Welcome to our Chamber Connection Newsletter!
In an effort to connect our Chamber Members to valuable news, information, and resources each month we will feature a spotlight topic to better connect our community. This month's topic focuses on the importance of our Chamber Members including exciting announcements, resources, and more. Next month's topic will feature a focus on the Back-to-School Shop Local Campaign and August will feature Education news and events.
|
|
Don't Miss Our Newsletters, Save @fortsmithchamber.com Domain to Your Safe Sender List! |
|
This Month's Newsletter is Sponsored by Ritter Communications |
|
More from our newsletter sponsor: Ritter Communications |
|
|
Leadership Fort Smith is a 10-month program that offers participants a backstage pass to the Fort Smith Region. The class will focus on the strengths, challenges, needs, and overall community issues that participants can directly address. Only 25 participants are selected each year for Leadership Fort Smith. Selection criteria includes but is not limited to demonstrated leadership, potential leadership ability, and commitment to the community.
Ritter Communications is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor for the Leadership Fort Smith Class of 2023. The 25 participants have been selected and will be announced to the community on Thursday, July 14 at the Class of 2022 Commencement/Class of 2023 Reception event held by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. Ritter looks forward to the growth and development of these up-and-coming Fort Smith leaders.
Ritter Communications is a leader among local independent communications providers, offering business, residential and wholesale customers advanced internet, phone, video, and cloud services. We invest heavily in the communities we serve by deploying proven, best-in-class infrastructure and technology while coupling it with a world-class customer-focused experience. Founded in 1906 and headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Ritter Communications is committed to growing and evolving to meet the demands of today’s ever-connected world.
|
|
Congratulations to our members that celebrated a ribbon cutting, groundbreaking, or grand opening the fist half of 2022. |
|
|
The Fort Smith Chamber held its 29th Annual Jack White Legislative Golf Tournament |
|
|
On Monday, June 20th we held our 29th annual Jack White Legislative Golf Tournament at the beautiful Hardscrabble Country Club Golf Course. We had 30 teams out on the course plus many Sponsors that supported the event. Everyone had a great time connecting with other businesses and community leaders.
Thank you to our Sponsors who partner with us to make these events happen!
Presenting Sponsor: Choctaw Casinos & Resorts
Glove Sponsor: OG&E
Hat Sponsor: Firstar Bank
Lunch Sponsors: Art's BBQ and Burgers (and Wade York for cooking) Littlefield Companies and Forsgren, Inc
Player Golf Cart Sponsor: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Our Hospitality Sponsors: Belle Point Beverages, Burford Distributing Inc.,
Pepsi Beverages Company
Our Beverage Cart Sponsors: Harry Robinson Buick GMC Methodist Village Senior Living and Pain Treatment Centers of America
Driving Range Sponsor: SERVPRO of Fort Smith
Putting Contest Sponsored by: located on the putting green: ABB $50 Sodie’s Gift Card
Closest to the Pin: featured on Hole 17: Rounds of Golf BHC Insurance
Longest Drive: featured on Hole 11: featuring $100 Pro Shop Gift Card Chaffee Crossing
Exclusive Hole Sponsors: Andy's Frozen Custard, Arkansas Blood Institute, Armstrong Bank, Arvest Bank, Bachoco OK Foods, Chambers Bank, Crafton Tull & Associates, Dobson Fiber, Encompass Health, First Security Bank, Harness Roofing, Owens Corning, Preferred Office Technologies, Raising Cane's Chicken, Service Master Restore, Simmons Bank, TFSL Trucking, U.S. Bank
Tandem Hole Sponsors: City of Fort Smith & First National Bank
Special thanks to our Hole in One Prize Sponsors:
Harry Robinson Buick GMC, Newton’s Jewelers & Universal Travel.
|
|
|
Highlights of recent and upcoming events & news from Chamber members |
|
|
On Friday, June 17, 2022, the final performance of the 2021-2022 season – by A String Fort Smith – took place at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. Audience members were treated to a free concert, featuring chamber music for strings by a variety of composers spanning four centuries, including Mozart, Vivaldi, Dvořák, Shostakovich, Tárrega, Charpentier, Marianelli, and Paganini.
The talented artists of A String Fort Smith participating in this concert, included faculty members: Lori Fay, Director and violin; Anthony Verge, Assistant Director, violin, and viola; Jayne Jostad, violoncello; Nathan Boyd, double bass; as well as guest artists Gavin Holland, piano; Ginny Hudson, flute; Callie Shannon, violoncello; Jay Shepherd, guitar; Elijah Slaton, percussion; Olivia Steele, percussion; Kate Wootten, violin; and student participants Gregory Allen, Adrian Mazariegos, Andrea Ortega, Emaline Pendleton, Iana Perry, Blair Ranells, and Samuel Tran, violin; Angel Duron and Nha Ho viola; and Myles Flanders and Liberty Vasquez, violoncello.
The performance – a Benefit Concert to raise funds for the ongoing work of A String Fort Smith, especially student scholarships – was dedicated to the children and families affected by the crisis in Ukraine. For more information about A String Fort Smith, visit: www.astringfortsmith.com
|
|
|
|
ArkansasBlue Welcome Center will host upcoming events free to the public in July!
|
|
LOCALLY GROWN, LOCALLY MADE.
The Chaffee Crossing Farmers & Artisans Market is a festival-style market on second Saturdays, May through October in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District.
Our focus is on supporting local entrepreneurs selling homegrown, homemade, and handmade products as well as original art, designs, and creations. Food trucks and adult beverages can be enjoyed as shoppers visit a variety of vendor booths.
Monthly theme-oriented activities for kids and adults, live music, demonstrations, making new friends, bumping into old friends, and other surprises keep everyone coming back for more! Find a full schedule at https://chaffeecrossingfam.com/
|
|
LEVITT AMP
FORT SMITH MUSIC SERIES
JOIN US FOR 10 WEEKS OF FREE MUSIC ON THE RIVERFRONT IN DOWNTOWN FORT SMITH
Brought to you in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation. a national funder of creative placemaking that empowers communities to inject new life into underused public spaces.
May 12 to July 14, 2022
121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Bring your chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and pets!
|
|
Come out to support over 70 regional artists and four local charities that will benefit from the art sales!
Art on the Border will be open to the public on July 23, 2022 from 10 am - 2 pm. There will be a host of mediums including oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolor, fiber, hand-blown glass, jewelry, sculptures, gourds, digitally enhanced photographs, wood turning and basket to admire and purchase!
Take a look around our website to learn more: https://www.artontheborder.com/
|
|
DUCK DAY
Adopt your ducks for a chance to win one of our Fabulous Prize Packages. $5 gets you a token duck and your name in for our Duck Derby.
|
|
Benefits, Tools, & Resources for Members |
|
|
Networking Events to Attend in July |
|
|
We will host two networking events in July! These are great opportunities Chamber members can attend free to grow their professional network and share information on their business services. |
|
Date and Time:
Thursday, July 14, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Location:
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (Newer Building)
Health Sciences Building- Seminar Room
7006 Chad Colley Blvd
Fort Smith, AR 72916
|
|
|
|
Date and Time:
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT
Location:
Peak Innovation Center
5900 Painter Lane
Fort Smith, AR 72903
|
|
|
|
It's a Great Time to Join the Fort Smith Chamber or Increase Your Engagement With Us - Learn How |
|
|
Upcoming Chamber Connection Newsletters |
|
|
July 28, 2022 - Shop Local (Back-to-School Campaign Kick-off)
August 25, 2022 - Education
|
|
|
Connect with us on our social media channel below, like & follow for the latest news, events, specials, jobs, and more from our membership community. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
