Benton County Judge Candidate Forum

Forum Featuring County Judge Candidates – Friday, April 16, 2010

Candidate Forum featuring Benton County Judge candidates, Bob Stephenson, Jr, Judge Dave Bisbee, Bob Clinard and Tim Henderson

April 16, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., lunch provided

Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, 317 W. Walnut St., Rogers

Open to the public, free of charge

Sponsored by Government Affairs Division of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce

Offered as a service to Chamber members and the general public as an opportunity to meet the candidates and learn more about their positions.

The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Primary Election Candidate Forum on Friday, April 16. The forum, hosted by the Government Affairs Division of the chamber, allow candidates an opportunity to answer specific questions for voters. The forum will be held at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, 317 W. Walnut St., Rogers.
Candidates for County Judge will be featured on April 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lunch provided. The forum will include Bob Stephenson, Jr, Judge Dave Bisbee, Bob Clinard and Tim Henderson.

Candidate Forums are hosted and sponsored by the Government Affairs Division of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, and are free and open to the public. Reservations are required, and may be made online for each forum at www.RogersLowell.com, or by calling the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce at 479-636-1240.

Registration Now Open for Buddy Bass!

It's that time of year. Trees are blooming, the grass is growing and the bass are biting! The Chamber staff, along with our many sponsors, have been busy finalizing plans for this year's Bradford Marine & RLACC Beaver Lake Buddy Bass Tournament presented by NITRO boats May 8. More than 700 fishermen are expected to participate. This year the winning fisherman will take home a brand new Tracker Bass Boat, motor, and trailer thanks to Bass Pro Shops and Bradford Marine. The 19th annual tournament will be held at Prairie Creek Pavilion on Beaver Lake in Rogers.

Download your registration form here

We'd also like you to join us for the “Spring Fishing Classic” event at Bradford Marine’s Springdale location on Saturday, May 1, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. This event is held in conjunction with the 2010 Bradford Marine & Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce 19th Annual Buddy Bass Tournament presented by NITRO boats, and will feature a kids casting contest, refreshments, seminars and appearances by national fishing celebrities Jimmy Houston and Stacy King. Registration for the 19th Annual Buddy Bass Tournament will also be available. Register for the tournament at Bradford Marine and you are automatically entered in a drawing for a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card! Drawing will be held at the end of the tournament weigh-in and you must be present to win.

Be A Race for the Cure Volunteer!

The 2010 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is just over a month away and for the 2nd year in a row, it's being held at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers. The race is growing larger each year, which means more volunteers are needed to make the race a success. Last year it took 500 volunteers to make the race possible. There are a multitude of opportunities on race day as well as ongoing and set up opportunities that will not affect participation in the race.

Here is a list of volunteer opportunities:


Ongoing Registration (Rogers location)


The Rogers registration office is located at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade. Registration volunteers with assist with light clerical duties and T-shirt folding as needed. There are shift blocks of 2-3 hours on the following dates: March 25 - April 3, April 8 - 9, and April 12 - 23. Volunteers will be shown how to assist prior to their 1st shift.



Friday April 23rd



Banner Hanging

This is on site at Pinnacle Hills Promenade. The ability to climb a ladder is required. This will start at 12pm and finish at 8pm, 4 hr shifts are also available from 12pm - 4pm and 4pm - 8pm.



Set Up

Volunteers will assist with setting up barricades, ropes, signs, tents and other items as needed along the course route as well as within the Promenade at various locations. This will start at 1 pm and finish at 5pm, with additional shift beginning at 5 pm and finishing at 11 pm. The ability to lift and move 50 pounds is required.



Race Day Saturday April 24th



All Race Day volunteers will be given a T-shirt and a light breakfast will be served. All times are estimates and will be finalized soon.



Course Volunteers

Volunteers will assist with final set up of the race course prior to the event and stay through the main event to cheer on the runners and assist with drink and recycling stations along the course. Large groups are encouraged for this opportunity. This will start at 6-6:30 am and will finish around 10:30pm.



Kids for the Cure

Volunteers will work with children and their parents at the Kids for the Cure course assisting with set up, running the child-focused event and giving out recognition to the participants. This will start at 6-6:30 am and will finish around 10:30am.



Police Assistance

Volunteers will assist the Rogers Police department with street blockades and directing race participants around the closed streets. Individuals with the ability to clearly communicate and project authority are preferred. This will start at 5-5:30am and finish around 10:30am.



Volunteer Assistance

Volunteers will assist with check in and T-shirt distribution at the volunteer check in location. This will begin 4:30-5:00 am and be finished by an estimated 10:30-12:00 am.



Registration Assistance

Volunteers will work with the Komen staff to distribute the racer numbers (bibs) to race participants. This will begin at 6:00 am and will be finished by an estimated 9:00 am.



Parking Assistance

Volunteers will help direct race participants and other volunteers from parking lots to the race and check-in locations. Groups are encouraged for this opportunity. This will start 5:30-6:00 am and be finished by an estimated 10:30 am.



Race Start Line

Volunteers will help organize racers for the official start of the race. Primary duties will include lining participants up for the race and coordinating with the Komen staff to ensure an exciting and organized start to the race. Groups are encouraged for this opportunity. This will begin at 6:30 am and finish about 10:30 am.



Race Finish Line

Volunteers will help cheer on racers at the finish line of the course and direct them to drink stations nearby as needed while ensuring racers have a rewarding and enthusiastic end to their race. Groups are encouraged for this opportunity. This will begin at 6:30 am and finish about 10:30 am.



Clean Up

Volunteers will assist with tear down and recycling and trash removal from the race course and Promenade venue following the main event. Large groups are encouraged for this opportunity. This will begin about 10:00-10:30 am and will be finished about 2 pm.



Please join us in making the 2010 Race for the Cure the biggest and best in Northwest Arkansas by contacting Karen Dineen at Karendineen001@gmail.com or by calling her at 479.619.7129 to volunteer or for any questions.

Staff Changes at the Chamber

Happy St. Patrick's Day! It's been a while since our last blog post, but we are back and ready to go! I'll be taking over the reins for the Chamber blog. I'm learning my way around the office (I still get lost upstairs), but hope to be on a blogging schedule soon! I wanted to start by introducing myself. My name is Jennifer Haile and I am the newest team member of the Chamber. As the Director of Marketing and Communications, I will be in charge of the weekly email, newsletter and member communications. Before joining the Chamber, I worked for 40/29 News as Sunrise Anchor and Reporter for 6 years. I am so excited to be a part of the Chamber and look forward to getting to know all of you!

I also wanted to pass along some great news for a couple staff members. A big congratulations goes out to Dana Mather. Dana was promoted to Senior Vice President. She's been with the Chamber for 10 years and previously served as the Vice President of Community Development & Communication.

Megan Cuddy also received a promotion. She is expanding her role at the Chamber and is now the Vice President of Community Development. Megan has been with the Chamber for almost 5 years. She will continue to serve the community as the Director of Drug Free Rogers-Lowell as well.

Again, congrats to Dana and Megan!

Happy Holidays from the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce!

Thanks for connecting with us in 2009 via social media!  It's a great time to scroll back through the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce blog to refresh your memory on some of the exciting things that have happened in the business community throughout this year.

We'll be taking a short break from blog posts, and look forward to reconnecting with you after the first of the year.

Very best wishes for you and your business for the holiday season, and happy 2010!

American Free Enterprise - Dream Big

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently launched a campaign for American Free Enterprise (www.FreeEnterprise.com), and it is a significant undertaking.  The initiative is based on the very fabric of American society - the concept that ideas breed entrepreneurs and, in turn, jobs.  These jobs will strengthen the United States to compete in the global economy, and 20 million new jobs will need to be created in the coming decade to keep America strong.

It's certainly worthwhile to take the time to visit the website and at the very least view the video.  Even better, read the site in depth, pledge your support, share your story and connect with the movement through a number of social media channels. 

The American Free Enterprise initiative calls us to "dream big."  It focuses on what matters in the business community - bright ideas, big dreams,  brave entrepreneurs, factories, farmers, leaders and followers.  The initiative is compelling, and it hits at the very core of what makes America strong, makes us all proud to live in and lead our communities and reminds us why the business community matters.

It's tough to summarize why it pulls at your heartstrings, but you know that it's the reason you get up every morning and work hard.  The campaign touches on "the race" - the idea that Americans will have to outwork, outthink and outdream to thrive in the future.  It's a concept you can believe in and share with others.  Take a little time to learn more and share the story - invite your friends and colleagues to learn more with a quick post on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.  View these two additional videos (1.5 minutes total), as well: http://www.freeenterprise.com/newsroom/ads/.

Dream big.

Unemployment, job fair attendance indicate positive signs

Workforce recruitment, retention and outreach are some of the most important topics for staff at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber conducts two job fairs annually, typically in May and October, which attract between 50 - 120 hiring companies and anywhere from 1,500 to 3,200 job seekers depending upon current economic conditions. However, as we indicated in press coverage of our most recent event on October 12, we believe there are some positive signs of recovery for job seekers:

Job Fair Turnout Shows Improving Economy (40/29 News)

http://www.4029tv.com/news/21278363/detail.html

Job Fair Offers Positions, Training (40/29 News)

http://www.4029tv.com/money/19344047/detail.html

Job Fair Attracts Unemployed, Those Seeking Better Pay (The Morning News)

http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2009/10/12/business/101309busjobsearch.txt

Economic indicators continue to improve. At the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, our economic development inquiries have been steady or up over 2008 every single month year to date (January - September 2009). This includes new business inquiries, economic development prospects, individuals looking to open franchises, small businesses and home-based businesses.

Northwest Arkansas remains an outstanding and desirable place to go into business as well as to live, play and raise a family. We're pleased to see progress in historic downtown Rogers as well - downtown Rogers merchants are banding together better than we've ever seen, and there is a new attitude of optimism in downtown Rogers spurred by efforts from Main Street Rogers (Mocha on Main Street, the new butterfly and hummingbird park on First Street, downtown intersection improvements), as well as efforts by merchants (third Friday Twilight Walks are thriving).

We're serving more diverse business inquiries than ever, and our diversity program continues to gain momentum. Most recent U.S. Census Bureau numbers still place Rogers at approximately 31% Hispanic or Latino, and we are assisting many of these individuals with start-up businesses (most popular: restaurants, auto detail and repair, child care, salons) as well as translation, outreach and referral services.

As you may recall, in June 2009 Forbes magazine ranked the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA (metropolitan statistical area) at #2 on its list of the best places in the nation for recession recovery (http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/09/recession-economy-cities-business-beltway-recovery-cities.html). We couldn't agree more, although we think Northwest Arkansas is a fantastic place even without talk of recessions!