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2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 2

Join host James Bell in this second episode of a special four-part series of The Bentonville Beacon podcast, featuring live-recorded conversations at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with the thinkers and doers shaping the future of global tech in Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare and diversify the Northwest Arkansas economy. Now in its tenth year, the event is hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and is supported by nearly 100 partners, including Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Verizon, Salesforce, T-Mobile for Business, Zebra, Scott Family Amazeum and Arvest. These episodes bring together voices from the event to share their company’s stories, personal insights and unique #BecauseBentonville moments that define the community’s character. Tune in as we explore the innovations and experiences that are fostering a culture where technology meets the essence of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas!

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2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 1

Join host James Bell in this special four-part series of The Bentonville Beacon podcast featuring live-recorded conversations at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with the thinkers and doers shaping the future of global tech in Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare and diversify the local Northwest Arkansas economy. Now in its tenth year, the event is hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and is supported by nearly 100 partners, including Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Verizon, Salesforce, T-Mobile for Business, Zebra, Scott Family Amazeum and Arvest. These episodes bring together voices from the event to share their company’s stories, personal insights and unique #BecauseBentonville moments that define the community’s character. Tune in as we explore the innovations and experiences that are fostering a culture where technology meets the essence of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas!

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Greater Bentonville’s Role in Arkansas’s Growth and Prosperity

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald for a fascinating conversation about the state’s economic growth initiatives and the role Greater Bentonville plays in the state’s success. The Arkansas Department of Commerce’s mission is to champion economic opportunities through strategic initiatives and an equitable regulatory environment that attracts and grows businesses, safeguards consumers, enhances workforce quality and energizes the state’s infrastructure, creating a better quality of life in Arkansas. Throughout the episode, James and Secretary McDonald discuss Arkansas’s diverse economy, the importance of supporting its small businesses and entrepreneurs, the state’s booming outdoor recreation industry and much more.

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Healthcare’s Frontier: Attracting Global Medical Innovations

Summary
In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jeff Stinson for a compelling conversation about Bentonville’s unique culture and how it helps businesses thrive. Jeff is the Director of HealthTech Arkansas, which is driving innovation for Arkansas health systems through internal innovation programming and accelerators for medtech, healthtech and therapeutics that attract accomplished startup founders from around the world. A long-time leader in the Arkansas entrepreneurial ecosystem, Jeff recently relocated to Bentonville, where he gets to live, in his words, a charmed day-to-day experience. Throughout the episode, James and Jeff discuss how HealthTech Arkansas is facilitating healthcare innovation by focusing on clinical engagement, Northwest Arkansas’s rising whole health sector and Jeff’s life transformation in Bentonville.

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Exploring Bentonville, One of the Fastest Growing Cities in America

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell engages in a lively conversation with Bentonville’s Mayor, Stephanie Orman. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, Bentonville seamlessly blends its global prominence with the charm of a welcoming, tight-knit community. As Bentonville celebrates its 150th anniversary, its unwavering commitment remains–fostering progressive growth while continuing to uphold and further elevate its high quality of life.

Recognized as one of America’s fastest growing and most dynamic cities, Bentonville is distinguished as the cradle of Walmart – the world’s largest retailer and Fortune 1. Additionally, Bentonville and the broader Northwest Arkansas region are home to over 1,400 corporate offices, encompassing every recognizable retail brand. Remarkably, the area also boasts a presence of roughly 400 of the Fortune 500. Yet, the heart of the business community remains with small businesses, complemented by a thriving startup ecosystem.

Among its gems, Bentonville proudly hosts the internationally renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, breathtaking natural scenery and an extensive network of trails that have solidified its title as Mountain Biking Capital of the World. Join James and Mayor Orman as they delve into Bentonville’s exceptional lifestyle, its unparalleled global ties and community ethos that shapes Bentonville into a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Sculpting the Future: Vision for Pea Ridge

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell spends time with Pea Ridge Mayor Nathan See. Nestled beside Bentonville in Northwest Arkansas, Pea Ridge balances its rapid development with its rich history. In addition to being the gateway to Pea Ridge National Military Park, the city is located in close proximity to world-class businesses such as Walmart, J.B. Hunt and Tyson Foods. It is just 40 minutes from the University of Arkansas and is surrounded by outdoor recreation and cultural amenities just a few minutes away, including the picturesque Beaver Lake and the globally acclaimed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Join James and Mayor See as they explore the trajectory of Pea Ridge’s expansion, both current and future, under the mayor’s visionary leadership.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Cultivating Excellence in Bentonville Schools

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Dr. Debbie Jones, Superintendent of Bentonville Schools. Previously, Dr. Jones served as Assistant Commissioner for Learning Services at the Arkansas Department of Education where she led its largest unit, which worked to enact educational legislation. Additionally, James is joined by Teresa Hudson, Immediate Past Director of Bentonville Schools’ Ignite Professional Studies, a program that provides relevant learning experiences in collaboration with regional businesses, nonprofits and industry professionals. Throughout the episode, James, Debbie and Teresa discuss why Bentonville Schools ranks amongst the top 2 percent in the nation, the school system’s leadership in workforce development and the incredible opportunities offered to students through the Ignite Professional Studies program.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Exploring the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host Allie Johnston welcomes back to the show Kris Adams, Director of the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference, and it serves to further enhance, diversify and catalyze the economy of Bentonville and the Northwest Arkansas region. Throughout the episode, Kris breaks down what it takes to plan the NWA Tech Summit–and he shares what attendees may expect from this year’s gathering, the positive impact this important annual event has on the NWA community and why tech startups and scaleups are relocating, launching and growing in Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Highlighting the Spectacular Rise of Bentonville

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, regular host James Bell takes a seat in the guest chair to be interviewed by his intern Allie Johnston, who was matched with Bentonville Economic Development through the University of Arkansas’ Venture Intern Program. The Venture Intern Program connects undergraduate students from the university with startups, entrepreneurs, support organizations and investor networks for semester-long internships. Throughout the episode, Allie and James discuss James’ current role as Vice President for Economic Development at the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, how Bentonville is a place that punches above its body weight and the exciting things in store for Bentonville’s future.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Propelling the Future of Mobility

On this special episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Cyrus Sigari, who was appointed by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson as Chairman of the Arkansas Council on Future Mobility (ACFM). The ACFM recently released its Arkansas Future Mobility Report, which provides a bold, visionary and specific plan to ensure the state’s leadership in advanced mobility. Cyrus is also Co-founder and Managing Partner of UP.Partners. UP.Partners is an early venture capital firm building companies that move people and goods cleaner, faster, safer and at a lower cost on the ground, in the air, over the sea and in space. Additionally, Cyrus is Co-founder and Executive Chairman for jetAVIVA, a global brand that selects, acquires and sells high-performance aircraft–and he serves as a Board Member of Bentonville-based Game Composites, which designs and manufactures the world’s finest and most nimble aerobatic aircraft. Furthermore, he leads UP.Summit, the definitive annual gathering of leaders from around the world who are rethinking the future of transportation. Throughout the episode, James and Cyrus discuss the Arkansas Future Mobility Council’s recommendations and how Bentonville is a key driver in the State of Arkansas’ leadership in advanced mobility.

Thanks for tuning in!

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2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 2

2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 1

Greater Bentonville’s Role in Arkansas’s Growth and Prosperity

Healthcare’s Frontier: Attracting Global Medical Innovations

Exploring Bentonville, One of the Fastest Growing Cities in America

Sculpting the Future: Vision for Pea Ridge

Cultivating Excellence in Bentonville Schools

Exploring the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

Highlighting the Spectacular Rise of Bentonville

Propelling the Future of Mobility

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