Summary
‍The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare, and diversify the local Northwest Arkansas economy. In its ninth year, the NWA Tech Summit came back with 1,700 registered attendees when it returned in-person to downtown Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is an event hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and it is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, Northwest Arkansas Council, Walmart, J. B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, Salesforce, and the University of Arkansas Blockchain Center of Excellence.

‍Show Notes
‍(0:55) Introduction to Jennifer Thomas
(13:11) Introduction to Amy Hopper Swan
(22:25) Introduction to Clark Cogbbill
(32:10) Introduction to David Sanders
(41:58) Introduction to Andy Martin
(49:28) Closing Thoughts
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‍Links
JAMES BELL‍‍
‍BENTONVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT‍‍
2022 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT
JENNIFER THOMAS
PLUG AND PLAY TECH CENTER
AMY HOPPER SWAN
ARKANSAS RESEARCH ALLIANCE
HORIZON HEALTH SOLUTIONS
CLARK COGBILL
ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
DAVID SANDERS
INNOVATE ARKANSAS AT WINROCK INTERNATIONAL
ANDY MARTIN
WISHFLUENCE
ARKANSAS I-FUND & DELTA I-FUND AT WINROCK INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
BOB KURCHERAVY
KRIS ADAMS
GREATER BENTONVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE PREACHER’S SON
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Quotes
“Now we have this robust market of startups that are providing new opportunities for chronic health, are meeting consumers where they are and are changing how you approach healthcare…consumers have started driving their own healthcare in ways they hadn’t previously.” – Jennifer Thomas, (3:44)

“Arkansas Research Alliance has been around for fifteen years, and we exist to keep scientific talent in our state and recruit scientific talent here. We see this as a means to economic development. It’s a long-term outlook, but our scientists are pushing research forward, partnering with industry and creating their own companies and jobs for Arkansas.” – Amy Hopper Swan, (17:28)

“The whole mission and goal of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission is to increase jobs in the state and increase the average salary. To do that we help businesses that are already here grow, and we recruit businesses to the state.” – Clark Cogbill, (23:15)

“…it’s a wonderful program that really is a lead commercialization agent for the state. Our team of business and industry advisors help knowledge-based ventures grow in Arkansas. We focus on accelerating the business model and how we develop the talent and get founders and CEOs investible.” – David Sanders, (33:20)
“The ideal customer is selling the higher-end jewelry for us, and that’s because they’re probably a bigger store and just a little more sophisticated…A one to two store company, ten to twenty staff selling high-end jewelry items. That’s the exact type of company we’ve helped a few times already.” – Andy Martin, (44:05)‍‍‍
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