough recover from COVID, and the ideas in your video are going to help hugely. I’ve found your information invaluable.
Rebecca HarrisSurrey, United Kingdom
The great thing is that the principles you discuss are as applicable here in rural Australia as they are in the USA!
David ScottNew South Wales, Australia
Got people energized with practical info. There’s a lot of fire-up speakers, but not a lot get the practical side.
Lynette FlageNorth Dakota
Consistently audiences rate her highly and go away energized and excited to tackle their business dreams, and always wanting more. She continues to be one of the most valuable resources I have found for small business!
Laura GirtyEvent organizer, Oklahoma
An hour ago I was fatalistic, now I’m hopeful.
Small business owner at a webinar watch partyMinnesota
Audience optimism showed a 16.77% increase after Becky McCray’s presentation.
Big Ideas for Small Towns eventNorth Dakota
The feedback from your presentation was 100% positive as many said we saved the best for last.
Cody Cox, event organizerOklahoma
People love listening to Becky McCray. She has such a revitalizing message.
Nancy DanielsEvent organizer, Kansas
We have had so many great comments about your solution-focused presentation. It is what small towns need to hear to become excited about their work. I forwarded a good recommendation to another conference regarding you and Deb today.
Paula JensenEvent organizer, South Dakota
Participants gave high regards in their evaluations, they said your content was wonderful, practical and empowering. One participant said that much of your content was so simple, it was mind blowing how they had so consistently overlooked what was right in front of them.
Janet Soto RodriguezEvent organizer, Oregon
Most informative and interesting session of the conference.
Audience evaluationOklahoma
Becky McCray totally rocked it and the ideas were doable and fabulous! I came home all fired up and giddy!!
Katy KassianNorth Dakota
That @BeckyMcCray knows her stuff. Our @amaokc surveys indicate she was EXTREMELY well received!
Kevin JessopEvent organizer, Oklahoma
Great classes with @beckymccray, you got the wheels in my brain turning all the way home.
Vicki ConleyColorado
Any time you get a chance to hear @BeckyMcCray talk about community development, you do it.
Kyle GoldingOklahoma
Note: standing room only for @BeckyMcCray
Daryl PhillipsTennessee
The keynote speaker was so down to earth. Even her dialogue was down to earth and to the point. She sounded very educated and special. Lots of speakers throw around big phrases, but she fits in anyplace. She could sit down and have a conversation with anyone anywhere.
Corene VaughnNorth Dakota
Thanks Becky for your AWESOME presentation Thursday! The Board really enjoyed it! Later in the meeting and now days after, there have been many conversations about how their communities are doing things now and how they could expand.
Jennifer MillerEvent organizer, Oklahoma
Lots of great ideas for small rural towns and small business owners who just want to try something out or expand their businesses. It’s so much about building a community and telling the stories about what works. Great presenter who is obviously passionate and genuine about what she does, and embodies economic development in her everyday work.
Kathleen CodeWebinar co-organizer, British Columbia, Canada
Always enjoy hearing what @BeckyMcCray has to say. #smtulsa keynote #4 and she never fails to impress.
Carlos MorenoOklahoma
Great empowering, invigorating opening keynote from @BeckyMcCray!
Eric T. TungTexas
@beckymccray lives what she preaches and you can tell. Excellent stuff
Josh PlochOklahoma
I am SO feeling this concept of the small town biz traits, it directly speaks to concepts of globalized business! I can dig it.
Contessa GibsonIllinois
It really brought value to our communities. The specific examples demonstrated what our communities could do.
Colleen BondEvent organizer, British Columbia, Canada
Great presentation with eye-opening opportunity I didn’t know was there.
Audience memberOregon
Outstanding speaker. Very helpful way to think about econ dev for small towns.
Audience memberOklahoma
One of the best webinars I’ve attended on business.
Lillian LakeOnline
I have had the good fortune to hear Becky McCray speak at several events over the past couple of years and I am always left with my brain feeling a little too big for my head. The thing is, she delivers it in such a down home, common sense way that you feel like a lot of what she’s saying was already inside you… somewhere. It just got lost through the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When a person’s message resonates with you this well, you know it’s the real deal.
Brian BlakeOklahoma
Amazing turnout today to hear from Becky McCray.
Becky is smart, entertaining, funny, engaging, enlightening, inspirational and aspirational and pushes the audience to think differently and challenge the existing way of doing things.
Great job by Becky.
Welcome to the Idea Friendly Revolution!Mike WallinWashington
Notebooks were filled with tips and photos were snapped to capture Becky’s impressions of the business districts, neighborhoods, recreational activities, parks and storefronts. Since that time in Downtown Longview, we have helped fill vacancies, hosted clean ups, hosted additional pop up events and two murals have been painted by private businesses. And Castle Rock has been adding more and more art pieces, a farmer market and has welcomed new businesses!
Cowlitz County Economic Development CouncilWashington
“When EF Hutton speaks, people listen.” That is Becky McCray when it comes to her impact on small business and small town America. Her knowledgeable background in development and community leadership positions, coupled with her dedicated years as an entrepreneur and business owner in small town USA, gives her the credibility and connection to her audience. Becky talks the talk, but she also walks the walk.
Jim BlankenshipTennessee
I have a sneaking suspicion that you could talk about anything and make it seem interesting.
Derrick ParkhurstEvent organizer, Oklahoma
Initially not interested, but the presenter and material changed my mind. Excellent information.
Audience memberOregon
Thanks so much for your presentation yesterday in Burnet! The take-aways were concrete with the ability to put them into practice as soon as I arrived home. Thanks again – I hope I get the opportunity to hear you again!
Attendee from Eden, Texas
Becky McCray should be your go-to person for inspiration and advice on #smalltown leadership and economic development processes that produce results!
Barton RussellPodcast producer, Florida
Enjoyed the webinar yesterday. Fantastic job on your end. Great way of communicating with simplicity and clarity.
Ben BoykinGeorgia
Very positive! Very rural! Very well presented!
Teri MyersOregon
No one knows small towns better than @beckymccray!
Leslie McLellanCalifornia
Bringing Becky was a stroke of genius.
In-person ParticipantOregon