Save the Date for SEMC 2022 OCTOBER 24–26, 2022, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SEMC 2022 PROMOTIONAL VIDEO Mark your calendars for the 2022 SEMC Annual Meeting which will be held at The Embassy Suites and Rogers Convention Center, featuring 400 guest rooms and 125,000 square feet of flexible meeting space under one roof. There are over 60 restaurants within a mile and a half as well as museums, cultural sites and even a Topgolf within walking distance for extra fun! Rogers (similar in metro population size to Chattanooga, TN or Lexington, KY) is nestled in the middle of Northwest Arkansas (NWA) in the Ozark mountains. NWA is one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. With over a half million residents and counting, NWA is poised to be one of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas by 2023. The bulk of the region’s population consists of Rogers and its three next-door neighbors, Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Springdale. In yet another unique conference year, all four cities will play host to SEMC2022 events providing attendees an opportunity to visit each location and experience the museums and historic sites that make up its cultural fabric including the famed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville and satellite campus The Momentary, a contemporary art space for visual, performing, and culinary arts. Why the growth? NWA has long been known nationally as home to industry giants Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Many other Fortune 500 companies that do business with the “Big Three” have offices in the region, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, 3M, General Mills, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Hershey, and more than 1,400 other companies. Those fortunate enough to relocate
to Rogers and the region, enjoy a quality of place almost unmatched anywhere in the country. NWA is also home to the University of Arkansas and its nearly 28,000 students. The University conducts cutting edge research in a variety of sectors. What about getting to Rogers? Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) makes getting to Rogers and Northwest Arkansas a breeze. The airport is located 12 miles from the Convention Center. With 25 destinations, XNA now has the most direct flights in the state and more than some metros twice its size. American, Delta, United, Breeze, Allegiant, and Frontier all fly through XNA. Taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, and car rentals are all available at the airport for your convenience as well as group shuttle options. Information forthcoming. Located near the geographic center of the country, Northwest Arkansas can be an easy drive from nearby cities; 2 hours from Tulsa, 3 hours from Kansas City, 3 hours from Little Rock, 3.5 hours from Oklahoma City, 4 hours from Wichita, 5 hours from Dallas, 5 hours from Memphis, and 5 hours from St. Louis. What makes Rogers and NWA different? The Natural State: Wherever you go in Arkansas there are endless outdoor activities and NWA is certainly no exception. The Ozark mountains offer unexpected outdoor excursions few places in the country can rival. You can scuba dive in Beaver Lake, spelunk in War Eagle Cavern, or hop on a mountain bike in a designated IMBA Ride Center. Arrive early, stay late — experience a unique part of the SEMC region in 2022. More details and registration information coming soon!
Art trail with Maman by Louise Bourgeois at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
19
