Business Weekly
September 21 – 25, 2009
- State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting to be Held October 19th
- Governor’s Quality Award Banquet to Honor 2009 Recipients
- Leadership Arkansas Class IV Selections Announced
- Chamber “Door-to-Door” Regional Meetings Continue
- Ad Deadline Extended for Arkansas Manufacturers’ Directory
- State Chamber/AIA Tax Committee Sets Course for Future
- Arkansas Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Update
- Leadership Arkansas Class IV Kicks Off with Retreat and Tourism Session
- State Chamber Partnering with ADWS to Address Workforce Issues
- How to Win an Election Seminar Slated
- H1N1 Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses Announced
- Disability Employment Job and Information Fair Set for October 5th
- Pep Rally/Tailgate Event Planned Prior to UA-Auburn Football Game
- Women Business Owners to be Honored at State Chamber/AIA Brunch
- Small Business Council Sets Final Meeting for 2009; Survey Completion Requested
- Study Highlights Specialized Education for Future Innovative Entrepreneurs
- Travel Promotion Act Expected to Bring Visitors, Jobs to Arkansas
- Welcome to Our New Members
- Thanks to Our Pinnacle Members
- Calendar of Events
State Chamber/AIA to Hold Annual Meeting on October 19th
The State Chamber/AIA will hold our 81st Annual
Meeting on Monday, October 19th at the DoubleTree Hotel in
U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln will be the keynote speaker. A Congressional Briefing with members or staff from the Arkansas Congressional Delegation will also be held, as well as a General Member Meeting and a Networking Lunch. Below is the Annual Meeting draft agenda:
9:00 a.m. Check-In
9:15 a.m. Keynote Address: Senator Blanche Lincoln
10:15 a.m. Congressional Briefing
Members of the Congressional Delegation
11:00 a.m. Business Session
Status of Organization, Recent Statewide Activity & Vision for Future
Randy Zook, State Chamber/AIA President & CEO
Election of State Chamber/AIA Officers and Directors
Randy Wilbourn, State Chamber Chairman
Ray Dillon, AIA Chairman
12:00 noon Remarks: Governor Mike Beebe
Congressional Staff Networking Lunch
For sponsorship information, contact
To register for the Annual Meeting, click here, go to the event and click on the registration link.
For additional information contact Deb Mathis at 501-210-4212 or dmathis@arkansasstatechamber.com.
Governor’s Quality Award Banquet to Honor 2009 Recipients
The Governor’s Quality Award Banquet will be held
Monday evening, October 19th, at the DoubleTree Hotel in
Tickets for the banquet are $75 each; tables of 10 cost $750. Reservations are required and the deadline to register is October 9th. To register or for additional information, contact Governor’s Quality Award Program Director Sue Weatter at 501-372-2222 or sweatter@arkansasstatechamber.com.
The Governor’s Quality Award program, which is affiliated with the State Chamber/AIA, was developed to provide opportunities for all organizations in the state to measure their progress in the journey of performance excellence.
The Award is used by all types of businesses, healthcare organizations, schools, government agencies, churches and other types of organizations interested in improving quality, productivity and financial effectiveness. The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is used as a basis for the Arkansas process combining the advantages of using the most current, comprehensive and widely accepted criteria available to assess progress toward long-term improvement of organizations
Leadership
A total of 45 individuals from throughout the state were recently selected to participate in Leadership Arkansas Class IV. These individuals are a diverse and interesting group of extraordinary business, educational and political leaders. Over the past three years, Leadership Arkansas has been fortunate to have the support of the Arkansas General Assembly with the former Speaker of the House serving as a class chairman and members of the General Assembly participating in the classes. Click here to see a roster of the Class IV members.
Created by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and
Associated Industries of Arkansas, Inc., Leadership Arkansas introduces its
participants to a statewide view of the economic and political challenges
that face our state. Over a nine-month period, participants receive the
equivalent of a postgraduate degree in “how
Leadership
C. Tad Bohannon, a partner with the Wright, Lindsey & Jennings law firm, is serving as Leadership Arkansas Class IV Chairman.
Leadership
Chamber “Door to Door” Regional Meetings Continue
The State Chamber/AIA continued its series of “Door
to Door” Regional Meetings with events on September 10 in Searcy,
September 15 in Mountain Home, September 16 in
The meetings have drawn state and local chamber leaders,
community leaders, local business representatives and state legislators. They
feature presentations on state and federal governmental affairs issues and
State Chamber/AIA programs and events by State Chamber/AIA President and CEO
Randy Zook, Executive Vice President
Additional “Door to Door” meetings are planned
for September 28 in Arkadelphia, October 28 in
For further information, contact Deb Mathis at 501-210-4212 or dmathis@arkansasstatechamber.com.
Ad Deadline Extended for
The advertising deadline for the State Chamber/AIA Arkansas Manufacturers' Directory has been extended.
The Directory will be published in October and will
contain in-depth company profiles of more than 4,000 industrial businesses.
Each
Copies of the Manufacturers' Directory will be distributed to State
Chamber/AIA members, membership prospects and manufacturers throughout
The Arkansas Manufacturers' Directory will have a one-year
shelf life and will be a good marketing vehicle for you to promote your
services among our members, membership prospects and manufacturers throughout
the state.
For information on advertising rates and specifications, contact
State Chamber/AIA Tax Committee Sets Course for Future
The State Chamber/AIA Tax Committee met on September 21st. The committee recommended that the State Chamber/AIA continue to work on a further reduction in the states sales tax on manufacturers’ utility costs, which has been the top tax priority of the organizations in the past two legislative sessions.
The committee also recommended that we continue efforts to
extend the net operating loss carry-forward provision that was attempted in
the 2009 session, continue efforts to clarify the machinery and equipment
exemption, and continue efforts to increase the time for local sales tax
rebates. The committee also agreed to work toward eliminating or reducing the
capitol gains tax in
Leaders of the State Chamber/AIA Unemployment Insurance Committee participated in the quarterly meeting of the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (DWS) ESD Advisory Council on September 11. The DWS staff reported that the Arkansas Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund is now projected to have a negative balance of ($228.3) million at the end of 2009. Projections for 2010 and 2011 have not yet been completed.
The legislative change that the Council made in 2009 in regard to quits and discharges is now projected to save the UI Trust Fund $38 million instead of $20 million as projected prior to the 2009 legislative session. The change in UI laws required by the federal stimulus (alternative base period) is now projected to cost the state about $6 million annually, which is up some from the original projections during the 2009 legislative session.
At the national level, 21 states including
Leadership
Arkansas
Class IV Kicks Off with Retreat and Tourism Session
Leadership Arkansas Class IV kicked off with a Retreat and
Tourism Session on September 13-15 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in
Future sessions will include:
·
State Chamber/AIA Annual
Meeting/Governmental Session, October 19-20,
·
Central Arkansas Session, December
3-4,
·
·
South Arkansas Economy Session,
March 18-19, 2010,
·
Northeast/Delta Economy Session,
May 20-21, 2010,
·
·
Leadership
Sponsorships for each of the sessions are available at the
$2,500 level (Presenting) and the $1,000 level (Participating). Contact
For additional information on the Leadership Arkansas
program, contact
State Chamber Partnering with ADWS to Address Workforce Issues
Do you want to own
your own business, be your own boss, and use the entrepreneurial mindset to
take control of your future? Do you own a business and want to make it grow
and be more profitable? Then plan to attend the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services' Get in the
Game Entrepreneurial Conference on Tuesday, November 3rd at
Verizon Arena in
The Get in the Game Entrepreneurial Conference will focus on providing individuals with the necessary information to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. These range from self-employment opportunities to creating a new venture with employees, as well as outreach to dislocated workers across the state. Your organization has valuable information to share, so we invite your participation in this event as an exhibitor. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED; FREE ADMISSION and COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH!
The
Please, mark your calendar today for the Arkansas Workforce
Summit to be held November 5, 2009, at
the Verizon Arena in
The Arkansas Workforce Summit is an
interactive conference, delivering practical, demand-driven solutions for
today's workforce challenges. The
Plenary Sessions will include:
- The Governor's Workforce Cabinet: Integrating Education, Workforce and Economic Development
- Building Work Ready Communities
- State Sector Strategies: Regional Solutions to Address Skill Needs
Breakout Sessions will address:
- Retaining
- Town Hall: Hear From Employers What Employers Need in Skilled Workers
-
-
- Registered
Apprenticeship: Meeting the Skilled Workforce Needs of
- Educating
The
For more information on attending these events, please call 1-888-281-9717 or visit www.dws.arkansas.gov.
If you would like to
be an exhibitor on November 3 or November 4, please call
How to Win an Election Seminar Slated
The State Chamber/AIA is partnering the Arkansas Farm Bureau to again present the “How to Win an Election” Seminar.
The two-day seminar will be held November 3-4 in the Bob
Lamb Conference Room of the
Attendees will learn how to:
- Evaluate the candidacy,
- Clarify issues,
- Plan campaign strategy,
- Create an effective organization and
- Manage the money
The seminar was developed by the American Farm Bureau, an organization noted for its understanding of the political process, with the help of professional political consultants and staff members of the Democratic and Republican parties. The instructors are members of the American Farm Bureau Federation team. Videotaping, a case study and a computer simulation allow attendees to test techniques, tools and methods.
The cost is $225 for a candidate, $225 for a campaign
manager, $225 for a spouse without a candidate and $195 for a spouse when
joining a candidate. The fee includes materials, two lunches, a Tuesday
evening reception and refreshment breaks for both days. It does not include
overnight lodging, so participants will need to make arrangements for their
stay in
Space is limited. Attendees must register by October 20, 2009. To register, click here. For additional information, contact Stanley Hill at 501-228-1654 or stanley.hill@arfb.com.
H1N1 Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses Announced
A preparedness guide designed to assist small businesses in planning for the possibility of an H1N1 flu outbreak this fall has been announced by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Small Business Administration Administrator Karen Mills and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have made clear the importance of flu preparedness for small businesses.
“Small Business owners should take the time to create a plan, talk with their employees and make sure they are prepared for flu season,” said Mills. “For countless small businesses, having even one or two employees out for a few days has the potential to negatively impact operations and their bottom line. A thoughtful plan will help keep employees and their families healthy, as well as protect small businesses and local economies.”
Outbreaks of H1N1 flu are occurring now across the country and will likely coincide with the return of seasonal flu this fall and winter. The preparedness guide offers small business employers tools and information to help them plan for and respond flexibly to varying levels of severity of an H1N1 outbreak—which may lead to increased absenteeism, and, if the outbreak becomes more severe, may include restricted service capabilities and supply chain disruptions.
Employers are encouraged to put strategies in place now to protect their employees and their businesses in advance of the fall flu season. Included in the preparedness guide are tips on how to write a continuity of operations plan, steps for keeping employees healthy, frequently asked questions about the 2009 H1N1 flu and a list of additional resources that employers can access online.
To download the booklet, click here.
Disability Employment Job and Information Fair Slated for October 5th
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is partnering with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, the EmployAbility Project, Arkansas Outreach for Emerging Communities and the Arkansas Governor’s Commission on People With Disabilities to hold a Job and Information Fair highlighting Disability Awareness Day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 5th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at 201 S. Shackelford Road in Little Rock.
The Job and Information Fair is open to representatives of business, government, service providers, education and others. For additional information, contact Ginny Wiedower of Goodwill Industries at 501-372-5100, ext. 127 or gwiedower@goodwillar.org.
Pep Rally/Tailgate Event Planned Prior to UA-Auburn Football Game
The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce is inviting members,
“Rockin’ with the Razorbacks”
Friday, October 9
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Northwest Arkansas Mall Parking Lot
This event will include a brief talk by Jeff Long, U of A
Athletic Director and calling the hogs with Razorback Cheerleaders. There will be coaches, athletes, Tusk
II, and Miss University of Arkansas, Amy Crain, present for autograph and
photo opportunities. At this FREE event, food, music, face painting and door prizes
will be provided as they cheer on the Hogs for the following day’s game
against
For more information, contact: Kelley Atchley of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce at 479-521-1710 or katchley@fayettevillear.com
Women Business Owners to be Honored at State Chamber/AIA Brunch
Women business owners in
The event is free to all women business owners in the
state. Please RSVP your attendance to
Small Business Council Sets Final Meeting for 2009; Survey Completion Requested
The State Chamber/AIA Small Business Council has scheduled its final meeting for 2009 on Thursday, November 5th. The meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the State Chamber/AIA Conference Room.
The topic for the November 5th meeting will be “Disaster Preparedness.” Lunch will be provided as well as a legislative update.
A survey was recently distributed to everyone on the Small
Business Council roster. If you have not filled out and returned your copy of
the survey, please do so as soon as possible. If you need another copy of the
survey, contact
Study Highlights Specialized Education for Future Innovative Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship education is becoming more available at
American universities, and researchers are looking at the results, according
to a new study supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s
Office of Advocacy. The study is based on initial findings from a survey
funded with a challenge grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to
the
Students who took an entrepreneurship class were more likely to have engaged in three types of “innovation”: offering new products or services, obtaining patents or copyrights, and using production techniques that differ from those of the industry’s main competitor. Not surprisingly, graduates who have taken such courses are significantly more likely to select careers in entrepreneurship.
Results suggest that there is a strong correlation between respondents having taken an entrepreneurial course and their self-reported skill in identifying new business-related opportunities. The researchers hope additional data will help instructors identify educational approaches to train prospective innovative entrepreneurs by helping them identify promising technological developments and other opportunities for innovation.
The study is based on a pilot survey of students at five
universities conducted in April and June 2008. Lessons learned in this
analysis will be incorporated in future surveys, which will include
additional universities in the
The full study is available online by clicking here.
Travel Promotion Act Expected to Bring Visitors,
Jobs to
U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln said the Travel Promotion Act
recently passed by the Senate will help bring visitors and jobs to
“Growing up, I was fortunate enough to spend time on
The bill would establish a public-private partnership called the Corporation for Travel Promotion to be funded through private contributions and a $10 fee for travelers from countries that do not pay a visa fee to enter the U. S.
“For too long, the
Experts estimate that the legislation would attract 1.6 million new international visitors annually, create $4 billion in new spending, and drive $321 million in new federal tax revenue. Nearly 40,000 new American jobs would be created
Thanks to the following companies and organizations that have recently joined the State Chamber/AIA:
Advantage Communications
Cargill Meat Solutions Corp.
Fidelity National Information Services
McCormick Asphalt Paving/Excavating
National Erosion Control
Schindler Elevator Corp.
Sumotext
The Riggins Group
Tim’s Signs
Unique Benefit Solutions Inc.
United Way Heart of
Thanks to Our Pinnacle Members
Thanks to Fidelity National Information Services which recently joined the State Chamber/AIA Pinnacle ranks as a Crown member. We would like to express thanks to all of our Pinnacle investors, the respected companies that support the State Chamber/AIA at the highest annual investment levels. We appreciate all that they do for us.
APEX
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Chesapeake Energy, Inc.
Cox Communications
Southern Bancorp, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc.
XTO Energy, Inc.
PEAK
Arvest Bank
AT&T Arkansas
BP America, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy Southern Gas
Electric Cooperatives of
FedEx Freight - East
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Kraft Foods
Nucor/Nucor-Yamato
Oaklawn Jockey Club
Southwestern Energy Company
State Farm Insurance
Verizon Wireless
Windstream Corporation
CROWN
Acxiom Corporation
AEP Southwestern Electric Power
Albemarle Corporation
American Greetings Corporation
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation
Bank of the Ozarks
CardinalHealth
CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Company
Crossland Construction
Deltic Timber Corporation
Dynegy
Evergreen Packaging Company
Experian
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.
Fidelity National Information Services
Forest Oil Corporation
Glad Manufacturing/A Clorox Company
International Paper Company
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Lion Oil Company
McKee Foods Corporation
Nabholz Construction Corporation
OG+E
Petrohawk
Philander
RebeccaRice & Associates
Riceland Foods, Inc.
Russellville Steel Company Inc.
Signature Bank of
Stephens Inc.
The Clorox Company
The Trane Company
Transplace
US Bank
Waste Management
Weyerhaeuser Company
Wright Lindsey & Jennings
September 28 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Arkadelphia
October 19 State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting
State Chamber/AIA Board Meeting
DoubleTree Hotel
October 19 Governor’s Quality Award Banquet
DoubleTree Hotel
October 19-20 Leadership
Governmental Session
State Capitol
October 22 Women
in Small Business
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
State Chamber Conference Room
October 28 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Harbor Oaks
October 29 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Town Club
November 2 State Chamber/AIA Tax Committee Meeting
1:30 p.m.
State Chamber Conference Room
November 5 Small Business Council Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
State Chamber Conference Room
November 11 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location TBD
December 3-4 Leadership
