Legislative Update from Arkansas Secretary of State, Cole Jester

At our First Friday Breakfast event in January, Secretary Jester shared valuable insight into his work to help make Arkansas a strong, pro-business state by cutting unnecessary regulations, securing the State Capitol Complex while protecting its historic legacy, and ensuring transparency and trust in government operations.

Under his leadership, the Secretary of State’s office:

 • Oversees the Arkansas State Capitol

 • Manages the Arkansas State Capitol Police

 • Handles business filings across the state

 • Administers safe and secure elections

He also informed us that Arkansas has moved from #8 to #1 in election integrity, a testament to strong leadership and commitment to public trust.

Preparation Underway for 67th Annual Washington Fly-In

Each year, a delegation from the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce travels to Washington, D.C. to discuss topics and issues that are crucial to the success of our region. We meet with both our Congressmen and Senators to continue our good working relationship with leaders in Washington.

For more information on sponsorship and attendance opportunities for this event, contact Arianna Daniels at adaniels@fortsmithchamber.com.

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!

Use Your Voice & Vote!

Strong businesses need strong communities, and strong communities need engaged citizens.

This election season, we encourage you to register and vote.

The decisions made at the ballot box affect our local economy, our workforce, and our future.

Click here for voter registration info, election calendars, & more!

First Friday Breakfast

We were honored to have so many distinguished guests present for a packed program at our First Friday Breakfast this month!

We heard a very informative keynote message from Colonel Jonathan Esparza, Commander, 188th Wing, Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas Air National Guard.

General Chad Bridges, Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard, then presented our very own President/CEO, Tim Allen, with the 2025-2026 Defense Community Champion Award, on behalf of the Association of Defense Communities - ADC.

We would like to extend congratulations to Linda Craig Black with Chuck Fawcett Realty, Inc on being the winner of our $100 free play incentive drawing, sponsored by Choctaw Casinos & Resorts!

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!

Presenting Sponsor: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Hosting Sponsor: CDI Contractors

Buffet Sponsor: OG&E

Coffee Bar Sponsor: Littlefield Companies

Location Sponsor: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Incentive Drawing Sponsor: Choctaw Casinos & Resorts

Business Brew

On February 17th, we hosted another Business Brew full of strong connections! We had the best time networking and learning more about Fort Smith Fit Body Boot Camp. Attendees were given playing cards and instructed to find someone with the same suit to help facilitate networking and forge new connections.

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!

Presenting Sponsor: Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland

Hosting Sponsor: Fort Smith Fit Body Boot Camp

Breakfast Sponsor: The Fort Smith Convention Center

Junior Leadership & Career Academy

On February 4th, our JLCA students experienced Higher Education and Workforce Development in the River Valley. Students explored life at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, and heard from Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus about associates and technical degrees for high paying jobs!

We spent the afternoon at Peak Innovation Center hearing from the Air Force, our Presenting Sponsor, OG&E, and wrapped up the day with a presentation from Dr. Kim Gordon at the UAFS Center for Economic Development on presentation tips for our upcoming group project presentations. 

A big thank you to our Lunch Provider, Raising Cane's, and Russell Herren for an amazing motivational speech for our students!

The program is made possible by our incredible annual sponsors! 

Presenting: OG&E

Platinum: AT&T, Silgan Plastics 

Gold: ABB, First National Bank, Mercy, Hytrol, RightFiber 

Annual Lunch and Break: Dixie / Georgia-Pacific

Leadership Fort Smith

From city operations, to local collaboration, we learned about it all during our Local Government session on February 12th, sponsored by HW Engineers! 

We started the day at the Solid Waste Services department for the City of Fort Smith, learning about how our landfill operates. At the landfill, the Fort Smith Fire Department was completing the training of their new hires for the department and invited us to join! 

Former City Director Lavon Morton joined us at The Blue Lion to discuss running for government office and committee involvement opportunities. 

We hosted a Regional Mayor Panel to discuss collaboration across our region for the common good of all of our communities. Thank you to Mayor McGill, Mayor Hurst, Mayor Baxter, Mayor White, and Mayor Kinslow for joining us and sharing their insight. 

The afternoon started at “The Sign Shop” where the class learned about street and traffic control, water meter testing, and received our class signs! Lastly, we traveled back to The Blue Lion to hear from Judge Hotz on County Government operations, and Josh Buchfink about the City of Fort Smith events, communications, and public relations. 

Next month, our LFS class will be heading to our state capital to learn about State Government and hear from political leaders.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and our annual sponsors

who make it happen! 

Presenting Sponsor: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Partner Sponsors: BHC Insurance, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith

Quarterly Ambassador Meeting

We had a blast at our first quarterly ambassador meeting of 2026 at unWINEd!

Ambassadors got updates about the program, played a Valentines Day themed team building game, and strengthened connections with fellow ambassadors.

We awarded prizes from Everett James Tea Company, Akins Store, Outback Steakhouse, Main Street Fort Smith, Amazing Graze Fort Smith, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, Fulmer Candy Company - Fort Smith, 1127 Cafe' , and unWINEd - The Village at Heritage to several ambassadors as rewards for their hard work with the Chamber! 

Thank you to all of our ambassadors for your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm. We loved getting to celebrate you! Thank you to all the businesses for sharing your wonderful people with us!

February Ribbon Cuttings and Ground Breakings

Congratulations to the members who held ribbon cuttings and ground breakings with us this month! We are thrilled to celebrate these milestones

with you! 

New Members in February

We are so excited to welcome these businesses as members!

Calming Voice Counseling Services

Centric Consulting, LLC

Fort Smith U Storage

Southern Caregivers of Fort Smith

10GYM FORT SMITH LLC

Sherwin Williams - Phoenix Avenue

Rustic Farm & Pet Services

Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab

Anything's Popsicle

Precision Paint Worx

VSC Fire & Security, Inc.

AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH

January 2026

We would like to congratulate Laura Asbill with Hampton Inn on being chosen as our January Ambassador of the Month 🎉

With more than 31 years in the hospitality industry, Laura brings a deep passion for people, service, and community to everything she does. Her career has taken her across Arizona, California, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, where she began in sales and advanced into award-winning General Manager roles, including opening six hotels from the construction phase.

A proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Laura was born in Fort Smith and raised just across the river in Oklahoma. She believes strongly that being an active member of the Chamber of Commerce is essential—not only to personal and professional success, but to the growth and strength of our local business community. The relationships built through the Chamber are what make her work especially meaningful.

Hampton Inn Fort Smith has proudly served the community since 1994, and as the area’s second-largest hotel, Laura thrives on the opportunity to work with a wide range of guests and organizations—from sports teams and corporations to schools, family reunions, and visitors discovering all that Fort Smith has to offer. Representing a globally recognized brand while supporting her hometown is a challenge she truly enjoys.

Congratulations to Laura and all of our Ambassadors on another great month!

Thank you to Fig and Fern Floral for helping celebrate our Ambassador of the Month!

Early Bird Registration for the 2026 Business Expo & Career Fair is Open!

Vendor registration is open! Network, recruit, and grow our business all in one day at the area's largest business expo and career fair event! SAVE with Early Bird Pricing through March 6th. Don't Miss this chance to secure your booth at a lower price!

Sponsorships are still available! Contact Arianna Daniels at adaniels@fortsmithchamber.com for more information!

Leadership Fort Smith Applications are Open!

Our motto "Learn. Connect. Lead." states our goal very simply - to give participants learning opportunities, connect them to the community, and give them the tools to lead. We also use the phrase "back-stage pass" because our sessions give the class an amazing behind the scenes experience. It is both a professional development and community leadership program like no other!

Sponsor a JLCA Student

Contact Grace Wilmath to find out how you or your business can support the development of our future workforce!

Help Us Celebrate Our Area's Honors Students!

Our annual Honors Picnic celebrates local high school seniors earning an Honors Diploma and/or being recognized as Arkansas Scholars.

Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available to help us honor Fort Smith's exceptional students!

Does your business offer a military discount?

Does your business offer a military discount? Fill out the form linked above and your business will be listed on our website and will receive a window sticker!

View our military discount directory here: https://www.fortsmithchamber.org/military-discounts/.

Thank you to all of our area businesses who offer discounts and support our military members!

2026 First Friday Breakfast Series: March 6th

Join us on March 6th at 7:30AM at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center! This month we will be having a 'Women in Healthcare' panel. Whether your looking to expand your network, gain valuable insights, listen to an informative program, or simply enjoy a delicious breakfast among peers, this event is for you. 

Seats are limited, so don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow business professionals and community leaders. We look forward to seeing you there!

Mastering Crucial Conversations

With Dr. Phillip McClure

Date: Wednesday, March 11th

9:00 AM - 5:00PM

$400

Sometimes you just find yourself in a tough conversation at work. How you handle those crucial interactions can make or break trust and results.

In this course based on the book, Crucial Conversations, Dr. Phillip McClure will engage you as he defines important terms and teaches specific techniques. As you learn these tools, you will also actively practice them in real time so that you're ready for the next tough talk when you leave.

2026 Business Brew Series: March 17th

Join us at our March Business Brew: Your Monthly Morning Networking Hub!

Held every third Tuesday, our monthly Business Brew event happens from 8:00AM to 9:00AM at a new space each month. This month, we will be at Sam's Furniture. This casual event provides a refreshing way to kick off your day and expand your network! The goal of our Business Brew event is to create an inviting space where you can meet other members, discuss your business, share your goals, and forge meaningful relationships. Conversations flow easily over a light breakfast and fresh coffee, helping you to connect authentically.

Feel free to bring your business cards, brochures, and any materials that tell your story! Wear your name tag and bring a door prize (optional).

Perks of Membership

Date and Time: Thursday, March

19th, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Perks of Membership is a relaxed, roundtable-style discussion open to both prospective and current Chamber members. Attendees will have the chance to introduce themselves, share what their business needs most right now, and connect with others while learning about the many benefits and resources the Chamber offers.

OSHA 30-Hour Training - Construction:

Presented by Harwood Safety LLC

Monday, March 23rd - Thursday, March 26th 

8:30 AM - 4:30 pM 

Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce

$300 for Chamber Members

Harwood Safety, LLC is offering an OSHA 30-Hour training course focused on construction. This session will be facilitated by Sarah Harwood. This course is accredited by Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. Must attend all four days to receive Department of Labor OSHA Card. 

For additional information, contact Sarah Hardwood directly at Sarah@HarwoodSafetyLLC.com or 479-275-6396. 

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