Little Rock Regional Chamber -

With election season on the horizon, navigating the complexities of political discussions in the workplace becomes a critical skill for employers. To ensure your workplace remains informed and respectful, join us for our free Take a Break & Educate: Politics in the Workplace webinar on Wednesday, March 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Daveante Jones and Stuart Jackson from the Wright Lindsey Jennings Labor & Employment team will guide you through the legal consequences of not addressing these matters appropriately and provide insights on achieving a balanced approach that respects all viewpoints while minimizing legal risks. Register here: https://bit.ly/TABEMarch2024

In response to the growth of local companies, the Little Rock Regional Chamber identified a critical need for talent attraction. The Little Rock Love Connection Program was launched on May 1, 2023 (501 Day) and was strategically designed to allure out-of-state professionals with potential ties to Arkansas. Through this initiative, the Chamber received resumes from 37 states and 9 countries. We will continue to act big in the talent attraction and workforce development space, recognizing that a skilled and diverse workforce is crucial for our growing region. Learn more here: littlerockchamber.com/page/developing-talent . . . #LoveLittleRock #ActBigThinkBig #EconomicDevelopment

Join us at Cantina Laredo on Tuesday, February 20 for a networking lunch like no other. #TastyTuesday is your chance to mingle with fellow business professionals, explore collaborations, and enjoy delicious food! 📌 Lunch is on you, but please register so we can make sure the restaurant is prepared: https://bit.ly/TastyTuesdayFeb2024 The Ambassadors of the Little Rock Regional Chamber will be there to welcome you and spark connections. Just drop in anytime and stay as long as you'd like. See you there! #Networking #LoveLittleRock #LittleRockRegionalChamber #ambassadors

In December, Elopak announced its selection of Little Rock for a $70 million facility after evaluating 25 locations across 5 states. In the final stages of the project, Little Rock was not the biggest site considered. In fact, it was the smallest, but “it acted big, it thought big,” according to Reinard Dreesmann, the company’s Vice President for the Americas. Over the next 10 weeks, we’ll reveal ways Little Rock is #actingbig and how we're #thinkingbig about the future of our region. Learn more: https://youtu.be/xijHCGXrnmQ

"If you employ people, do not take them for granted. If you aspire to a better job, there is a wide-open path, especially if you are eager to acquire new skills." 👷‍♂️📈💼 A new report from Metroplan finds that the Little Rock regional economy has stabilized in the aftermath of COVID-19, and local unemployment hit a historic low of 2.3 percent in April and May 2023. The Leisure/Hospitality and Health/Education sectors have emerged as the champions of job growth over the past year. 💪 Dive into the full report here: https://bit.ly/3Oz09tg . . . #LoveLittleRock #economicrecovery #careeropportunities #talentinitiatives

👐 We hope everyone left our #FinalFriday networking lunch with a renewed sense of making a difference! ARVAC, Inc. enlightened us about Lake Point Recovery and Wellness in Russellville, a facility dedicated to supporting individuals dealing with substance use disorders. Their comprehensive approach, covering conflict resolution, parenting skills, employment readiness, and more, empowers those on their journey toward a life of recovery. Thanks to this month's host, Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association - ACAAA, which serves as the hub for ARVAC and 13 other community-based private, nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to low- to moderate-income individuals across the state. We can't wait to see you at next month's Final Friday, hosted by Bank OZK, on Friday, February 23 --> https://bit.ly/FinalFriday_Feb2024 . . . #networking #lovelittlerock #community

HAPPY NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER DAY! As soon as you step out of your car in the parking lot of the SKIPPY Peanut Butter production facility in Little Rock, you're hit with the strong and delicious smell of peanuts. 🥜 That's because approximately 800,000 pounds of peanuts are brought to the plant by rail car each day, translating into more than 3.5 MILLION pounds of peanut butter each week in 11 varieties. So, if you have a jar of Skippy in your pantry, just remember that it's all thanks to Metro Little Rock's extensive rail system for deliveries and distribution. The Skippy facility opened in 1977 and it has succeeded over the past few decades because of the innovative spirit of our area's workforce and our ability to adapt and streamline production to stay ahead of the curve in modern food processing. It's why we are thrilled to say Happy National Peanut Day! . . . #HappyNationalPeanutButterDay #EconomicDevelopment #LoveLittleRock

What’s the best way to understand, communicate, and connect with an eager audience? Join the Little Rock Regional Chamber, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas for our first Cultivate Professional Development session of 2024, presented by Baptist Health. Our panelists will share "Tools to Become a Public Speaking Professional" on Wednesday, February 7 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Library. UA Little Rock's Leadership Academy's Sarah Clements will guide you in a workshop on effective ways to adapt to your audience and ease presentation angst. Cultivating an effective presentation can lead to a myriad of positive next steps. We’ve also invited Kelly Fleming, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas, to share her insight on how she has used public speaking in her different roles throughout her 20+ years of work in nonprofit organizations. Join us at our first Cultivate series of 2024, presented by Baptist Health, on Wednesday, February 7, from noon to 1 p.m. Delta Dental of Arkansas powers the Q&A sessions to ensure we all feel engaged and connected. Tickets can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/Cultivate2024_PublicSpeaking

WELCOME TO THE TEAM! We are very happy to introduce you to Anna Vick, our newest Manager of Member Development. She will be an exceptional addition to our team, engaging and supporting our community businesses. Here are some fun facts about Anna: 🏡 She was a realtor and helped numerous families move to central Arkansas! ⛰️ Her idea of a perfect day in Little Rock is an early hike on Pinnacle Mountain, then brunch with friends, an afternoon at a museum or lecture, and dinner downtown followed by live music. 🥁 She's a former drum line captain, so don't be surprised if we start walking in straight lines! 😍

ATTN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS! Sign up to get invaluable business counseling with SCORE Hours at the Chamber! We have openings for tomorrow, January 9 --> https://bit.ly/3S9vV2c 🆓 There's no charge for mentoring services 💼 You don't have to be a Chamber member ⌛ Takes place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., in thirty-minute increments​​​​​​​ 📅 Appointments are REQUIRED! Certified SCORE Mentors will provide confidential business counseling and can assist at all levels, from initial idea to exit strategy.

🎉 Start 2024 off right with our New Member Orientation, proudly sponsored by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. 🎉 Join us on Tuesday, January 16th, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. where you'll have the chance to: ✅ Meet our dedicated Chamber staff and learn about their roles in supporting our region and your business. ✅ Discover invaluable strategies to connect with fellow members. ✅ Unlock the full benefits of the Chamber's programs and services. ✅ Gain insight into our advocacy and economic development initiatives. This event is FREE of charge, but we kindly ask you to register in advance to secure your spot. ☑️ https://bit.ly/4ayGiE1 Whether you're a new member, part of a new company, or returning after a hiatus, Chamber 101 is tailored for anyone eager to enhance their membership experience. 🌟 We'll also provide coffee ☕ and light refreshments 🥐 to fuel your morning and ensure you're ready to seize the day!

DID YOU KNOW? When you join the Chamber, you are able to offer and use our Member-to-Member Discount Program. You can create and track your coupons and see what other members offer. It's just one of the many perks you get as a Chamber member -- a chance to engage with other business leaders to grow our economy and enhance our quality of life! https://www.littlerockchamber.com/page/member-benefits

“As one of the largest disability service organizations in Arkansas, we are proud to be leading the charge to educate and bring awareness at the high school level about the opportunities for employment within the disability community." The Academies of Central Arkansas announced today the establishment of the United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas Academy of Leadership and Social Services at Mills University Studies High School.

Dassault Falcon announced today it is expanding its presence in Little Rock to support the development of its new Dassault Falcon 6X and 10X models. This expansion represents a significant capital investment and will create 800 new jobs, making this one of the largest economic development projects in the modern history of the City of Little Rock. https://www.littlerockchamber.com/article/1375151

Norway-based Elopak announced that it will build a new production plant in Little Rock, creating 100+ jobs and investing an initial $66 million. The facility will support the manufacturing of packaging for liquids such as milk products, juices, eggs, and other products. More here: https://www.littlerockchamber.com/article/1365347

Make a resolution that is both meaningful and achievable! We invite you to join us in 2024 for our upcoming Cultivate series, which will delve into valuable topics to make you a more effective business professional. Let's turn our experiences into stepping stones and make the coming year our most successful one yet! We'll be sharing more details soon. Thanks to Baptist Health for presenting our final Cultivate session of the year, Refocusing Your Resolutions. FOX 16's Ashlei King moderated the discussion with Kristen Krauss (Baptist Health Behavioral Health Clinic), Mandy Burton (Baptist Health Urogynecology Clinic), Amanda Leija (Edward Jones) and Maria Isabel Barrero (Spaces 2 Love). We looked back at the past year while creating tangible ways to carve out clear, achievable objectives for the New Year.

We want to thank each and every one of you who pitched in to help rocket the 2023 Career Expo to the heights of success! 100+ local employers and organizations ignited an exhilarating day of vibrant career and higher education exploration for 3,000+ Freshman scholars. Check out more photos here --> https://bit.ly/3MMtdga The 2023 Career Expo extravaganza, presented by AT&T, is part of the Academies of Central Arkansas' innovative teaching and learning model, currently sparking minds in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, Little Rock School District, North Little Rock School District, and Pulaski County Special School District. If your organization is interested in getting more involved, just fill out this form: https://lnkd.in/gSVjg4Hv

On Halloween weekend, Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXIX participated in the annual LGLR Retreat at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa sponsored by VSC Fire & Security, Inc. Class members began the retreat by taking a deep dive into their personality types to learn how to communicate with others in the most effective manner. In keeping with tradition, volunteers from the Leadership Greater Little Rock Alumni Association cooked an incredible dinner for the class to enjoy as they continued their learning and fellowship through this program. If you want to apply for the opportunity to participate in next year’s class, please contact the LGLR Executive Director, Kellen Davis, at kdavis@littlerockchamber.com to be notified when the Class XL application goes live in April 2024.

WE'RE HIRING! Do you have a desire to connect with and support our community businesses? We'd love you to be a part of our team. Learn more about our career openings here: https://www.littlerockchamber.com/o/lrrc/page/chamber-careers

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Our #TastyTuesday Halloween costume contest was chock-full of fascinating characters! We had everyone from Morticia Addams to the mysterious Women in Black and even a cheeky Little Debbie treat. Talk about a tough decision! But the crowd's heart was stolen by the one and only Princess Peach, who walked away with a nifty gift card from our generous host, Town Pump. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy a delicious lunch and a few rounds of karaoke! You can keep up with all our events by bookmarking our online calendar --> https://www.littlerockchamber.com/events