Chamber Voice | November 2024

October 2024 | Vol. 19 Issue 10

Voting Resources see page 7

NWA Fall Job Fair RLC’s NWA Fall Job Fair presented by John Brown University (JBU) convened nearly 60 local employers with a record breaking 340+ job seekers Oct. 16 at Rogers Activity Center. see page 4-5

WHAT’S INSIDE

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6 4 NWA Fall Job Fair 6 Hustle in Heels / October Events Recap

8 Ambassador Testimonies 9 Roundtable Recap

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10 Chamber Golf Winners

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Quick & Clickable LINKS MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBERS MEMBER RENEWALS 1 - 30+ YRS

recent RIBBON CUTTINGS Member Anniversaries!!!

The Chamber is helping several members celebrate milestone anniversaries this month, showcasing the long-term success for businesses in Northwest Arkansas.

Meet our board

Meet our team

317 West Walnut Street Rogers, Arkansas 72756 P: (479) 636-1240 F: (479) 636-5485 November 2024 | www.RogersLowell.com

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NWA FALL JOB FAIR RLC’s NWA Fall Job Fair presented by John Brown University (JBU) convened hundreds of fellow job seekers with 50+ local employers Oct. 16 at Rogers Activity Center.

“A big reason for me coming to an event like this was to see what kind of job opportunities there were in the area. All the groups and organizations have been really kind and welcoming.”

- Mark Everett, recent college graduate

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THANK YOU to our sponsors and everyone who came out to participate

“Attending the NWA Fall Job Fair is great for the community! John Brown University is here to let people know that you can work and go to school.”

- Vergi Scott, Director of Graduate & Online Enrollment at JBU Chamber events like the NWA Fall Job Fair convene employers with employees, supporting our mission work in economic development.

November 2024 | www.RogersLowell.com

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OCTOBER RECAP

CRC MEETING HUSTLE IN HEELS

MIXER

COFFEE CONNCECTION ART ON THE BRICKS ART WALK

MERCHANT MEETUP

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

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ELECTION DAY Election day for the Benton County General & School Election is November 5th !!

Learn more about polling locations here.

School Board & Trustee Elections • Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) board of trustees has two spots up for grabs. Trustee Mark Scott and Margaret Mouser are running to represent Zone 6. Candice Bright and Joe Spivey are running to represent Zone 9.

Learn more about each zone here.

• Bentonville School Board: Incumbent Jennifer Faddis and Reisha Bravo are competing for their spot on the board. Learn more about each this election here.

Statewide Ballot Issues: Learn more about each ballot issue here.

• Issue 1 would allow the existing Arkansas Scholarship Lottery to be applied to vocational and technical schools instead of only traditional academic colleges.

• Issue 2 would revoke any casino license issued in Pope County by the Arkansas Racing Commission and require any future license to be approved by county voters.

Local and Statewide Elections • Rogers Mayoral Candidates: Learn more about each candidate.

• City Council Races: See whose running in Rogers and Lowell here.

• State Treasurer’s Office: Voters will decide between Republican Secretary of State John Thurston, Democrat John Pagan or Libertarian Michael Pakko.

• Chief Justice, Position 1: Voters will decide between Arkansas Supreme Court Justices Karen Baker and Rhonda Wood.

November 2024 | www.RogersLowell.com

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WHAT’S AN AMBASSADOR? The Ambassador Program consists of volunteers from ourmember businesses’ who donate their time to assist the Chamber’s mission work through various efforts, including:

• Serving the community through Chamber involvement and events.

• Representing their company at all official AmbassadorChamber related functions • Networking during Ambassador functions and Chamber related functions.

• Opportunity to win door prizes at Ambassador or Chamber functions.

• Eligible for an Ambassador of the Quarter Recognition or Ambassador of the Year Award recognizing outstanding performance and service.

“I love serving my community, and there’s no better way than by welcoming new businesses, checking in on members, and spreading the word about all the Chamber has to offer! I am proud to have been named Ambassador of the Quarter for both Q2 2023 and 2024, and I’ve got my sights set on the yearly award!”

- Ericka Young-Melber, owner of Young’s Moving Service

What they’re saying: We asked our current Ambassadors to share more about their journey with the Chamber. Here’s what they had to say:

Get involved: Contact our Special Events Director, Maggie Matuschka, to join our 2025 team!

“I definitely encourage people to sign up to be an Ambassador. Because one, you are representing your company or your brand, but your also representing the city.”

- Gus Reyes-Jacoba, AVP, Hispanic Heritage Community Officer at Generations Bank

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ROUNDTABLE RECAP On Oct. 7, Congressman Steve Womack met with local business and community leaders for a roundtable discussion at Supply Chain Hall of Fame.

“When you want to put a finger on the pulse for what’s going on, for me, an economic perspective, there’s no better place to do that than in a forum organized by your chamber.

These are the business leaders,” - Congressman Womack

RLC’s roundtable discussion with Congressman Womack furthers our mission work in serving as the regional link between local business and government leaders.

November 2024 | www.RogersLowell.com

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CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT RECAP We had a wonderful turnout this year at our Chamber Golf Tournament, offering local business members the opportunity to treat themselves, reward employees or say “thank you” to a client.

And the overall winner is…

Signature Bank of Arkansas List of Winners: Morning Flight Winners: 1. Signature Bank of Arkansas 2. Northwest Arkansas National Airport – XNA

OVERALL WINNER Signature Bank of Arkansas

3. Raising Cane’s Afternoon Flight Winners: 1. Mart Cart 2. Everett Volkswagen 3. Sterling Bank Thank you to our Sponsors!!!

By offering local business members an event like the Chamber Golf Tournament, RLC is supporting its mission work in not only community and economic development — but also destination marketing!

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Morning Flight Winners:

Afternoon Flight Winners:

Signature Bank of Arkansas

Mart Cart - Assembled Products Corporation

Northwest Arkansas National Airport – XNA

Everett Volkswagen

Raising Cane’s

Sterling Bank November 2024 | www.RogersLowell.com

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MERCHANT MEET UP RECAP Business owners and their team members joined us at Honeycomb Kitchen Oct. 17 for an opportunity to connect and collaborate with local businesses ahead of the holiday season.

This meet-up is part of the Chamber’s ongoing initiative to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in Downtown Rogers.

Guest Speaker: Brittnie Simon, Founder & Owner of Collab Design Co. discussed the importance of establishing and maintaining a strong online presence.

Group Discussions: Attendees also had the chance to discuss seasonal events ahead of Shop Small Saturday, Black Friday and Sips on the Bricks: Holiday Edition 2024.

BUSINESS JOURNAL C-SUITE AWARDS The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal presented the 10th annual C-Suite Awards Class!

The 2024 class includes top executives form various sectors, such as banking, construction, food, non-profit and healthcare. The 10 honorees were nominated by their peers and selected by the Business Journal editorial staff.

Help us congratulate our members who made the list!

• Highlands Oncology Group • Pel-Freez • Scott Family Amazeum • Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA • Smith Hurst • Garver • Arvest Read more here!

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ROGERS IMPACT It all starts with a shopping trip: Destination Rogers highlights our area as the premier destination for November shopping in Northwest Arkansas.

• By the numbers: In 2023, Rogers visitors spent $97 million on retail, restaurant food and beverages and recreation/entertainment.

• New stores like The LEGO Store at Pinnacle Hills Promenade, cooking classes at Honeycomb Kitchen Shop, cool vibes at Onyx Coffee Lab, and funky local swag at The Dotted Pig and Rogers Mercantile draw visitors to Rogers, keep them here and create reasons for return visits.

Retail-tainment: Shopping trips aren’t just about buying stuff, as many shoppers make their retail therapy an event, combining purchasing with partying at restaurants, attractions and clubs.

Looking ahead: The holiday shopping season is here, with Black Friday just around the corner.

• Retail-tainment: Make your shopping trip into an experience, by supporting the many merchants on the brick lined streets of downtown Rogers.

• Hit the mall for a visit to Blue Zoo Aquarium, Dave & Buster’s or Rendezvous Junction for a cold one.

• Get involved with Shop Small Saturday, November 30 and support small businesses!!

The dollars you spend and the memories you make, go a long way in making Rogers a worldclass entertainment, culinary and shopping destination.

November 2024 | www.RogersLowell.com

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November 2024 | www.RogersLowell.com

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NOVEMBER RLC Events NOV

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EVERY WEDNESDAY

Host Sponsor | Scott Family Amazeum Location | Dance with Me Studio by Aura Address | 210 E Chestnut Ave | Downtown Rogers TIME | 9:00 am to 10:15 am

Presented by | Equity Business Solutions Host Sponsor | Parmelee Homestead Creations TIME | 9 am - 10:15 am Location | Golden Corral Address | 2605 W Pleasant Crossing Dr. | Rogers

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Location | Gunsmoke Sporting Clays Address | 17243 Wendell Jones Road | Garfield Presented by | Daisy

Presented by | MOSER , T-Mobile Host Sponsor | The Grafton Address | 2701 S. 55th St. | Rogers TIME | 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

$10 tickets | Shop Small Sip Small Social Location | Urban Cellar Winery Address | 21 W. Mountain Street Unit 228 | Fayetteville TIME | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Presented by | T-Mobile Location | Downtown Rogers TIME | 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

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Presented by | Small Business Council Gold Sponsor | Elevation Finance Address |317 W Walnut St| Rogers TIME | 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Location | Downtown Rogers Address | Downtown Rogers TIME | 8:45 - 10 a.m.

Presented by | RLC & Greater Bentonville Chamber Host Sponsor | Colliers Address | 3503 S. 55th Street | Rogers TIME | 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Expand your network with us!

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CONTACT

PHONE

ONLINE

ADDRESS:

PHONE:

EMAIL:

Rogers Lowell Chamber 317 W. Walnut St. Rogers, AR 72756 United States

(479) 636-1240

info@rogerslowell.com

FAX:

WEBSITE:

(479) 636-5485

www.rogerslowell.com