Long a logistical powerhouse, Arkansas is also positioning itself at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing, energy and life sciences. General Dynamics, Welspun Tubular and Key Tronic Corporation recently announced multimillion-dollar projects. Meanwhile, state initiatives are fostering economic growth. The Arkansas Office of Skills Development is strengthening workforce pipelines, while the Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions initiative is helping companies modernize. In February 2025, the state launched the 75Strong initiative to bring together officials from all 75 counties to drive a statewide economic development policy
Advantage Arkansas: Offers credits for new full-time jobs providing an average wage of at least $15.99/hour. Companies may earn credits for five years to offset up to 50 percent of Arkansas income tax liability annually.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
arkansasedc.com
Association of Arkansas Development Organizations
arkansaseconomicregions.org
Little Rock Regional Chamber
littlerockchamber.com/economic-development
Fort Smith Regional Alliance
fortsmithregionalalliance.com
Four Fortune 500 company HQs
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
