Working Together to End the Pandemic (October 2021)

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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2021

BUSINESS JOURNAL

Working Together to End the Pandemic

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OCTOBER 2021

NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL

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2021 Diversity in Business Award Winners Announced The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of its annual Diversity in Business Awards.

This year’s recipients are: ARTURO MORAGA Outstanding Young Professional Presented to an individual between the ages of 21 - 39 who has committed themselves to business and community service. This award will be presented to a minority business owner or professional.

YGFBFKITCHEN RESTAURANT AND CATERING Outstanding Minority Business Presented to the business whose practices have had a significant impact on the community. This award will be presented to a minority business.

RAJU VYAS Outstanding Business Executive Presented to the owner, executive or leader of a business. This award recognizes executives in the community who have displayed outstanding performance in either an individual or collaborative endeavor. This person is a driving force behind the company and works to maintain an enriched business climate and an enhanced quality of life in Conway.

CORNELL MALTBIA Lifetime Achievement Celebrates high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment over a sustained period of time. The award is granted to an individual who has played an integral role in the creative, technical or professional progress of minority business development over the course of his/her life.

The Diversity in Business Awards recognize the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Conway area.

Through this event, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce aims to foster growth and sustainability of minority businesses and recognize minority businesses and their supporters.

Diversity in Business serves minority business enterprises that are owned or controlled by the following person(s) or group of persons: Black/African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Native American and Pacific Islander. Nominees and/or their business/ employer must be a member of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. Eligible nominees include, but are not limited to: business owners, business executives, nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms and institutions, universities and colleges, and representatives of local, state and federal governments who are members of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Diversity in Business Awards is presented by Conway Corp, Northwestern Mutual and Conway Regional Health System.

The award sponsor is First Community Bank and the speaker sponsor is Century 21 – Sandstone Real Estate Group.

Diversity in Business Advocates are Acxiom Corporation, Arvest Bank, Candlewood Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites and Country Inn & Suites, First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Kanga Studio, Nabholz Corporation, Partners Bank, Simmons Bank, The Conductor and the University of Central Arkansas. n Presenting Sponsors

Award Sponsor

Speaker Sponsor

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OCTOBER 2021

Business Expo and Taste of Conway Set for Oct. 14 The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo, presented by Cousins’ Office Furniture and Express Employment, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the

BU S I N E S S E XP O Presenting Sponsors

Conway Expo Center.

More than 100 booth spaces with a wide variety of business services will participate in this business-to-business networking event — which can ultimately increase sales and sales leads for exhibitors. In addition to the tradeshow, Business Expo features breakfast, lunch, informative sessions and Taste of Conway.

Major Sponsors

Taste of Conway, sponsored by Crain Hyundai and Crain Genesis of Conway and Molex, will cap off the day. Taste of Conway gives the community the chance to sample some of the best food Conway has to offer. The event gives service providers the opportunity to get in front of more than 400 community members. Restaurants, caterers, food and drink distributors, and other food service providers that are members of the Chamber are eligible to participate in Taste of Conway at no cost.

Major sponsors of Business Expo are Crafton Tull, Baptist

®

Health, Rogers Group, Moix RV and Moix ETC, Garver, The Conductor, Arvest, Kanga Studio, First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Snap-on Equipment, and Simmons Bank.

Registration is now open online for Business Expo and Taste of Conway booth spaces at conwaychamber.org.

For more information on Business Expo or for sponsorship information, contact Mary Margaret Satterfield at Mary@ ConwayArkansas.org or 501-932-5412. n

TAS T E O F C O N W A Y Presenting Sponsors

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OCTOBER 2021

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Conway Regional Health System Biketoberfest Kicks Off Oct. 1 The second annual Conway Regional Health System Biketoberfest kicks off a monthlong celebration of the cycling community in Conway on Oct. 1.

Conway Regional Health System Biketoberfest will highlight group rides and popular routes and provide cycling tips, nutrition and wellness information, and expertise from Conway Regional physicians. Biketoberfest will highlight rides that include longdistance, mountain biking, gravel and leisure rides, and feature four weekly themes: introduction to cycling, exploring your city through family and community rides, corporate wellness and community resources.

Participants are encouraged to post or check-in online when cycling by using the hashtag #BikeConway. Users of the Strava app can join the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau club on the platform to engage in community rides and track progress.

Conway Regional Health System Biketoberfest is presented by Caldwell Toyota, Meridian Investment Advisors, First Security Bank and the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Below is a sample of events and rides coming this month. Check conwaybiketoberfest.org, and the Conway Regional Health System, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau Facebook pages for more information as it is made available. n

Presenting Sponsors

MERIDIAN INVESTMENT ADVISORS

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OCTOBER 2021

Bike 101, hosted by The Ride Saturday, Oct. 2 at 3 p.m.

Location: TBA

Cycling Community Meet-Up Thursday, Oct. 14 from 6-8 p.m.

Location: Twisted Taco (201 Donaghey Ave.)

Biketoberfest Kick-Off Ride Sunday, Oct. 3, Time: TBA Location: Stoby’s (805 Donaghey Ave.) Complimentary lunch provided by Stoby’s

Introduction to Mountain Biking and Group Ride (10 years and older) Thursday, Oct. 14 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Location: Pompe Park (2550 Prince St.)

Complimentary Spin Class Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Location: Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center Complimentary lunch provided by Stoby’s

Smart Cycling Complete Class, hosted by CAB Saturday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon Location: First United Methodist Church of Conway (1610 Prince St.); class instruction hosted online

CAB Group Ride Monday, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Check Strava and #BikeConway for more ride information

CAB Group Ride Monday, Oct. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Check Strava and #BikeConway for more ride information

CAB Group Ride Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Check Strava and #BikeConway for more ride information

CAB Group Ride Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Check Strava and #BikeConway for more ride information

Taco Ride, hosted by Caldwell Toyota Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m.

Location: Caldwell Toyota (1355 Exchange Ave.) Complimentary taco dinner following ride

Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Biking and Group Ride Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Location: Cadron Settlement (6200 Hwy 319 W.)

Menifee Gravel Ride Saturday, Oct. 9 at 8 a.m.

Location: Menifee Municipal Building (68 N. Mustang, Menifee) No route support Downtown Conway Family 3-Mile Ride Saturday, Oct. 9 Location: First Security Bank (1001 Front St.) Burgers and brats served by The Teal Grill from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; rides beforehand Complimentary Spin Class Saturday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m.

Location: Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center CAB Group Ride Monday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Check Strava and #BikeConway for more ride information CAB Group Ride Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 5:30 p.m.

Check Strava and #BikeConway for more ride information

Cycling Community Meet-Up Thursday, Oct. 21 from 6-8 p.m.

Location: Twisted Taco (201 Donaghey Ave.) Complimentary Spin Class Saturday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.

Location: Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center Bike 101, hosted by The Ride Sunday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m.

Location: The Ride (2100 Meadowlake Road, Suite #2) CAB Group Ride Monday, Oct. 25 at 5:30 p.m.

Check Strava and #BikeConway for more ride information CAB Group Ride Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Check Strava and #BikeConway for more ride information Cycling Community Meet-Up Thursday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m.

Location: Twisted Taco (201 Donaghey Ave.)

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OCTOBER 2021

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Working Together to End the Pandemic Many of us can remember March 11, 2020, when it was announced that Arkansas had its first presumptive case of COVID-19, which

Making a commitment to Vaccinate the Natural State As a company whose primary concern is

Arkansas Blue Cross knew they wanted to do something statewide that would hopefully bring the pandemic to a timely end. But they

was later confirmed as positive. A patient in

the health and well-being of its members

knew they could not do it alone. They joined

Pine Bluff likely contacted the virus during a

and their local communities, the executive

forces with their core and community partners

trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. The next

team at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

to announce Vaccinate the Natural State,

day, eight more people tested positive. And

made a commitment of substantial effort and

an initiative to encourage Arkansans to

now, just 18 months later, more than 7,000

resources to help keep people safe. When

get their COVID-19 vaccine. This initiative is

Arkansans have died from COVID-19.

the long-anticipated release of COVID-19

a collaboration with multiple business

vaccines was announced early in 2021,

and community organizations statewide to educate and engage Arkansans in doing their part to help stop the pandemic by getting the vaccination.

“The health of our communities relies on every eligible Arkansan getting the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it becomes available to them,” said Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Blue Cross. “Vaccinations offer our best path for eliminating the virus, ending the suffering, and starting the process of returning our lives back to some sense of normal. The organizations that have come together to fuel this movement represent best-ofclass knowledge coupled with connected networks that can ensure the word gets out that Vaccinate the Natural State can be lifechanging for all of us.”

Forming strong partnerships Led by Arkansas Blue Cross, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/

Ben Abbott, a pharmacist with Heartland Pharmacy in Conway, administers a COVID-19 vaccine during a recent employee drive-thru clinic hosted by Wonder State Box Company Inc. and other businesses in the Conway industrial Park. The clinic was coordinated by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Associated Industries of Arkansas, the

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OCTOBER 2021

Creshelle Nash, M.D., Arkansas Blue Cross Medical Director for Health Equity and Public Programs, administers a COVID-19 vaccine at a recent walk-in clinic.

Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care

Hospitals, pharmacies, local health units and

(AFMC), the Northwest Arkansas Council,

many, many others committed to the health

Walmart and other community partners –

and well-being of Arkansans are working with

the coalition has reached out to employers

the Vaccine the Natural State initiative to help

across every corner of the state to help guide

bring an end to this pandemic.

and prepare them for getting employees vaccinated and returning to the workplace.

Arming employers with knowledge and tools

with the recreation and hospitality industries

Vaccinate the Natural State provides business owners and leaders with vaccine knowledge and resources including access to the Vaccinate Arkansas website that hosts a

especially hit hard – industries that are so

variety of valuable, turn-key resources:

very important to our state,” said Barnett.

• Guide for hosting a vaccine clinic at the workplace

“The pandemic’s economic impact to Arkansas businesses has been staggering,

“The loss of jobs and the decline of sales have critically affected Arkansas small businesses, manufacturing and the supply chain.”

• Vaccine facts and reasons employees should get the vaccine

• Video guides about vaccine safety, employers’ legal rights and responsibilities, and best practices for returning to the office • Vaccine legal guidance for employers • Toolkit including FAQs, stickers, posters, and social media posts • List of reputable, reliable resources • “Power Over Pandemic Pledge” asking business leaders to join the movement to encourage employees to get their vaccine • Vaccine locations, including clinics and events near businesses

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OCTOBER 2021

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In addition, employers can work with Arkansas Blue Cross to schedule educational webinars for employees to learn more about the vaccine, including its safety and effectiveness. This is particularly effective in advance of hosting a vaccine clinic at the worksite.

A promise for a healthy future A mere 18 months after the first COVID-19 case was announced in Arkansas, there have been just under a half a million cases reported in our state. “Arkansas businesses can play a critical role in containing the spread of COVID-19 by helping see that as many of their employees as possible receive the vaccine,” said Barnett. “When eligible employees get vaccinated, they help protect their workplace from COVID-19, and in turn, protect our communities, our economy and our state.”

Go to vaccinatearkansas.com to join other Arkansas businesses in the pledge to endorse the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information and updates on COVID-19, log on to cdc.gov/coronavirus.

About Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurer in Arkansas. Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates have more

Denise Clayton, a pharmacist on staff at Arkansas Blue Cross, provides COVID-19 vaccinations at a recent drive-thru employee clinic hosted by Arkansas Blue Cross.

than 3,200 employees. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is comprised of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that collectively provide healthcare coverage for nearly 106 million members — one in three Americans. n

“Vaccinations offer our best path for eliminating the virus, ending the suffering, and starting the process of returning our lives back to some sense of normal.”

- Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

North Metro Economy at a Glance Population US ..........................328,239,523 Arkansas ....................3,017,804 Conway............................67,638 Cleburne County ..............24,919 Conway County ...............20,846 Faulkner County ............126,007 Perry County ....................10,455 Van Buren County ............16,545

Bank Deposits June Conway 2020....................$2,294,135,000 2019....................$2,225,851,000 Percent Change .................3.07%

Civilian Labor Force July-2021 Seasonally Adjusted US ..........................161,347,000 Arkansas ....................1,355,630

Perry County Conway County 2021. . ...........................$189,380 2020........................$441,204,000 2019........................$394,275,000 2020.............................$154,192 Percent Change ............... 11.90% Percent Change.............. 22.82% Tax Rate........................... 2.50% Faulkner County Van Buren County 2020.................... $2,784,315,000 2019.................... $2,668,253,000 2021.............................$371,237 Percent Change..................4.35% 2020.............................$421,421 Percent Change.............-11.91% Tax Rate........................... 2.00% Perry County

Not Seasonally Adjusted US.......................... 162,817,000 Arkansas.................. 1,369,781 Conway............................34,639 Cleburne County................ 9,146 Conway County..................8,358 Faulkner County...............62,786 Perry County..................... 4,313 Van Buren County.............. 5,877 Unemployment Rate July-2021 Seasonally Adjusted US...................................... 5.4% Arkansas ........................... 4.3% Not Seasonally Adjusted US .......................................5.7% Arkansas..............................4.6% Conway................................4.1% Cleburne County ................. 4.9% Conway County ...................4.8% Faulkner County ..................4.0% Perry County ........................4.5% Van Buren County ................5.3%

Conway County 2021..............................$574,497 2020..............................$514,924 Percent Change ...............11.57% Tax Rate .............................1.75%

Faulkner County 2021. . ........................$1,080,569 Cleburne County 2020.............................$975,708 2020........................$692,960,000 Percent Change.............. 10.75% 2019........................$638,385,000 Tax Rate........................... 0.50% Percent Change.................. 8.55%

2020..........................$79,502,000 2019..........................$71,362,000 Percent Change ............... 11.41%

Restaurant Sales Tax Collections* Van Buren County Year to Date (August) 2020......................$377,761,000 Conway 2019......................$324,814,000 2021...........................$3,077,844 Percent Change ............. 16.30% 2020...........................$2,500,051 Sales & Use Tax Collections Percent Change................23.11% *Includes mixed drink sales August Conway 2021...........................$3,507,267 Hotel Sales 2020...........................$3,138,161 Tax Collections Percent Change............... 11.76% Tax Rate.......................... 2.125% Year to Date (August) Conway Cleburne County 2021.............................$255,303 2021.............................$778,043 2020.............................$671,062 2020.............................$169,784 Percent Change.............. 15.94% Percent Change.............. 50.37% Tax Rate......................... 1.625%

Residential Building Permits Year to Date (August) Conway 2021......................................253 2020......................................169 Percent Change.............. 49.70%

Residential Units Sales Year to Date (July) Conway 2021......................$108,305,620 2020......................$121,407,576 Percent Change.............-10.79%

Residential Units Sold (New and Existing) Year to Date (July) Conway 2021......................................457 2020......................................546 Percent Change.............-16.30%

Cleburne County 2021.........................$59,615,529 2020.........................$71,790,754 Percent Change.............. -16.96%

Cleburne County 2021......................................224 2020......................................289 Percent Change.............-22.49% Conway County 2021.........................................62 2020.........................................82 Percent Change.............. -24.39% Faulkner County 2021......................................930 2020...................................1,123 Percent Change.............-17.19% Perry County 2021........................................20 2020........................................26 Percent Change.............-20.08% Van Buren County 2021.........................................93 2020.......................................109 Percent Change.............. -14.68%

Conway County 2021...........................$8,394,095 2020.........................$11,205,641 Percent Change.............. -25.09% Faulkner County 2021.......................$212,713,097 2020.......................$240,623,979 Percent Change.............. -11.60% Perry County 2021...........................$3,657,700 2020...........................$3,859,523 Percent Change................ -5.23% Van Buren County 2021........................$16,608,900 2020........................$19,067,120 Percent Change.............-12.89%

Average Price of Residential Units Sold (New and Existing) Year to Date (July) Conway 2021..............................$236,993 2020..............................$222,358 Percent Change..................6.58% Cleburne County 2021.............................$266,141 2020.............................$248,411 Percent Change................ 7.14% Conway County 2021..............................$135,389 2020..............................$136,654 Percent Change................ -0.93% Faulkner County 2021..............................$228,724 2020..............................$214,269 Percent Change..................6.75% Perry County 2021..............................$182,885 2020..............................$148,443 Percent Change................23.20% Van Buren County 2021.............................$178,590 2020.............................$174,928 Percent Change................ 2.09%

Sources: 2014-2018 ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, C2ER, Sperling’s Best Places, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Cooperative Arkansas Realtors’ Multiple Listing Services, Arkansas Realtors Association, and City of Conway.

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Virtual Business Series: Cybersecurity for Your Business

When discussion turns to cybersecurity and ransomware attacks,

“Breaches happen,” Grubb said. “It doesn’t mean the hacker is able

most assume the main targets are major corporations, but a 2019

to steal data or install ransomware or move to other computers. If

investigation of data breaches by Verizon revealed 43% of breaches

you use monitoring services, you’re able to see what’s happening and

involved small businesses.

isolate the issue.”

The report further showed the largest victims came from small- to medium-size businesses.

“We usually think of mega corporations, but reports show the vast majority are small businesses,” said Sam Grubb, senior cybersecurity consultant at Edafio Technology Partners. “It doesn’t matter how much money you make or have; it’s a numbers game. The more people hackers can compromise, the more money can be made.”

Grubb and Ted Siems, cybersecurity consultant at Edafio, shared

Monitoring services can include endpoint detection and response, advanced firewalls, email monitoring and data loss prevention, the experts said.

Another important step to take is security awareness among employees, Siems said.

“Your employees are your last line of defense,” he said. “Use a program to train your uses to strengthen the human firewall.”

Studies have show 94% of detected malware in small- to medium-

insight into the cybersecurity world and how small businesses can be

size business attacks are received by email, which shows the

prepared at the latest Virtual Business Series session on Sept. 9.

importance of email hygiene, Grubb said.

Government, education and the service industry have suffered the most ransomware attacks as of late, said Grubb, as well as retail,

“What data would be available if one of your employees’ email accounts was compromised?” Grubb said. n

technology and manufacturing.

The first step identified by the experts at Edafio was to own your security.

“Add cyber awareness into your culture,” Grubb said. “Have a cyber council or steering committee, change the view from ‘this is happening’ to ‘this is what we can do about it.’”

It’s also important to identify a 3-5-year security plan, Grubb said.

Other important steps Grubb and Siems identified were enabling multi-factor or two-factor authentication, creating unique passwords, and never repeating one.

“Breaches happen. It doesn’t mean the hacker is able to steal data or install ransomware or move to other computers. If you use monitoring sevices, you’re able to see what’s happening and isolate the issue.”

- Sam Grubb, senior cybersecurity consultant, Edafio Technology Partners

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OCTOBER 2021 11

Fortune and Great Place To Work® name Acxiom one of the 2021 Best Workplaces for Women™ Great Place to Work® and Fortune magazine have honored

“These companies have made a commitment to fostering

Acxiom®, as one of the 2021 Best Workplaces for Women™.

equity in the workplace. With the data about gender inequity

This is Acxiom’s first time being named to this prestigious list.

in mind, the Best Workplaces for Women braved the task of

Earning a spot means that Acxiom is one of the best companies

combatting gender inequity by ensuring their women employees

to work for in the country.

feel safe, heard, challenged and valued,” says Michael C. Bush,

The Best Workplaces for Women award is based on analysis of survey responses from more than 5.6 million current U.S.

CEO of Great Place to Work®.

In 2021, Acxiom also ranked #28 as a Fortune Best Workplace

employees. In that survey, 93% of Acxiom’s associates said

for Technology™. In addition, they were named to the PEOPLE

Acxiom is a great place to work. This number is 34% higher than

Companies that Care® list.

the average U.S. company.

“It is an honor to be leading Acxiom at a point in time when all the hard work our female associates and their advocates have

About Acxiom Acxiom is a customer intelligence company that provides

done is being recognized by such a prestigious publication,” said

data-driven solutions to enable the world’s best marketers to

Chad Engelgau, Acxiom CEO. “Our associates make working at

better understand their customers to create better experiences

Acxiom a truly special experience every day and this recognition just encourages us to do more for them.”

Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture, selected the list using rigorous analytics and

and business growth. A leader in customer data management, identity, and the ethical use of data for more than 50 years, Acxiom now helps thousands of clients and partners around the globe work together to create millions of better customer experiences, every day. Acxiom is a registered trademark of

confidential employee feedback. Companies were only

Acxiom LLC and is part of The Interpublic Group of Companies,

considered if they are a Great Place to Work-Certified™

Inc. (IPG). For more information, visit Acxiom.com. n

organization.

Great Place to Work is the only company culture award in America that selects winners based on how fairly employees are treated. Companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is.

Leave a review for the restaurants you visited.

#ConwayToGo Supporting small businesses and safe dining.

Let’s support our local restaurants! Use hashtag #ConwayToGo to highlight establishments that are accommodating diners with curbside takeout, home delivery, etc. during a time when restaurant dining rooms are operating at limited capacity and social distancing is encouraged.

We also invite you to join and participate in the #ConwayToGo Facebook community at facebook.com/groups/ConwayToGo.