2015-03 Faulkner County Business Journal

March 2015

Setting a new standard in Arkansas for recycling

JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling accepts scrap metal, electronics PAGE 6D

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Faulkner County Business Journal

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Conway Chamber’s Annual Meeting award recipients named An awards ceremony recognizing individuals and businesses that have made a difference in Conway over the past year is one of the highlights of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting. The following award recipients will be recognized at the 2015 event, which is scheduled for March 19 at the University of Central Arkansas’ HPER Center.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is the Chamber’s highest form of recognition. Established in 1957, this award is presented annually to an individual or group who has rendered special service for the benefit of the community. Candidates have demonstrated an active leadership role for the betterment of the community through their involvement in business, civic and social service organizations.

Mr. Strange was instrumental in launching a degree program in insurance and risk management at the University of Central Arkansas, which has become one of the top 15 collegiate insurance programs in the nation. Mr. Strange is also a civic leader and philanthropist. He has helped with numerous capital campaigns and fundraising efforts in support of Hendrix College, UCA, Conway High School, the Boys and Girls Club, Braves Field, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation.

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Linda Tyler, Distinguished Service Award

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Stephen L. Strange Sr., Distinguished Service Award

Stephen L. Strange Sr. President, American Management Corporation Stephen L. Strange Sr. is president and founder of American Management Corporation. He grew AMC from a small insurance agency to a major corporation that serves insurance companies, petroleum companies, franchise operations, and independent insurance brokers and agents. With 200 employees in downtown Conway, the company has helped transform the area into a hub for whitecollar jobs.

Linda Tyler Human Resources Executive, TargetSmart Communications As a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Linda Tyler is a well-known leader in Conway.

During her term in the state legislature from 2009-2012, Ms. Tyler chaired the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee and co-chaired the Taskforce for Abused and Neglected Children.

Ms. Tyler’s volunteer and community service is extensive. She is the current chairperson of the Conway Regional Foundation Board and served on the board for Conway Regional Health System for 12 years, including as board chairperson from 1989-1990. Other community service involvement has included the National Association for the

Advancement of Colored People, the University of Central Arkansas board, and the National Kidney Foundation, among others. Ms. Tyler is a human resources executive at TargetSmart Communications and previously worked as a senior executive for Acxiom.

Good Neighbor Award

Established in 1973, the Good Neighbor Award is presented annually to an individual who has given of his or her time and talents. Candidates are known for going beyond the call of duty to help others. The nominee exemplifies outstanding public service to the Conway area.

Debra Robinson Executive Director, Faulkner County Senior Citizens Center Debra Robinson has devoted her career to enriching the lives of senior citizens in Faulkner County. For more than 35 years, she has served as executive director of the Faulkner County Council on Aging, which consists of six senior citizens centers, including the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness & Activity Center in Conway. Ms. Robinson led the $2 million fundraising campaign to purchase and renovate the new Conway Center. Since it opened at its new location in September 2014, daily attendance has increased by nearly 50 percent and activity participation has

increased by 75 percent. She also oversees the program’s meal delivery service, which prepares and delivers more than 70,000 meals to seniors’ homes each year.

Ms. Robinson’s expertise in her field is widely respected; she has appeared before the U.S. Congress to address issues pertaining to senior citizens.

Business Executive of the Year

The Business Executive of the Year Award recognizes the owner, executive or president of a business who has displayed outstanding performance in either an individual or collaborative endeavor. The nominee is a driving force behind the company and works to maintain an enriched business climate and an enhanced quality of life in Conway.

Todd Ross President & CEO, Preferred Medical Todd Ross is president and CEO of Preferred Medical. Mr. Ross purchased the medical supply company in 2002 and relocated it from North Little Rock to Conway. Since the acquisition, sales have increased from $1 million to $50 million annually.

Mr. Ross serves on a number of boards related to his industry and the community. He is the chairman-elect for the Health Industry Trade Association, a national medical supply association, and is on the board of directors for the Health Industry Distributor Association. Mr. Ross is also a member of the University of Central Arkansas Foundation’s board of directors, where he is on the facilities committee. He has purchased buildings and property in downtown Conway with plans to enhance the area with additional entertainment, dining, office space and housing options.

Young Business Leader of the Year

The Young Business Leader Award recognizes a community business leader, age 40 or younger, who has helped create a more vibrant business and social environment for all of Conway’s residents.

Danny Patel General Manager/Owner, Country

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Debra Robinson, Good Neighbor Award

CHAMBER < 3D

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CHAMBER from 2D Inn & Suites Danny Patel is the owner and general manager of Country Inn & Suites.

The hotel has received numerous awards since it opened in 2009, including the Trip Advisor Excellent Hotel Award (2009-2014), the Best Guest Satisfaction Award (2010-2014), as well as the President’s Award (2010-2014) and Best Hotel Award (2010) from Country Inn & Suites.

Mr. Patel devotes his time and services to support causes dear to him. He offers free hotel accommodations to veterans and to the Arkansas Association for the Blind. He is an active membe of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, the Conway Development Corporation, and serves as a commissioner for the Conway Advertising and Promotion Commission. In 2012, Mr. Patel received the Chamber’s Minority Enterprise Development Outstanding Entrepreneur award.

Business of the Year

The Business of the Year Award recognizes businesses for their continued growth, innovation and community involvement. It is the premier honor to the best overall business in Conway and is presented in the following categories: Outstanding Nonprofit, Outstanding Hospitality, Outstanding Retailer, Outstanding Large Employer (100 employees or more), and Outstanding Small Business (99 employees or fewer).

OUTSTANDING NONPROFIT Faulkner County Council on Aging/Senior Citizens Center The Faulkner County Council on Aging’s mission is to help senior adults remain active and independent and to enhance their quality of life. Established in 1974 as a small program in Conway, the organization now manages six senior citizens centers, prepares more than 135,000 meals each year for the centers as well as for home delivery, and provides transportation to seniors’ medical appointments.

Forty years after its founding, the Faulkner County Council on Aging completed a $2 million “Make It Happen” campaign to purchase and renovate a new 18,750-square-foot Conway center.

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Since it opened in September 2014, the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness and Activity Center has experienced a nearly 50 percent increase in daily attendance. Various, no-cost outreach programs and services, including a new fitness center, have led to a 75 percent increase in activity participation.

OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITY

Conway Management Inc. Conway Management Inc. is a privately owned investment company specializing in hotel ownership, management and consulting. Four local hotels – Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Comfort Suites, Candlewood Suites, and Comfort Inn & Suites – comprise Conway Management. The company also owns How Do You Roll?, a fast-casual sushi restaurant located in The Village at Hendrix.

Whether the goal is to provide comfortable accommodations to tourists and business travelers or to bring an unconventional food establishment to Conway diners, Conway Management keeps excellent customer service at the forefront.

The company has been part of the Conway community for more than 30 years and continues to look for ways to enhance the place it calls home.

OUTSTANDING RETAILER

Bell & Sward Gentlemen’s Clothier When Bell & Sward Gentlemen’s Clothier opened its doors in April 2014, it became Conway’s first clothing store in 15 years to cater exclusively to men.

Bell & Sward has not only filled a void in the community when it comes to men’s fashion; it also has helped enhance downtown Conway’s reputation as a shopping destination. The retailer carries a number of brands typically only available in more populated areas, attracting shoppers from around central Arkansas.

Customers can expect to receive a personalized shopping experience at Bell & Sward – from wardrobe planning to custom tailoring. Owners Erik Sward and Zanette Bell are usually on hand to provide one-on-one assistance to each customer who walks in the door.

OUTSTANDING LARGE EMPLOYER

Conway Regional Health System With 1,260 employees and $60 million in total workforce compensation, Conway Regional Health System is among the largest employers in Faulkner County. Conway Regional works to improve the health of the communities it serves through its acute-care medical center, rehabilitation hospital, nationally recognized fitness center, outpatient imaging center, therapy centers, and its six medical clinics located throughout Faulkner County and surrounding counties.

Conway Regional’s compassion for the community was most evident in April 2014 when the Emergency Department staff cared for more than 120 patients after a tornado struck the communities of Mayflower and Vilonia.

President Barack Obama recognized the staff’s life-saving efforts during his visit to the state following the storms.

In September 2014, Conway Regional became the first organization in its fivecounty market area to receive the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s Quality Award for its commitment to excellence in medical care.

OUTSTANDING LARGE EMPLOYER

Klaasmeyer Construction Company Eugene Klaasmeyer founded Klaasmeyer Construction Company in 1971 with one cable plow, one backhoe and five employees. The Conway-based utility contracting company has since grown to a $30 million-a-year business with 140 full-time employees, a large number of subcontractors, and a client portfolio spanning 12 states. Klaasmeyer Construction is the master contractor for Windstream Communications. The company also has worked for AT&T, Verizon, CenturyTel, DeSoto Gathering Company, Arkwest Communications, Level 3 Communications, and other independent companies in the region.

In its early years, Klaasmeyer Construction brought the first telephone service to several rural communities in Arkansas. Today the company brings high-speed, fiber optic service to homes and businesses as well as constructs water and natural gas pipelines. As part of its scope of work, Klaasmeyer Construction responds to hurricanes, ice storms

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and tornadoes and provides volunteer assistance to local communities affected by natural disasters.

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS

Arkansas Eye Care Group Arkansas Eye Care Group offers a full spectrum of optometric eye care services, including complete eye exams, contact lenses and glasses, glaucoma testing, pre-operative and post-operative surgical care, low-vision rehabilitation, and LASIK eye surgery. The eye care clinic relocated its practice to the western side of Conway to provide convenient service to residents in that growing part of the city. Arkansas Eye Care Group also has an office in Clinton.

The clinic’s four optometrists – Dr. Shane Ford, Dr. Eric Robbins, Dr. Hunter Scaife and Dr. James McCoy – have been active members of their state and national associations since beginning their practice. The doctors’ commitment to their industry is reflected in Arkansas Eye Care Group’s comprehensive services and exceptional care. The clinic provides free vision care and glasses for the Vision USA program and the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation.

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS

Arkansas Roofing Kompany/ Equinox Outdoor Concepts Arkansas Roofing Kompany is a fullservice roofing company serving the residential and commercial roofing market. Its sister organization, Equinox Outdoor Concepts, specializes in solarpowered louvered roofs that transform outdoor spaces with the touch of a button. To date, the company has installed more than 100 solar-powered louvered patio coverings on residential and commercial projects across the state. Arkansas Roofing Kompany and Equinox Outdoor Concepts have participated in 15 home shows and local events in Arkansas, winning “Best of Show” in the 2014 Northwest Arkansas Home Show in Springdale.

Owners Debbie and Tim Goodwin consistently give their time and resources to better the community. The couple designed two areas for the 2014 Conway

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Setting a New Standard in Arkansas for Recycling JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling accepts scrap metal, electronics Since opening in the fall of 2012, JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling and U-Pull It of Conway’s mission has been simple---to BE THE BEST! Be the best with customer service, be the best with honest business practices, be the best in our industry.

This 2nd and 3rd generation run business has dedicated itself to providing the top level service our community expects and deserves.

JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling still pays cash for your scrap metal, from tin and aluminum to copper, old car bodies and brass.

Whether you are a consumer or business, large or small, JSI stands ready to maximize your scrap for the best price. Along with being able to bring your scrap to them, JSI offers a wide range of commercial services which include a fleet of trucks, roll-off boxes and trailers to assist in whatever your on-site project or job may require.

They offer a clean, neat environment and friendly service. Their certified scale and pull through nonferrous material drop off is set up with the customer in mind. A knowledgeable and friendly staff is there to help you with your recyclables so that you can be in and out quickly.

They operate as a good corporate citizen, following all applicable laws to do their part in cutting down on theft and maintaining standards that are environmentally safe.

And now, JSI is proud to announce they are accepting electronics. You can bring your electronics to JSI any day of the week for no charge. What electronics can you recycle?

• Computer Monitors • Laptops • Computers/Desktops

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A Fuchs machine unloads scrap metal from a customer’s trailer.

• All-in-one PCs • Cell Phones • Networking Equipment • Servers • Telecom Equipment • DVD Players The only item not accepted for recycling is CRT glass.

According to one report, nearly 75% of old electronics continue to be stored in households and businesses

because of the unavailability of convenient recycling options. I bet you didn’t know, by recycling your old cell phone, you are recycling gold, silver, palladium and copper. Do you have an old laptop, printer, or fax machine taking up space in your closet?

Spring is now here, and what better way to start that spring cleaning than to bring those old electronic

“Being able to assure customers and companies that their sensitive personal and business data is destroyed responsibly and permanently will allow them to recycle their electronics with us without worry.”

—

Raegan Moore

pieces and scrap metal to JSI. Electronic, or E-recycling, with JSI is now your convenient option!

The thought of recycling electronics can be a little unnerving to most, but JSI wants to put your mind at rest. JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling utilizes the R2/RIOS (Responsible Recycling Practices/Recycling Industry Operating Standard) standard. The R2/RIOS certification is solely for electronics recyclers to demonstrate to customers that electronic equipment is being recycled with the highest standards for environmental protection, worker and customer health and safety, data privacy and facility security. JSI wants to meet the highest recycling benchmarks so that their customers can be reassured their scrap electronics

JSI METAL < 7D

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JSI METAL from 6D are processed correctly and responsibly. Data security and environmental compliance are crucial when recycling electronics.

“We are very excited about e-recycling. Being able to assure customers and companies that their sensitive personal and business data is destroyed responsibly and permanently will allow them to recycle their electronics with us without worry,” said Raegan Moore.

We cannot forget to mention our sister business, U-Pull It of Conway.

U-Pull It of Conway, located at 850 Simon Road in Conway, is the best option for the budget-conscious, doit-yourself crowd.

With over 5 acres of cars, trucks,

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minivans, and SUV’s, customers are almost guaranteed to find what they are looking for.

With a friendly, helpful staff and new inventory out weekly, U-Pull It of Conway is the new standard for pulling your own parts in Central Arkansas!

The most exciting news yet for JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling and Arkansas is that JSI has been certified as a WOSB/WBE (Woman Owned Small Business/Woman Business Enterprise).

“With the standards we follow everyday on the job and our certification as WOSB/WBE, we are energized about the future of JSI and UPI in Conway,” said Susan Linn McCoy. “Big or small, we can handle the job!”

This machine loads scrap metal into the baler to crush into bales.

Women in Business Roundtable

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Female college students from the University of Central Arkansas and Central Baptist College attended a “Women in Business” roundtable on Wednesday, March 11, hosted by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. Women in Business award recipients from 2012 to 2014 met with the 17 juniors and seniors in small groups. They facilitated discussion about mentorship and what it means to be a successful woman in business and offered advice to empower the soon-to-be college graduates. Following the 45-minute roundtable, the eight professionals formed an open panel and took questions from the students. The panelists included Melissa Britton, Tess Fletcher, Jackie Fliss, Toby Hart, Crystal Kemp, Linda Linn, Candace Meeks and Michelle Parsley.

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Faulkner County Business Journal

TOP RESIDENTIAL SALES, MARCH

Address.............Beds/Baths.........Subdivision..........SQFT..........$/SqFt.......Built 54 Richland Hills...........5/3/0.................Richland Hills.............3584...............106.86...........1995 1745 Centennial Club....4/3/1................Centennial Valley........3355 ..............111.77...........2002 3235 Marlsgate Drive....4/4/0.................Falcon Crest................3700...............100.00...........2003 1065 Applewood Cove.....4/3/1................Applewood Cove.........3315...............102.26...........2006 1405 S Salem...................5/4/0................Southwind..................3339.................97.33...........2007

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Central Landing developer to speak at Annual Meeting William Wilson, president and CEO of Jim Wilson & Associates, will be the featured guest at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting. The business event – underwritten by Southwestern Energy and presented by Crafton Tull, HewlettPackard and the University of Central Arkansas Foundation – will take place Thursday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. in UCA’s recently renovated HPER Center.

Wilson oversees development activities for Jim Wilson & Associates, a privately owned real estate company specializing in shopping centers, residential real estate investments, offices, condominiums, hotels and mixed-use developments. The Montgomery-based company is currently developing Central Landing at the former site of the Conway airport. The 150-acre, mixeduse development is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

In his role at Jim Wilson & Associates, Will Wilson is responsible for site selection and acquisitions, negotiations with retail tenants, expansion of existing projects, and all aspects of planning and developing new projects.

The Alabama native began his real estate career in 1990 in the offices of California-based Donahue Schreiber before returning to his home state in 1992 to head the development department for Jim Wilson & Associates.

In addition to the CEO-level guest speaker, another highlight of Annual Meeting is an awards presentation honoring individuals and businesses that have made a difference in Conway over the past year. The awards sponsor is 501 LIFE.

William Wilson

Leadership trainer, educator to deliver keynote at inaugural awards luncheon Charlotte Strickland, founder and owner of Strickly Speaking, will be the guest speaker at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Administrative Professionals Awards luncheon. The inaugural event is set for 11:30 a.m. on Administrative Professionals Day – Wednesday, April 22 – and will take place in Childers Dining Hall at Central Baptist College.

Strickland currently serves as professional development and training coordinator at the University of Central Arkansas, where she provides campuswide training on subjects such as diversity, customer service, workplace harassment and supervisory skills. She has worked in higher education for 30 years, coordinating academic courses in

orientation, ethics and leadership and providing leadership seminars to student organizations.

In 1989, Strickland joined Designs for Development, a company that specializes in training student leaders across the United States. In 2002, she founded her own company, Strickly Speaking. In addition to college campuses, her audiences include churches, civic groups, government agencies and corporations. Most recently, Strickland joined Speakers of Significance, a Texas-based company that offers the services of 14 speakers to companies, colleges and communities across the country.

Strickland, a native of Little Rock, earned a business degree from UCA and a master’s degree in higher educa-

tion from the University of South Carolina. She and her husband, Mark, live in Conway and have three children – Reed, Connor and Alyssa.

The inaugural Administrative Professionals Awards luncheon honors administrative support staff, executive assistants, office and facility managers, office clerks, receptionists, and other administrative professionals. The nomination process for the Outstanding Administrative Professional Award has ended, and the finalists will be announced prior to the event.

To purchase tickets to the Administrative Professionals Awards luncheon, contact chief operating officer Lindsay Henderson at 501-932-5403 or Lindsay@ConwayArkansas.org.

Charlotte Strickland

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CHAMBER from 3D Symphony Orchestra Designer House, volunteer regularly with the Arkansas Dream Center, and hire and train college students for apprenticeships.

About Annual Meeting In addition to the awards, Annual Meeting features a CEO-level speaker. This year’s speaker is William Wilson, president of Jim Wilson & Associates, a

Faulkner County Business Journal

Montgomery-based, privately owned real estate company. The company specializes in shopping centers, residential real estate investments, offices, condominiums, hotels and mixed-use developments.

Jim Wilson & Associates is currently developing Central Landing, a 150-acre, mixed-use development located at the former site of the Conway airport. Central Landing is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

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The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and 501 Life, the 2015 Annual Meeting Awards sponsor, recognized this year’s Annual Meeting honorees during a reception at Zimmerman events center. More than 80 nominations were submitted this year.

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Toad Suck Daze, United Way partner to sell corporate T-shirts Toad Suck Daze is partnering with United Way of Central Arkansas to sell corporate festival T-shirts. United Way is accepting corporate orders now until Tuesday, March 31.

Corporate orders must consist of a minimum of 10 shirts. The shirts range in price from $15 to $20, depending on size. Corporate T-shirts are customized to include a business or organization’s logo on the left sleeve at no additional cost. The logo will be either black or white, depending on the shirt color.

The 2015 T-shirt is available in multiple colors for youth and adults sizes. This year’s festival design features “Toad Suck Daze 2015” written in an outline of the state of Arkansas.

Proceeds from Toad Suck Daze, including T-shirt sales, support the festival’s primary goal – raising money to promote education initiatives in Faulkner County. To date, the festival has awarded more than $1.5 million in the form of direct scholarships, endowments and a pre-K initiative.

This year, United Way of Central Arkansas will receive $1 for every corporate T-shirt sold. Proceeds will benefit 19 funded partner agencies in Faulkner County. To place a T-shirt order for your organization or company, email Kelsey Powell at k.powell@ uwark.org or call 501-327-5087 for an order form. Shirts will be available approximately two weeks after the deadline. Toad Suck Daze shirts for the public will be available at the Toad Store and at the festival, which takes place May 1-3. Additional designs will

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United Way of Central Arkansas is accepting corporate T-shirt orders through Tuesday, March 31.

United Way will receive $1 for every corporate Tshirt sold. Proceeds will benefit 19 funded partner agencies in Faulkner County.

be available, along with other merchandise.

The Toad Store is located at 1321 Oak Street and officially opens Saturday, March 28, at 10 a.m. Its regular business hours will be Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Toad Store will be open on select Sundays leading up to the festival. To learn more about United Way of Central Arkansas and to view a complete list of funded partner agencies, visit www.unitedwaycentralark. org. For more information about Toad Suck Daze, visit ToadSuck.org.

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Faulkner County Business Journal

EconomyGlance Unemployment Rate

Annual US............................................6.2% Arkansas.................................6.4% Faulkner County.................... 5.9% Conway....................................5.8% Sales Tax Collections Conway* December 2014...............................$2,423,269 2013.................................2,300,576 Percent Change 5.3% Annual 2014.............................$23,416,628 2013.............................$23,235,891 2012...............................22,944,163 Percent Change 2013-14 .78% *Tax Rate 1.75%

Faulkner County*

December 2014..................................$872,877 2013....................................818,592 Percent Change 6.6% Annual 2014...............................$8,774,109 2013.................................8,588,835 2012.................................8,465,686 Percent Change 2013-14 2.2% *Tax Rate 0.5%

Restaurant Sales*

January 2015.............................$13,829,457 2014...............................12,461,251 Percent Change 10.9% Annual Sales 2014...........................$176,205,965 2013...........................$164,519,369 2012...........................$161,318,563 Percent Change 2013-14 7.1% *Including mixed drink sales

Hotel Sales

January

2014...............................$1,274,112 2013................................1,216,242 Percent Change 4.8% Annual Sales 2014.............................$19,336,169 2013...............................18,559,308 2012...............................18,683,677 Percent Change 2013 – 2014 4.2%

Conway Building Permits

Single Family Homes Annual 2014.............................119 permits 2013............................147 Permits 2012............................186 Permits 2011...............................53 Permits Percent Change 2013 – 2014 -19.0% Average Construction Cost* Annual 2014..................................$220,311 2013....................................228,275 2012....................................207,537 2011...................................204,387 Percent Change 2013 – 2014 -3.5% *Not including land or lot improvements Average Square Footage* Annual 2014........................................2,929 2013........................................3,002 2012........................................2,910 2011......................................-2,814 Percent Change 2013-2014 -2.4% Average Construction Cost Per Square Foot* Annual 2014......................................$75.22 2013........................................76.04 2012........................................71.33 2011........................................72.64 Percent Change

2013 – 2014 -1.1% * Total under roof vv

Lottery Sales

Faulkner County Year to Date February 2015...............................$2,732,461 2014.................................2,525,487 Percent Change 8.2 % Annual 2014.............................$14,193,204 2013...............................17,038,277 2012...............................16,943,909 Percent Change 2013 - 2014 -16.7% Total State Year to Date February 2015.............................$77,139,315 2014...............................69,550,685 Percent Change 10.9% Annual 2014...........................$401,251,365 2013.............................432,932,799 2012.............................452,245,215 Percent Change 2013 - 2014 -7.3%

Natural Gas

Severance Tax Distribution Conway Annual 2014..................................$363,837 2013....................................276,523 2012....................................162,523 Percent Change 2013 - 2014 31.6% Faulkner County Annual 2014..................................$296,411 2013....................................224,455 2012....................................131,418 Percent Change 2013 – 2014 32.1% Information provided by Pulse of Conway

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Toad Suck memberships available March 28 What if your children could procure a “fast-pass” and hop to the front of the line at Toad Suck Daze’s popular Toad Races? This is just one exclusive benefit children ages 12 or under can receive through a Toad Suck Kids Club membership.

The Toad Suck Kids Club is a new part of Toad Suck Daze. Mary Margaret Satterfield, director of Toad Suck Daze and events at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Kids Club is a perfect fit for the largest, free-admission, family festival in Arkansas.

“Surveys have shown that families with children make up Toad Suck Daze’s largest group of attendees,” she said. “The Kids Club is a great way for this population to get the most out of their festival experience.”

For $25, Toad Suck Kids Club members receive a number of perks. A Kids Club T-shirt and wristband are part of the membership and serve as identification when claiming a goodie bag from the Toadal Kids Zone or seeking a spot in the Kids Club line at the Toad Races. Kids Club members also receive five Toad Bucks. Membership does not cease at the end of the festival; the Toad Master will mail each Kids Club member a card on his or her birthday.

Toad Suck Kids Club memberships will be available for purchase at the Toad Store, which opens Saturday, March 28, at 10 a.m. Parents can also order a Kids Club membership online at ToadSuck.org and pick it up at the Toad Store.

A fast-pass to the Toad Races means nothing without a toad. As is customary in Faulkner County, elementary-aged students will receive a Toad Toter at their schools prior to the festival.

These boxes, which are donated by International Paper and sponsored by the Log Cabin Democrat, are used to transport toads to Toad Races. A communitywide Toad Round-up takes place after the Toad Toter delivery and before the festival.

The 34th annual Toad Suck Daze festival will take place May 1-3 in downtown Conway. For more information about the festival, visit ToadSuck.org.

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