Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Special Section

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VAN BUREN CHAMBER

Page 2 - Wednesday, May 30, 2018

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Letter from the chamber president Right Here. Right Now. While it is important to always factor in the future, your Van Buren Chamber of Commerce also knows the value in being present today. Focusing on the here and now helps us to evaluate the needs at hand for both the chamber and community. That includes addressing what is important to our members and celebrating exciting things taking place right in front of us.

As many of you know I am the new guy at the chamber.

After 44 years of banking, I retired, only to enter into a new phase of my professional career 42 days later, as the chamber president. Something I heard years ago was that you need to retire to something, not from something. Having been an avid supporter of chamber work

Terry Carson since 1984, this new role was a natural fit.

When the board of directors hired me in March, I was tasked with two primary goals:

membership growth and economic development. As of Dec. 31, 2017, the chamber base was comprised of 414 members. We have experienced growth this first half of the year, welcoming 21 new members, bringing our total to 435. While we are excited by this steady increase, we believe our organization has even greater growth potential.

Our Chamber Ambassadors will lead a membership drive in June. The goal is to make contact with 60-plus local businesses and to end the year 500 members strong.

We are also being very proactive about economic development. In April, I completed the Mid-South Basic Economic Development Training Course, sponsored by the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives. There I made

important contacts with AEDC representatives, chamber executives, economic developers and state chamber staff including our meeting’s guest speaker, Randy Zook. I have met with a local business and an AEDC project manager and we are currently evaluating tax incentive options for businesses who increase jobs and make a capital investment. Your chamber is also partnering with the City of Van Buren on the Competitive Communities Initiative Program and coordinating with Western Arkansas Planning and Development District (WAPDD) on a special project. A Crawford County Economic Development group has also been formed to tackle this issue.

As you can see, the chamber is hard at work helping to promote local business and strengthen

our area workforce. The upcoming Annual Meeting and Business Expo is a prime time to learn more about all the progress taking place throughout the region. The event will highlight city and chamber achievements, while giving members a chance to network with one another.

We will also honor many local leaders, including our Excellence in Business Award winners, our Ambassador of the Year and the Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year. We invite you to come and be part of this exciting evening and to help the chamber celebrate all of the exciting things that are happening “Right Here. Right Now.” Sincerely, Terry Carson President of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce

State chamber president to be keynote speaker Randy Zook, president/CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce’s 63rd Annual Meeting on May 31.

Hundreds of business and community leaders are expected to attend the event, which will be held in the Van Buren High School Commons. Zook will headline the program, which will also include a number of special award presentations.

The Arkansas Chamber/AIA

is the leading voice for business at the State Capitol and serves as the primary business advocate on all issues affecting Arkansas employers. Its mission is to promote a pro-business, freeenterprise agenda and prevent anti-business legislation, regulations and rules.

Prior to taking the helm of the State Chamber/AIA, Zook was the deputy director of administration and finance for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. For 34 years, he worked for Atlantic Envelope Co. of Atlanta, Ga., a $200-mil-

lion manufacturer of customprinted envelopes and business products, serving as president and CEO of the company from 1989 to 2004. He is currently serving on the boards of KIPP Schools in Helena-West Helena, Economics Arkansas, and McGehee Farm and Real Estate Co. “We are excited to welcome Mr. Zook to our Annual Meeting,” shared Van Buren Chamber of Commerce President Terry Carson. “His unique perspective on our state and region will be a great addition to our program. Our members will

not want to miss this wonderful event.”

Following Zook’s presentation, chamber leaders will present the organization’s second annual “Excellence in Business” Awards, as well as the prestigious Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year Award.

The Annual Meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with dinner, followed by the program and awards presentations. The Business Expo will take place prior to the meeting, beginning at 5 p.m. For more information, call (479) 474-2761.

Randy Zook

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VAN BUREN CHAMBER

Presenting sponsors

Platinum sponsors

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Gold sponsors Centennial Bank

Chamber of Commerce

Lumber One

Cross Pointe Insurance Advisors

Generations Bank

OG&E

Hawkins-Weir Engineers

Rhodes Chevrolet

Experian Fort Smith Regional

Hubbs, Belcher & Company CPAs P.A.

Turf & Pest Pro USA Williams Florist

Silver sponsors BancorpSouth

Lowe’s

Stirred Catering & Coffee

Chance 2 Dance

Marrlin Transit, Inc.

Time Striping Inc.

Crawford County Adult Education Center

Press Argus-Courier

Today’s Bank

Farmers Co-op

Progressive Business Systems LLC/Savin

United Federal Credit Union

Hope’s Creek Assisted Living & Retirement

Sparks Medical Center – Van Buren

Van Buren Fine Arts Center

Life 98.7

SPMI-My HR Professionals

WAEDA

USA Truck

Less waiting for emergency care (and a lot more care, if you need it).

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VAN BUREN CHAMBER

Wednesday, May 30, 2018 - Page 5

Chamber officers, executive committee

Joe Stewart Vice chairman

Steve Dufresne Board chairman

Aimee Arzoumanian Executive committee

Debbie Foliart Executive committee

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Jim Petty Past chairman

Steven Keady Treasurer

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David Young Executive committee

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Chamber ambassadors provide critical support It’s no secret that the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce could not exist without the incredible support of its volunteers. One such group, the chamber ambassadors, serve as the “boots on the ground” for the organization, helping to support members and promote the chamber’s mission throughout the community.

Led by co-chairs Beverly Johnson and David Short of Citizens Bank & Trust Co., ambassadors play many important roles. One of their primary functions involves membership recruitment and retention. Ambassadors help call on new businesses to share with them about the benefits of chamber membership. They

attend ribbon cuttings and grand opening ceremonies and help members celebrate moves and milestones. Ambassadors also encourage involvement among long-time members through networking at chamber events including the monthly Business After Hours gatherings.

“Our ambassadors help us expand our reach and enable us to better engage our membership base,” shared President Terry Carson.

Ambassadors are also on the scene at chamber functions held throughout the year. Participants volunteer their time setting up, serving at, and tearing down events. These include the Golf Classic, Dishin’ Up Democracy, Annual Meeting

Each September, hundreds of players, volunteers and sponsors come together for a fun day of networking and play at the Chamber Golf Classic.

One of the area’s most popular tournaments, the event includes a delicious, hot-off-the-grill lunch, followed by an afternoon on the course. Hole-inone prizes are offered each year, along with the chance to win big in contests such as “Closest to the Pin,” “Closest to the Line,” and “Longest Drive.” Door prizes are also awarded, as are honors for the top-finishing teams.

and Business Expo, and Festival of Trees, among others.

“With only a two-person staff, it would be impossible for us to hold these important events without our dedicated ambassadors,” noted Carson. “They help us stretch our limited resources. Ambassadors are the heart and soul because their volunteerism makes us strong.”

Participation in the ambassadors requires that individuals be employed by a chamber member. Ambassadors are chosen by existing members and other chamber leaders. Participants must be active in the organization and regularly volunteer their time at events, meetings, ribbon cuttings, and in helping to

recruit new members.

“Our ambassadors are truly an elite group of local leaders and professionals who understand the value of pouring into the chamber and community,” said Carson. “These individuals, and the businesses they represent, benefit from the networking and marketing opportunities made possible by the program. We are incredibly grateful to our ambassadors for the time and energy they devote to supporting the chamber, and we appreciate their employers allowing them the opportunity to serve.”

For more information about the ambassadors program, call the chamber at (479) 474-2761.

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VAN BUREN CHAMBER

Chamber snapshots

Van Buren Chamber of Commerce members are involved in a number of events throughout the year, including Junior Luncheons, Business After Hours and the Arkansas Scholars Banquet.

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Iverson Riggs Memorial Citizen of the Year recipients Crawford County Adult Education director Debbie Faubus-Kendrick (2017) Community supporter Debbie Foliart (2016)

Philanthropists Richard and Helen Hodo (2007)

Developer Dibrell Johnson (1995) Library supporters Ed and Shirley Yeager (2006) Community supporter Alan Swaim (2005)

Community supporter Lisa Huckelbury (2015) Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren Director Cindy Faldon (2014) Community leader Jim Petty (2013) Press Argus-Courier Editor Kenneth Fry (2012) Community supporter Mary Blount (2011)

Former retailer Susan King Skillen (1996)

Community supporter Fred Williams (2004)

Retired optometrist Dr. Louis Peer (1994) Founder of Robinson Real Estate Earl Robinson (1993)

Van Buren Mayor John Riggs (2003)

Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission chairman Rusty Myers (1992)

Community volunteer Debbie Thomas (2002)

Former Van Buren Mayor Gene Bell (1991)

Community leader Cathy Gifford (2001)

Banker and businessman Raymond Allen (1990)

Former State Sen. Morril Harriman (2000)

Longtime Van Buren Boys/Girls Club volunteer Jimmy Lansdell (1989)

Realtor/developer Jimmy Bell (1999)

Retired Van Buren High School football coach Clair Bates (1988)

Community supporter/nurse, emergency medical professional Susan McCartt (2009)

Businessman and school board member Dorvan Wiley (1998)

Community supporter/educator Donna Parker (2008)

Former Van Buren Mayor Allen Ray Toothaker (1997)

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Educator Lonnie Myers (2010)