Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2025

TOTALS 2025 TOTALS

EVENTS CHAMBER

BUILDING SOCIAL FABRIC

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of events that provide valuable networking opportunities and avenues for business exposure. These events serve four primary functions for our members and the community: promote, honor, connect, and grow.

Academic Signing Day

• 40 students honored from Conway Christian School, Conway Public Schools, and St. Joseph School.

Annual Meeting

• 1,100 attendees

Featured speaker

Doug Virtue President, Virco

Annual

Meeting Award Winners

Guy W. Murphy Distinguished Service

Ed Clawson

Lloyd Westbrook Good Neighbor

Tim & Gena Ester, Barbara Satterfield

Business Executive

Beau Odom, PCSI

Young Business Leader

Joanna Nabholz, H+N Architects

Outstanding Nonprofit

United Way of Central Arkansas

Outstanding Hospitality

The Rogue Roundabout

Outstanding Retailer

Tipton & Hurst

Outstanding Large Employer

Green Bay Packaging

Outstanding Small Business

Bradford Fencing

Baggo for Business

• 90 business teams

• 180 participants

Biketoberfest

• 150 participants

• 12 routes throughout the Conway area

• 3 sponsored events

Blue Ribbon Workforce Awards

• Honored 24 Individuals from Agriculture, Construction, Skilled Trades, Industrial Supply, Manufacturing, and Utilities

• Business Expo & Taste of Conway

• 112 business exhibitors

• 23 restaurants

Bowling for Business

• 60 teams

• 300 participants

Catfish & Cold Ones

• 400+ attendees of all ages

CEO Luncheons

• 735 attendees

Speakers Included

Bart Castleberry

Mayor, City of Conway

Matt Szymanski

Vice President of Mill Operations, Green Bay Packaging

Will Ford

Chief Operating Officer, Westrock Coffee

Jamar Murchison

General Manager, Clayton Conway

Conway Area Healthcare Forum

Honoring individuals and companies making an impact on the overall health of the community they serve.

Special Guest Speaker

Adam Head

President and Chief Executive Officer, CARTI

Conway Area Healthcare Award Recipients

Nurse of the Year

Jo Lynne Gasaway, Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway

Physician of the Year

Dr. Tom Roberts, Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center

Healthcare Professional of the Year Brandy Herrin, Ridgemere Senior Living

Mental Health Professional of the Year

Scotty Smittle, Rise Counseling & Diagnostics

Administrator of the Year

Amanda Irby, Conway Regional Health System

Outstanding Dental Professional

Dr. John Scott, Conway Pediatric Dental Group

Outstanding Optical Professional

Dr. Scott Koontz, Arkansas Eye Care Group

Health Promotional Specialist of the Year

Jeramie Hinojosa, Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center

Community Impact Award

Dr. Gina McNew, Conway Regional Health System

Diversity in Business

Diversity in Business Awards

Outstanding Young Professional Zach Carter, Dave Creek Media

Outstanding Minority Business Kids ABA Services

Outstanding Business Executive

Jose Castro, Don Pepe’s, Los Tres Potrillos, La Pista Pizzeria

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Alice Hines, Hendrix College

Happy Birthday, Conway!

• Community birthday celebration of 150 years of Conway featuring food, crafts and street performances, displays and sponsor activities, and fireworks. Revealed the gift of a new mural to the city.

Illuminate

• 390 letters to Santa

• 2,000 coloring books distributed

• 27 houses in lighting contest

• 3,000+ attendees

Launch Conway

• 2,500 senior high students

• 8 schools

• 54 exhibitors

Off The Clock Events

• 2,000+ total attendees

• 3 communitywide events including UCA Men’s Basketball, Central Cold, and Conway Community Center.

Outlook Conway

• 300+ attendees

• Panel discussions on thriving local businesses, regional utilities, energy supply, and the local housing market.

SPARK!

• 4 nationally recognized speakers

• 400+ attendees representing more than 100 area businesses, nonprofit organizations, and schools.

Teacher Breakfast & Education Fair

• 100+ local businesses

• 800+ Conway Public School District and St. Joseph School employees at the breakfast and education fair in the CHS Cafeteria

• Breakfast Delivery to Conway Christian School to administration and faculty.

UCA Purple Passion

• 500+ attendees from the community to kick-off UCA Fall Athletics on the UCA Practice Field and Indoor Facility.

• Tailgate Wars between 20+ local restaurants and food vendors with Uncle Tim’s Catering as the crowd favorite winner of the tailgate trophy.

• Community Pep Rally emceed by Justin Acri and led by cheerleaders, coaches, sponsors, and President Houston Davis. Games, autographs, and activities with athletes.

Women in Business

• 340 attendees

• Featured speaker: Laura Landreaux, President and Chief Executive Officer at Entergy Arkansas

Outstanding Women in Business Honorees

Stacey Alston

Edward Jones

Jackie Bennett

First Community Bank

Eleise Myers

Conway Corp

Brooklyn Parker

Owens & Parker Law Firm

Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit

Courtney Leach

Community Connections

Joan Shofner

University of Central Arkansas

Diamond Achievement Award

Dr. Sharon Stone

St. Francis Veterinary Clinic

MEMBERSHIP

CREATING CONNECTIONS FOR BUSINESS

Our members help the Chamber achieve its objectives in economic development, advocacy, education and promoting a vision for the community. The support of the local business community helps the Chamber lead our community toward sustainable economic growth in a pro-business climate and facilitates the development of Conway into a nationally competitive, economically diverse city.

The growth of our Chairman’s Circle members has been the difference maker in our ability to compete at a national level. The support of this group of investors, at a level above $7,500 annually, underwrites the economic development, education, government affairs and placemaking initiatives of the Chamber and its sister organizations.

CONWAY TEAM

PRESIDENT & CEO

Brad Lacy, CCE, IOM

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Jamie Gates, CCE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Laura Grimes, IOM

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Lindsay Henderson, CCE, IOM

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Lee Hogan

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & GENERAL COUNSEL

Jenifer H. Kendrick

CHIEF ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Corey Parks, CCE, PCED, IOM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VISIT CONWAY

OFFICE MANAGER

Melissa Baney ACCOUNTANT

Gianna Beard

DIRECTOR OF TALENT

Leo Cummings III, IOM

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Cecilia Elliott

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Jordan Ester

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Jennifer Hiegel-Shelden

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Elise Harlan

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND SPECIAL EVENTS

CHAMBER INTERN

Grace Olsen

DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Jack Pillow

DIRECTOR OF TOAD SUCK

DAZE AND EVENTS

Mary Margaret Satterfield, CFEE, IOM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONWAY DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

Kim Williams

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF EVENTS

Therese Williams, IOM

PUBLICATIONS

Pulse of Conway

12 Print Editions

36,000

Copies Distributed with Arkansas Business

420K

Website Views Since Launch in November 2022

110K

Website Views in 2025

TELLING THE CONWAY STORY

Conway Publications Inc. continued to provide pertinent business news and updates through its monthly publication, Pulse of Conway. The monthly magazine focused on several industries of Conway’s economy, including health care, real estate, transportation and infrastructure, construction, banking, retail, manufacturing, and more.

The CONWAY+ Community Profile & Resource Guide highlighted key business professionals for newcomers to Conway to know in various industries, including restaurants, retail and shopping, automotive, real estate, and much more.

4,000

Copies Mailed to HighIncome Households & New Movers in Our Trade Area

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

ADVOCATING FOR COMMUNITY NEEDS

Each year Government Affairs underwriters invest in advocacy work at all levels of government. In February, the group helps sponsor an annual trip to Washington DC to meet with Arkansas’ delegation to advocate for business and local needs.

Several other meetings occur throughout the year with public officials relevant to local issues.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MEETINGS

• Congressman French Hill

• ARDOT Director Jared Wiley

• Mid-Session Update - Lobbyist Panel

• OBBB Overview Congressional Delegation Legislative Directors

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Acxiom

Arvest

Baptist Health

Medical Center-

Conway

Conductor

Conway Regional

Health System

Crafton Tull

Douglas Companies

Ensono

First Arkansas Bank & Trust

First Security Bank

Flywheel Energy

Gratus Wealth

Management, Northwestern Mutual

GARVER

Green Bay Packaging

Hendrix College

HSA Engineering

Klaasmeyer

Construction

Mercer Conway Nabholz

Construction

NativState

Pafford Medical Services

Pediatrics Plus

Rogers Group

Tokusen

Turbare

Manufacturing

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton

University of Central Arkansas

Virco Manufacturing

Weaver Bailey Contractors

TOAD SUCK DAZE

TOAD SUCK DAZE WINS GRAND PINNACLE BRONZE

Toad Suck Daze was named a Bronze Grand Pinnacle Award winner by the International Festivals & Events Association, the organization’s highest honor for festivals and events.

The Grand Pinnacle recognizes festivals that demonstrate excellence across all facets of event management — from programming and community impact to sustainability, operations, and long-term legacy.

In addition to the Grand Pinnacle honor, Toad Suck Daze received a Gold Award for Best Children’s Programming and Silver Awards for Best T-Shirt Design, Best Give-Away Item, Best Event within a Festival, and Best Sponsor Activation.

2025 TOTAL CHARITABLE GIVING

$30,000

$10,000 $10,000 $5,000 $4,000 $2,000 $3,140 $10,000 $5,000

Partnership with AT&T to Give 120 Computers to Faulkner County Students

Conway Downtown Partnership

Dolly Parton Imagination Library

College Scholarships for Faulkner County Students

Summer Lunch Program with ARcare Foundation and Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association

Toad Suck Daze Emerging Scholars

Conway Public Schools Foundation

Field Trips to Little Rock Zoo for Faulkner County Schools

Reynolds Performance Hall Main Stage Series

Conway Art Walk

Conway Public Schools STEAM Nights

UACCM Scholarships to Technical Programs and Certificates

$147,140

Total Charitable Contributions

90+

Events Funded by A&P Commission

22

Baseball Tournaments Hosted

$400,000

Hotel Tax Collections

$6.4 M

Restaurant Collections

7 Soccer Events and Swim Events Hosted in New Facilities

CONWAY VISIT

DRIVING GUESTS TO THE CITY

Conway saw the opening of the Conway Soccer Complex and Conway Community Center. Both amenities are not only great for residents, but serve as significant tourism drivers for the city as well. A&P tax collections topped $6.8 million, a 12.55% increase over 2024 collections.

Conway also is growing in the competitive youth mountain bike sector. The Tech Park Loop, located at the Conway Tech Park, has become a regular host for National Interscholastic Cycling Association events. In 2025, Conway hosted three events for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, bringing in 2,300 cyclists and spectators per event.

Baseball remains king of youth sports in Conway. For another year, Conway hosted more baseball than any other city in Arkansas. These tournaments bring in teams and families from across Arkansas and surrounding states who stay in local hotels and dine in local restaurants.

The A&P Commission used the tax dollars these events generated to fund over 90 events ranging from arts and music events to large-scale festivals, races and youth to college level sports tournaments.

FUELING OUR HISTORIC CORE

Downtown Conway is home to nearly 300 businesses and 2,800 employees. The downtown area boasts businesses in retail, entertainment, services, and corporate offices.

“It’s the heart of the city,” said Kim Williams, executive director of the Conway Downtown Partnership. “If your downtown is not strong, it’s not pumping anything out to the rest of the city.”

731,942

CONWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

THE JOB CREATORS

Economic development remained a central focus in Conway in 2025. Major capital investments and long-term projects signaled continued momentum and confidence in the market.

Green Bay Packaging

Green Bay Packaging announced a major expansion of its Arkansas Kraft papermill in Conway County, representing one of the most significant economic development projects in the region’s history. The $1 billion investment to modernize and expand the facility is the largest capital investment ever made in Central Arkansas. The multi-year initiative underscores the company’s long-term commitment to the region, where it has operated for more than five decades and employs more than 620 people across the region.

Data Center Campus

A major data center campus proposed in Conway took a major step forward as the company closed on a 743-acre site on Lollie Road in June. The project could become one of the most significant economic development projects in the city’s history. In 2025, the Conway City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with an unnamed U.S.-based Fortune 100 company to explore development of a large-scale data center campus. Early plans call for an initial facility of roughly 300,000 square feet and an estimated $1 billion investment during the first phase. Total capital investment could approach $60 billion. The project would likely be built in multiple phases over the next five to eight years, bringing hundreds of construction jobs as well as several hundred permanent technical and support positions to the region.

CONWAY AREA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

FINDING AND DEVELOPING LEADERS

2025 GRADUATING CLASS

Adena White Blackbelt Media

Amber Mayfield First Arkansas Bank & Trust

Amy Martin Insight

Angela Rowe Baptist Health Conway

Anna Hall Arcare

Ashley Weatherly Arkansas Federal Credit Union

Ashton Chwalinski Bank OZK

Audreka Peten University of Central Arkansas

Brandon Milligan Landmark CPAs

Brent Bennett Rogers Group

Brittni Adlong First Service Bank

Brody Hogg Centennial Bank

Bryan Sims American Safeguard Insurance

C.J. Fury Living Stone Lutheran Church

Candace Austin Green Bay Packaging

Cherelle Hunter Turbare

Chris Klein Insight Clint Cook Conway Corp

David Watkins McClelland Consulting Engineers

Debra Alfaro

Demi March Mathis Northwestern Mutual Edgar Castillo Arvest Bank

Emali Sommers Shipp Green Bay Packaging

Emily Grady KIDS ABA Services

Ethan Dolan Conway Regional Health System

Hailey Clevenger Conway Regional Health System

Hannah Hanshaw University of Central Arkansas

Hunter Druhan Virco

Ja’Colby Easter University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College

Jeff Crownover Conway Corp

Jennifer Mouser Salter Construction

Jeremy Walter RE/MAX Ultimate

Jodi Phillips Nabholz

Jonny Tyler New Life Church

Jordawn Tobias Malvern National Bank

Joyce Milligan First Security Bank

Kelli Brawley Natural State Recovery Centers

Kristi Strain Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

LaChonda Moore Acxiom

Laura Martin Turbare

Logan Dow Crafton Tull

Maleri Caldwell Chris Crain Enterprises

Michael Burmester Acxiom

Nadia Eslinger University of Central Arkansas

Shawn Thex Dillard’s

Sheree McMillen Ott Insurance

Spencer Clawson City of Conway

Tim Brown Krispy Kreme

Tim Guenther Virco

Tori Owens Conway Regional Health System

Tracie Spivey University of Central Arkansas

Troy Ealy Simmons Bank

Vicki Sullivan Weaver-Bailey Contractors

Wendy Blackwood

Healing Path Counseling

Zack Hale Entergy Arkansas

BOARDS GOVERNING

VOLUNTEER LEADERS SHAPING GROWTH

Conway Advertising & Promotion Commission

Mike Coats

Melissa Britton

Dustin Botsford

Jose Castro

Wes Pruitt

Shelia Isby

Andy Hawkins

Conway Area Chamber of Commerce

Korry Garrett

Matt Troup

Alison Cowles

Brad Lacy

April Bennett

Chris Boudrie

Chris Hervey

Kevin Wish

Brett Berry

Dawn Bramlett

Melvin Gonzalez

Liz Hamilton

Velda Lueders

Stephen Tipton

Jeremy Davis

Charles Frost

Jenny Lee

Garrett Morgan

Dustin Tackett

Mark Wilson

Bart Castleberry

Allen Dodson

Shelia Isby

Amy Whitehead

Karen Petersen

Emily Walter

Kimberly Morehart

Steven Tyler

Steve Presley

Justin McCarty

Lauren Blackwell

Laura Martin

Erik Sward

Osmar Garcia

Scott Street

Kenny Kinley

Brad Fason

Conway Development Corporation

Jake Nabholz

Jerry Adams

Bret Carroll

Mark Ferguson

Johnny Adams

Brad Hegeman

Ronnie Williams

Jim Rankin

Scotty Bell

Bunny Adcock

Houston Davis

Eddie Glover

Jeff Standridge

Corey Parks

Bart Castleberry

Karen Garrett

Drew Gainor

Mary Ward

Conway Downtown Partnership

Caitlin Bailey

Jay Bernard

Marcus Bobbitt

Rhonda Brooks

Jason Covington

Nita Kay Freeman

Crystal Floyd

Millie Goins

Dale Gottsponer

Joanna Nabholz

Lauren Norris

Tricia O’Connor

Grace Rains

Brent Salter

Felicia Rogers

Jessica Smith

Patti Stobaugh

Josh Walker

Kim Williams

Corey Parks

Conway Publications Inc.

Johnny Adams

Bill Adkisson

Lori Melton

Lori Ross

Jeff Standridge

Central Business Improvement District

George Covington, Sr.

Chris Crain

Raymond Kelley

Joanna Nabholz

Brent Salter

Conway Area Leadership Institute Advisory Board

Karla DeFreitas

Nick Stevens

James Tyus

Joel Shepard

Brandi Keith

Melanie Moore

Foundation Board

Lori Melton

Lane Housley

Bill Hegeman

Lee Ann Dietz

Gilberto Garcia

Greg Pillow

Denise Perry

Cate McConnell

Eric Hutchinson

Lindsay Henderson

Brad Lacy

Jenifer Kendrick