Play Shop Local Bingo!

In an effort to promote shopping local, the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Shop Local Bingo game! This is an exciting opportunity to get involved in the community, visit local businesses, and enter for a chance to win some prizes.

When you shop local, you are stimulating our local economy, helping to create and retain jobs, giving back to the local community, getting access to better customer service, nurturing innovation & growth, and supporting the American Dream!

HOW TO PLAY: TAX SEASON BINGO

Step 1: Play and Complete Bingo Squares

Complete activities listed on the Bingo card by visiting or supporting businesses in our region. Be sure to like and follow our Chamber Facebook page for game updates and sponsor spotlights! Complete ANY 5 squares to get a Bingo!

Step 2: Submit Your Completed Card

Once you complete any 5 squares, submit your Bingo card by completing this form. All entries must be submitted by April 21st to be eligible to enter for the grand prize.

Step 3: Share Your Positive Experiences

Share your experience of shopping local on Facebook throughout the duration of the campaign. Be sure to tag the Chamber and use the hashtag #FSChamberBingo!

Important Dates

April 21st: Deadline to submit all entries

April 22nd: Grand prize drawing

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Shop Local!

First Friday Breakfast

Our First Friday Breakfast on March 6th was so enriching and informative!

This month's event featured a 'Women in Healthcare' panel including Teressa Brown, PT, DPT, PhD (Arkansas Colleges of Health Education), Samantha Cole (Mercy Fort Smith), Sandy Johnson, MD, FAAD (Johnson Dermatology), and Nycole Oliver, DNP (Baptist Health Fort Smith & Van Buren). It was moderated by Stephanie Freeman, Director of Career and Technical Education at Peak Innovation Center.

Panelists answered questions related to the healthcare field, technology's impact on the day to day operations, and addressing needs related to supporting the healthcare industry in our community.

Congratulations to our $100 free play incentive drawing winner, Alex Cardenas with Patriot Airpark! This drawing is possible thanks to Choctaw Casinos & Resorts.

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!

Presenting Sponsor: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Hosting Sponsor: Mercy Fort Smith

Buffet Sponsor: UAMS West Regional Campus - Fort Smith

Coffee Bar Sponsor: 1st Choice Pregnancy Medical Center, Valor Home Loans

Location Sponsor: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Incentive Drawing Sponsor: Choctaw Casinos & Resorts

Business Brew

Our Business Brew on March 17th at Sam's Furniture was so energizing!

Attendees formed new connections, shared their goals, and grew their businesses. A few local non-profits had the opportunity to set up booths and share their mission. 

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible! 

Presenting Sponsor: Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland

Hosting & Breakfast Sponsor: Sam’s Furniture- Fort Smith

Coffee Sponsor: The Fort Smith Convention Center

Business After Hours

We had the best time networking on March 19th at our Business After Hours event at unWINEd! Attendees enjoyed complimentary beverages, charcuterie, and mingling.

Thank you to everyone who came out for an evening of good drinks and great connections. Thank you to unWINEd for being our hosting sponsor!

Junior Leadership & Career Academy

That is a wrap on the JLCA Class of 2026, presented by OG&E!

During the closing session on March 4th, we celebrated our time together, recapped what we have learned, created some fun shades to remember our experiences, and closed the day with Mock Presentations of our group projects for Commencement.

It is a pleasure to watch the growth of the Junior Leadership students each year, which is all made possible by our great supporters of the program! 

Presenting Sponsor: OG&E

Platinum Sponsors: AT&T, Silgan Plastic Food Containers- Fort Smith AR

Annual Lunch & Break: Georgia-Pacific & Dixie

Gold Sponsors: ABB Motors and Drives US, First National Bank of Fort Smith, Hytrol, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, RightFiber

Leadership Fort Smith

Leadership Fort Smith takes on Little Rock! 

Thank you, Littlefield Oil Company, for sponsoring our State Government session on March 12th. The class spent an informative day at the State Capitol learning about our elected officials, what their offices oversee, and exploring the Capitol’s rich history and architecture.

A special thank you to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office, the Arkansas Auditor of State’s Office, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, Senator Justin Boyd, Representative Jay Richardson, and the many individuals at the Capitol who took time to welcome our class and share their insights.

During lunch, sponsored by AT&T, we learned about FirstNet and the work that AT&T does to advocate for business during legislative sessions. Thank you to Lisa and Jacob for the informative presentation.

We were also joined by Candice Lawrence from the State Chamber, who shared where Arkansas ranks compared to other states and discussed the organization’s efforts to strengthen the state’s business climate.

Thank you to our annual sponsors who continue to support professional development in our community! 

Presenting Sponsor: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Partner Sponsors: BHC Insurance, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith

Foodie Friday at Outback Steakhouse

We had a fantastic time during our Foodie Friday at Outback Steakhouse on March 13th!

Thank you to everyone who joined us to support a local restaurant and Chamber member. Congratulations to the giveaway winners!

Each month, Foodie Friday takes us to various Chamber-member restaurants, coffee shops, and dessert spots to support, network, and enjoy lunch or treats. This is a fun, casual way to show some love to our local food and beverage members while building stronger business connections across the community.

Stay tuned for our next Foodie Friday meetup announcement!

March Ribbon Cuttings

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

New Members in March

We are so excited to welcome these businesses as members!

Clean Cut Roofing

Premier Escrow & Closing, LLC

BeeYond Limits Consulting, LLC

Village Inn

Emergency Dental Group of Fort Smith

Colley Carehouse

Edward Jones - Keith Lux

Strawn and Associates, LLC

El Olvido Ozark Location 

Arkwraps Designs

Dustin Booth Agency

Highley Mechanical

AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH

February 2026

We would like to congratulate Vanessa Caldwell with Workforce Connections at the Fort Smith Workforce Center on being chosen as our February Ambassador of the Month!

Vanessa has worked at the Department of Commerce-Workforce Connections, at the Fort Smith Workforce Center for over 13 years in various roles helping people in the community with their employment and training needs. She is now the Regional Outreach Coordinator, and she does outreach to provide awareness to the community of the programs and services offered by Arkansas Workforce Connections by building and maintaining relationships with community organizations, businesses, and schools in the western region to connect jobseekers with employment and training opportunities.

The Fort Smith Workforce Center has Unemployment Services, Employment Services, Adult Education, Western Arkansas Planning & Development District, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, Veteran Services, Services of the Blind and AARP, located in the center, partnering together to provide services for everyone in our western region.

"As an ambassador and a member of the Fort Smith Chamber, I get to make those connections and help the people we serve at the workforce center. I love the relationships I have built in the area: with the other ambassadors and with the Fort Smith Chamber. We treat each other like family, by helping and supporting one another.

I am so grateful and honored to be the Ambassador of the Month of February."

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

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

Final Countdown to Secure Your Booth for the 2026 Business Expo & Career Fair! Only 5 Spots Left!

Vendor registration is STILL OPEN for our Business Expo & Career Fair! Network, recruit and grow your business all in one day at the leading Expo in the Greater Fort Smith Region! This highly anticipated annual event brings together chamber members, non-members, and local organizations in a vibrant business-to-business setting.

Are you ready to register your booth or interested in learning more? Contact Events Director, Arianna Daniels, 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!

Hosting Opportunity Available!

Host our Business to Business Luncheon on July 9th! This sponsorship provides a new way to showcase your business and get people in your doors. Hosting sponsors have the opportunity to hold the event at your location, welcome & network with attendees, and promote your business. Email Arianna Daniels for more information!

Sponsor a JLCA Student

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

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!

LFS Alumni Spring Mixer

Date and Time: Thursday, April 2nd, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Join us for the first Leadership Fort Smith Alumni's first event of the year! This casual, come-and-go event is a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow LFS graduates, grow your network, and enjoy a complimentary updated professional headshot. 

It's the perfect chance to refresh your connections, headshot, and commitment to LFS!

2026 Business 2 Business Connection Luncheon: April 9th

Join us at our April Business 2 Business Luncheon: Where Lunch Leads to Meaningful Connections!

You're invited to our Second Quarter Business 2 Business Connection Luncheon - an event designed to connect and inspire professionals over lunch from 12:00PM-1:00PM and a new space each quarter! This quarter, we will be at Hampton Inn. This dynamic event provides businesses and individuals with a platform to showcase their products and services through an interactive speed networking session. Whether you're a new entrepreneur or seasoned professional, this is your chance to expand your network, boost brand visibility, and create buzz about your company or organization!

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).

2026 First Friday Breakfast Series: April 10th

Join us on April 10th at 7:30AM at the PEAK Innovation Center! This month our featured guest speaker is Attorney General, Tim Griffin. 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!

Perks of Membership

Date and Time: Thursday, April

16th, 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.

Foodie Friday at Chick-fil-A Century Drive

Join us for breakfast at Chick-fil-A! It’s the perfect mix of networking, community support, and delicious food.

We’ll gather at Chick-fil-A on Century Drive at 9am. It’s a no-host event, so everyone covers their own food and drink items.

This is a fun, casual way to show some love to our local food and beverage members while building stronger business connections across the community.

2026 Business Brew Series: April 21st

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 Stonehouse Chaffee Crossing. 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).

Submit Your News

Share your news with us and it could be included in the next Chamber Connections newsletter!

This feature is to celebrate company milestones, employee recognition, promotions, or other accomplishments. Please utilize your Chamber Master account for events, deals, or general news releases.