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
Gig Coffee Socials are a monthly in-person gathering hosted by The Gig Community. We like to get together to bond over the unique triumphs and woes that being a gig worker bring. Our events are open to any 1099/contract worker in the 4-county Northwest Arkansas area! Even if you earn just a bit of income from self-employment/contract work, we want you to join us!
Cost: Free
Hear from Bold Retail's president Allan Peretz. Coffee will be provided by Jammin' Java. Opportunities for networking before and after the presentation.
$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: $30.00 - $40.00
Avg. Attendance 40 - 60
Rogers-Lowell Chamber Membership Required
This may be the best networking bang for your networking buck! Six business representatives sit at a table and each participant at the table has two minutes to promote their products and services. Then, we rotate to two other tables and rinse and repeat, which means you get to network with at least 18 participants. That's a lot of networking! So be sure to bring plenty of business cards, brochures, product samples, and promo items to hand out.
The Business After Hours business-building networking event keeps growing in popularity, with close to 100 business networkers attending on average at each event. One of the main reasons is that you get to mix and mingle with other Northwest Arkansas business professionals and find out what other businesses have to offer. It's a fun way to make new contacts, generate business leads, and find new vendors!
Cost: Free
Hailing all the way from Washington DC, Ashleigh Axios will share her experience working with a design-driven White House, her role at Automattic, and the ever-changing landscape of design. This event is in partnership with the University of Arkansas School of Art.
Cost: Free
This event will include watching some short videos and discussing some provocative questions about the future of work:
• Will the advance of technology mostly augment us, or will it replace the work we do?
• How will we re-skill workers whose livelihoods have been automated?
• What role should governments and corporations play in supporting workers displaced by technology?
• What skill sets will be most critical in the future of work?
A light lunch will be provided and all are welcome!
WalStreet Members: $0 | MainStreet Members: $25 | Non-Members: $50
The WalStreet Member Bike & Brew is a high energy social event for anyone wishing to make new friends, engage in our community, and increase their professional network while enjoying the world-class outdoor amenities NWA has to offer. This year's ride supports the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County. After the ride, enjoy food from Brightwater Culinary, and Brews from Bike Rack. Enjoy an exciting Bike Stunt Show from Chris Clark, Music and Fun!
Cost: Free
Avg. Attendance 50 - 60
An evening with famed entrepreneur, author and big data extraordinaire Charles Morgan, the visionary former chairman and CEO of Acxiom Corporation. Now Chairman and CEO of his latest tech venture, First Orion, Morgan reveals his post-retirement start-up success story, which he details in a new book Now What? The Biography of a (Finally) Successful Startup. His work at First Orion was recently highlighted in Time, USA Today, CNET, Washington Post, CBS News, Inc., Fortune, New York Post and The London Daily Mail.
Cost: Free
Food, drinks, and networking, plus learn more about becoming part of the NEW Sunshine School Young Professionals group. You can make a direct impact in Northwest Arkansas by partnering with the Sunshine School & Development Center through volunteering, special events, and networking opportunities.
Chamber Membership + WalStreet Membership Required
The Bentonville Chamber's WalStreet Speaker Series provides opportunities for Walmart and Sam’s Club executives to engage with front-line supplier employees. Steve Breen, SVP Merchandising at Walmart, will be the speaker for this event.
Free with Chamber Membership
Chamber Membership Required
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: $50.00
Avg. Attendance 600
The largest event of its kind in the state, the Springdale Chamber’s Chickin, Peelin’ & Politickin’ is the ultimate business/political networking event. More than 600 people attended this annual event that features governors, senators, congressmen and regional and local elected officials. Also in attendance are Springdale business and industry leaders. This provides exclusive access to key decision makers in a fun and casual reception and dinner.
$20.00
Avg. Attendance 150 - 300
GiveCamp is a weekend-long event where technology professionals and creatives including designers, developers, database administrators, marketers, content creators, and web strategists donate their time to provide technology solutions for non-profit organizations. Volunteers come to Northwest Arkansas from all over the state to make a major difference for the weekend!
Team Cost: $350.00 Members | $450 Non-Members
Registration Required
This is a fun opportunity to engage with others in the community, promote your business and encourage economic development of the area through networking. This event is open to both Main Street, WalStreet and non Chamber members. In addition to golf, there are also various sponsorship packages available offering you the opportunity to promote exposure for your brand in a relaxed environment.
Free
Avg. Attendance 50 - 60
The Startup Junkie team interviews Warren Stephens about his view of the Arkansas startup landscape, capital, and his experience in business.
$13.50
Note: It's unclear if non-members may attend.
Guest speakers will be Donna Galloway and Holly Johnson.
Free with Chamber Membership
Chamber Membership Required
Caffeinate is a monthly networking event for members and guests. You can count on making some valuable connections, delicious food, great coffee, and door prizes.
Cost: TBD
No details on this event yet but we'll update as soon as we know more!
Members: $0 | Non-Members $30
Avg. Attendance 15 - 45
Save the date – event information coming soon!
Cost: Team - $400.00
Rogers-Lowell Chamber Membership Required
Back for its third year, this popular event offers members a unique and fun opportunity to network with other business professionals and conduct business on the range at Gunsmoke Sporting Clays in Garfield. Sponsors may invite special customers/clients to join them as a gesture of thanks or reward employees with a day of team building. Shooters receive continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, ammo, goodie bags and beverages. Experienced and novice shooters alike are welcome!
Cost: Free
Gig Coffee Socials are a monthly in-person gathering hosted by The Gig Community. We like to get together to bond over the unique triumphs and woes that being a gig worker bring. Our events are open to any 1099/contract worker in the 4-county Northwest Arkansas area! Even if you earn just a bit of income from self-employment/contract work, we want you to join us!
Free
Avg. Attendance 50 - 60
Selling online is simple... in theory. Hitting KPI's across multiple online selling platforms is complex. Stonehenge Technology Labs is playing multi-platform eCommerce speed chess... with the smartest team on the planet! Hear from their Founder, Meagan Kinmonth Bowman. We'll be asking Meagan about her experience building a technology startup in NWA and some of the lessons learned along the way.
Free with Chamber Membership
Membership Required; Registration Not Required
This month's Business After Hours features "Networking with a Purpose," a nonprofit showcase hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders and the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. This event is set up so you can meet and network with contacts from a variety of local nonprofit organizations. You'll find out how you can volunteer and contribute, learn what services are provided by nonprofits, and discover what products and services these organizations need.
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.
$79 - $99
This Speaker Series brings together the resources of internationally-recognized subject matter experts to provide unique and actionable insights that increase your knowledge of all things retail and improve overall results. This event features a select group (to be announced) featuring 4-5 panelists including a representative from Walmart, a Supplier, an HR Specialist, possibly a Legal representative, and a Tech Expert.
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.
Free with Chamber Membership
Chamber Membership Required
Caffeinate is a monthly networking event for members and guests. You can count on making some valuable connections, delicious food, great coffee, and door prizes.
Cost: No information provided
This is an annual HR conference for managers, supervisors, and business leaders. This year's conference will feature presentations from Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C.
Cost: Free
Gig Coffee Socials are a monthly in-person gathering hosted by The Gig Community. We like to get together to bond over the unique triumphs and woes that being a gig worker bring. Our events are open to any 1099/contract worker in the 4-county Northwest Arkansas area! Even if you earn just a bit of income from self-employment/contract work, we want you to join us!
Cost: $30.00 - $40.00
Avg. Attendance 40 - 60
Rogers-Lowell Chamber Membership Required
This may be the best networking bang for your networking buck! Six business representatives sit at a table and each participant at the table has two minutes to promote their products and services. Then, we rotate to two other tables and rinse and repeat, which means you get to network with at least 18 participants. That's a lot of networking! So be sure to bring plenty of business cards, brochures, product samples, and promo items to hand out.
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.
This informal event being put on by both the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber and the Bentonville Chamber to 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.
Chamber Membership + WalStreet Membership Required
The Bentonville Chamber's WalStreet Speaker Series provides opportunities for Walmart and Sam’s Club executives to engage with front-line supplier employees. Simon Belsham, President at Jet.com, will be the speaker for this event.
Free with Chamber Membership
Chamber Membership Required
Caffeinate is a monthly networking event for members and guests. You can count on making some valuable connections, delicious food, great coffee, and door prizes.
Cost: Free
Gig Coffee Socials are a monthly in-person gathering hosted by The Gig Community. We like to get together to bond over the unique triumphs and woes that being a gig worker bring. Our events are open to any 1099/contract worker in the 4-county Northwest Arkansas area! Even if you earn just a bit of income from self-employment/contract work, we want you to join us!
The Business After Hours business-building networking event keeps growing in popularity, with close to 100 business networkers attending on average at each event. One of the main reasons is that you get to mix and mingle with other Northwest Arkansas business professionals and find out what other businesses have to offer. It's a fun way to make new contacts, generate business leads, and find new vendors!