The following is a list of networking events in Northwest Arkansas that will be happening in 2018. Events are added and updated weekly as new information becomes available, so check back often! (For a list of B2B networking groups that meet regularly in and around Northwest Arkansas visit our B2B Networking Groups page. And if we've missed any events (or you spot one that needs a correction), shoot us an email via our contact form!
Cost: Free
Avg. Attendance 300
The IdeaFame Live Contest (brought to you by Startup Junkie) is the in-person version of www.IdeaFame.com (which is a site designed and developed by Doc4, just so ya know!). IdeaFame Live is an event created to promote startups and new ideas, and to increase "creative collisions" in emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems. Come pitch your new business, product, service, or solution for a chance to win BIG!!
Cost: Free
Join the Conductor for Startup Grind with Jeston George, CEO and Founder of Apptegy! Get the chance to ask Jeston questions about starting a business from scratch over a meal.
Cost: Free
In the last meeting, we identified several areas of passion in our chapter to explore further. One of those is the intersection of Sustainable Food and exponential technologies. In this meeting, we'll dive deeper into some of the possibilities in this space, using Exponential Organization principles as our guide. Brian Hughes will be sharing learnings from a recent certification process as an ExO coach with OpenExo, where he and an international team took a deep dive into this space.
Members: $45 | Non-Members: $55
Registration Required
The Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce's annual State of the Chamber lunch will be held March 1st. Chamber President/CEO Graham Cobb will be reviewing the year and discussing the new things on the horizon for 2019. Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce members will also be recognized at the lunch for leadership and community service.
Cost: $10.00
Avg. Attendance 100 - 150
This unique, Christ-centered event brings together (literally) hundreds of professionals from all over Northwest Arkansas (and beyond) for 'connection, equipping, and fellowship'. The Summit also brings in some pretty impressive business and civic leaders from around the country to share insights you just can't get anywhere else. Plus, lunch is top class, and the door prizes are probably the best in the area! The speaker for this event will be Joe White, President of Kanakuk Kamps.
Cost: Free
Avg. Attendance 75
Mix and mingle with other Northwest Arkansas business professionals and find out what other businesses have to offer.
Eleven at Crystal Bridges is opening the new bar/servery in time for us to check out the scene and enjoy complimentary appetizers, discounted drinks and food.
Membership May Be Required (We aren't sure...)
Networking, drinks*, and professional development! This is part of a new leadership development series for 2019 from Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders. "L.E.A.D" (Leadership, Education, Activation & Development) will give you the opportunity to network and learn from some of the region’s top (and also up-and-coming) leaders.
The series will kick off with Michael Iseman from Startup Junkie. Michael will be teaching the importance of self-care and efficient ways to perform regular self-maintenance in order to stay sharp and avoid burnout. You’ll walk away having identified some of your own early indicators, learn some tips for when life is getting a bit out of balance, and take away some tools you can use to make the necessary pivots to get quickly back on track.
Members: $10 | Non-Members: $25
This NEW Northwest Arkansas Kick-Off Connect will bring members and non-members from all industries together to network and learn about the value of getting more involved with NEW in 2019. Your event ticket includes complimentary food and beverages donated by Beam Suntory and raffle tickets to giveaways from the event sponsors.
Agenda
• 4:30 pm: Registration, Networking, Enjoy Food and Beverage
• 5:00 pm: Welcome, Sponsor Recognition, NEW videos
• 6:15 pm: Closing Announcements and Raffle
Cost: $30 (Free for Veterans, UA Staff, Faculty, and Students)
Registration Required
This basic seminar discusses essential startup steps, legal business structures, regulations and licensing, key issues that affect your business success, and common pitfalls entrepreneurs face. Cal Rose from Wright Lindsey Jennings will address the legal issues affecting small businesses and Nathan Harris of United Bank will address small business lending. This is a must for first-time small business owners!
Young professionals meet-up series called 'After 5', brought to you by leisurelist. Come alone or come with friends and meet like-minded young professionals. The first two rounds are on us (for the first 50 people, 21+), so all you need to do is register for your free ticket and show up!
Cost: $10.00
Avg. Attendance 100 - 150
This unique, Christ-centered event brings together (literally) hundreds of professionals from all over Northwest Arkansas (and beyond) for 'connection, equipping, and fellowship'. The Summit also brings in some pretty impressive business and civic leaders from around the country to share insights you just can't get anywhere else. Plus, lunch is top class, and the door prizes are probably the best in the area! The speaker for this event will be Lori Ann Biggers, CEO and co-founder of Bella Vaughan, Inc.
Free with Chamber Membership
This informal event being put on by the Bentonville Chamber will allow you to showcase your company, meet with other members of the business community and network in a casual atmosphere. Refreshments and food will be provided.
Cost: Free
An evening of free business networking hosted by Keller Williams' realtors Cameron LaGrone and Kevin Boortz. Bring your business cards! Light, complimentary appetizers will be served on a first come first serve basis. All attendees are responsible for their own alcoholic beverages.
Cost: $35 (Free for veterans!)
More and more buyers are looking to social media before making purchases. In this seminar, we'll review social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Google My Business. The seminar will also cover social media marketing campaign basics including the 10-4-1 rule, content types, campaign cadence and voice.Registration is required.
Join the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce as they recognize the importance athletics has to our region both culturally and economically. Hear from the leaders of community sports programs and highlights of the previous and upcoming year.
Cost: $10.00
Avg. Attendance 100 - 150
This unique, Christ-centered event brings together (literally) hundreds of professionals from all over Northwest Arkansas (and beyond) for 'connection, equipping, and fellowship'. The Summit also brings in some pretty impressive business and civic leaders from around the country to share insights you just can't get anywhere else. Plus, lunch is top class, and the door prizes are probably the best in the area! The speaker for this event is currently TBA.
Cost: Free
Join NWA Networking (www.nwanetworking.com) for their 3rd LIVE networking event! Open networking, guest speaker, door prizes, food and drinks.
Members: $0 | Non-Members: $30
Avg. Attendance 15 - 45
Human Resources Professionals days are filled with awkward and uncomfortable situations. It's human nature to turn and run in the other direction when we encounter these situations. Whether it is having a hard conversation or calling someone on their behavior, this is hard stuff and takes a mind shift and PRACTICE to get good at. This session is designed to provide the tools to not only deal with "awkwardville" but grow from it.
Cost: $10.00
Avg. Attendance 100 - 150
This unique, Christ-centered event brings together (literally) hundreds of professionals from all over Northwest Arkansas (and beyond) for 'connection, equipping, and fellowship'. The Summit also brings in some pretty impressive business and civic leaders from around the country to share insights you just can't get anywhere else. Plus, lunch is top class, and the door prizes are probably the best in the area! The speaker for this event will be Kim Eskew, CEO of Harps Food Stores.
Free with Chamber Membership
Chamber Membership Required
Complimentary snacks and drinks, door prizes, and networking with other members of the Fayetteville Chamber.
Members: $25 | Non-Members: $35
The Teacher of the Year Luncheon offers local businesses and organizations the opportunity to thank and celebrate our Teacher of the Year winners, and show support for the Bentonville Schools. It also provides a time of fun and networking with the teachers and other community members.
Cost: Free
Do you have a prototype or a solution? Need to get funders, partners, or customers onboard? Learn key storytelling techniques in a low-risk, highly interactive speed-pitching session.
Members: $10 | Non-Members: $25
Stay tuned for more details!
Cost: $11.42
Come out to the 29th Annual Home Show and explore over 100 vendors. See the industries newest trends for remodeling and building the home of your dreams!
The Four No-Fail Ways To Screw Up Your Startup @Fuel is a presentation designed for Sci-Tech startups looking to avoid the common growing pains that plague so many companies.
Members: $10 | Non-Members: $25
Stay tuned for more details!
$0 - $99
Techstars Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation, Techstars Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night demos and presentations. Participants create working startups during the event and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs. The weekend is centered around action, innovation, and education. Whether you are looking for feedback on an idea, a co-founder, specific skill sets, or a team to help you execute, Techstars Startup Weekends are the perfect environment in which to test your idea and take the first steps towards launching your own startup.
Attend an Open Call for Shark Tank! You will be given the opportunity to do a 1-minute pitch of your business/product/idea to a member of the Casting Team -- just like you would as if you were on the show.
Kyle Kellums of KUAF will facilitate an interview with Hosseini to discuss his life in writing and newest book "Sea Prayer," an illustrated book on the refugee crisis.
$15.00
This event is held each year in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer.
Members: $45 | Non-Members: $55
This celebration offers well-deserved recognition to small businesses for their achievements and contributions to our community by offering the opportunity to showcase their company, share their story and be rewarded for their efforts.
This is the largest and longest running job fair in Arkansas. This event is FREE to job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their resumes to hand out to potential employers. And this is a perfect opportunities for employers to search for the right employees and get a head start on hiring needs for the year.
Cost: Free
Avg. Attendance 30
Fayetteville Chamber Membership Required
Complimentary breakfast, door prizes, and networking with members of the Fayetteville Chamber.
$120 for Team of 4
Compete and drink for charity! This signature sell out Miniature Golf Tournament promises to be the best one yet! Stay tuned for some new additions and surprises to be announced early 2019. Each team enjoys free beer, snacks, music and the chance to win prizes. The highlight of the night is the putt-off contest for the opportunity to win the coveted Mini-Masters Green Jacket. Proceeds benefit Open Avenues as they work to help people with disabilities right here in Northwest Arkansas by offering job and life skills training, onsite employment, job placement services and transportation.
Cost: Team - $800.00 | Single - $200.00
Registration Required
This four-person scramble tournament is a fun way for Chamber members to come together, compete for prizes and network with other players. It’s a great way to treat yourself, reward company employees and say thank you to special clients on the golf course.
Players can test their skills in the hole-in-one, longest drive, closest-to-the-pin and putting contests. Prizes will be awarded for top finishing teams and individual contest winners. Each golfer will receive two complimentary adult beverage tickets, snacks, and non alcoholic beverages. Breakfast will be served for the morning golfers. Lunch will be provided to every golfer.
Members: $30 | Non-Members: $40
34 new people are moving to NWA each day, with Bentonville being one of the fastest growing cities. Investing in quality of life is vital to the growth of our community, there is no shortage of things to do in northwest Arkansas; where nature meets art, meets music, meets food, meets education; so on. These intersections are what make the region so unique. During this lunchtime discussion, you will hear from business representatives about the growth of Bentonville's education scene and how it impacts your business.
Members: $30 | Non-Members: $40
34 new people are moving to NWA each day, with Bentonville being one of the fastest growing cities. Investing in quality of life is vital to the growth of our community, there is no shortage of things to do in northwest Arkansas; where nature meets art, meets music, meets food, meets education; so on. These intersections are what make the region so unique. (The topic for discussion is currently TBD - check back for updates!)
The event that celebrates local teachers who are making a big difference in the world. Teachers give our children so much and use their classrooms as the first steps in educating the next generation of workforce that will keep our businesses and our community thriving well into the future. Though we can never thank them enough, this event is an opportunity to let them know how much we appreciate all that they do.
$65 - $149
Avg. Attendance 1,500
The NWA Business Women's Conference is the premier women's conference in the region. Known for its outstanding keynote speakers and networking opportunities, more than 1,500 of northwest Arkansas' most accomplished business women attend the conference each year.
Cost: $100.00 - $150.00
Great developers aren’t just found in the Valley, or Seattle, or New York. They’re right here in Arkansas, in the heart of America. In the middle of “nowhere.” The name, Nowhere Developers, is our way of tipping our hats to all the incredible developer talent in our region. For this reason, our mission is to provide a platform for industry professionals to engage in top-notch, pure-tech events in the state of Arkansas.
The Nowhere Developers Conference will star local, regional, and national speakers that will talk about the state of technology, software engineering, machine learning, and our region’s technology ecosystem. The conference will feature various expert-led sessions tailored to our attendees technological interests. Local food will be provided to foster community and attendee interaction. Additionally, attendees can look forward to networking, appetizers, and drinks at the afterparty.
Cost: TBD
Avg. Attendance 1,000
The Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit brings together small businesses, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, retail and suppliers, technology, academia and communication and social media professionals to celebrate technology, innovation and the power of digital in shaping our future. Forward-thinking and practitioner-driven general session speakers and high value breakout sessions deliver ways to effectively collaborate on innovative solutions to common business challenges and learn how technology is powering change and leveling the playing field.
Members: $30 | Non-Members: $40
34 new people are moving to NWA each day, with Bentonville being one of the fastest growing cities. Investing in quality of life is vital to the growth of our community, there is no shortage of things to do in northwest Arkansas; where nature meets art, meets music, meets food, meets education; so on. These intersections are what make the region so unique. During this lunchtime discussion, you will hear from business representatives about the growth of Bentonville's entreprenurial scene and how it impacts your business.