Summary
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jon Cadieux, President of NWA Workplaces, a company that offers private spaces, meeting rooms and virtual offices to businesses and organizations. NWA Workplaces’ mission is to make their client’s office lives comfortable, easy and fun in an effort to encourage increased productivity. In addition to NWA Workplaces, Jon also founded the Northwest Arkansas Tech Council as well as the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit, and he previously served as the President of the Rotary Club of Bentonville. Throughout the episode, James and Jon discuss the intricacies of NWA Workplaces, the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit and the growth Bentonville has experienced.

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‍Show Notes
(0:51) Introduction to Jon
(2:11) About NWA Workplaces
(6:11) NWA Workplaces Clients
(8:38) NWA Workplaces Services and Amenities
(11:42) NWA Workplaces Locations
(16:22) Challenges Jon Experienced
(20:28) Jon’s Accomplishments
(22:52) Founding the NWA Tech Summit
(32:40) The Rotary Club of Bentonville
(38:18) Why Jon Came to Bentonville
(41:13) Bentonville’s Growth
(46:59) Advice to Business Leaders
(56:00) #Bentonville Story
(58:48) Closing Questions
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‍Links
JAMES BELL‍‍
‍BENTONVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT‍‍‍
‍JON CADIEUX
NWA WORKPLACES
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TECH COUNCIL
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT

Quotes
“We have various other services that we offer, but mainly it’s all based around providing an office environment for people to get more work done.” – Jon Cadieux, (10:59)

“I’d say the biggest challenge I’ve had is myself. Sometimes you become the bottleneck for your company to overcome. So many entrepreneurs when they start out say ‘I’m going to do everything’…don’t put the tool belt on. You have to get other people to work in your business and then you work on your business.” – Jon Cadieux, (16:56)

“I wanted to have the Tech Summit be a thing for people who were working for big corporations, but also there be strands that small businesses owners could come and benefit from.” – Jon Cadieux, (29:46)

“If you want to compromise and live in a nice community or the new stuff that’s going to be coming online over the next couple of years, you still cannot beat [Bentonville]…I think it’s fantastic that people who are not high income earners can still live here and enjoy so much.” – Jon Cadieux, (45:50)

Creating Accessible Work Environments with Jon Cadieux of NWA Workplaces
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jon Cadieux, President of NWA Workplaces, a company that offers private spaces, meeting rooms and virtual offices to businesses and organizations. NWA Workplaces’ mission is to make their client’s office lives comfortable, easy and fun in an effort to encourage increased productivity. In addition to NWA Workplaces, Jon also founded the Northwest Arkansas Tech Council as well as the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit, and he previously served as the President of the Rotary Club of Bentonville. Throughout the episode, James and Jon discuss the intricacies of NWA Workplaces, the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit and the growth Bentonville has experienced.‍‍‍
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Benefits of NWA Workplaces
NWA Workplaces’ ideal customers are very specific. It’s companies that have been in business for at least two years or a startup with an individual who has some business acumen. Its clients include but aren’t limited to: startups, law firms, real estate agencies, Walmart suppliers, international tech companies, Fortune 100s, nonprofits, transportation and logistic agencies, tax specialists, investment firms and mental health providers. NWA Workplaces users vary from individuals who are their own bosses to those who work from home but prefer an office space or companies who might have office space but need a larger meeting room. 
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“We have various other services that we offer, but mainly it’s all based around providing an office environment for people to get more work done.” – Jon Cadieux, (10:59)

NWA Workplaces has two locations, and amenities vary based on location. Some amenities include easy parking, free coffee, day passes, printing, dedicated desks, booths for Zoom calls, mailing services, indoor bike storage and high-speed internet. NWA Workplaces offers memberships where members can access spaces during office hours unless they’re paying for a private office, to which they have access at any time.
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History of the NWA Tech Council and Summit
Before the Northwest Arkansas Tech Council developed into what it is today, it started as monthly meetings with guest speakers at the old Chamber of Commerce. At the time, to become a council member, you first had to become a Chamber member and pay an annual membership fee of forty-five dollars. Fortunately, in its first year, the council accumulated over four hundred members. After establishing a committee with prominent business leaders in the community, the group was officially named the NWA Tech Council.
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Moreover, the committee also determined there should be an annual conference, which became the NWA Tech Summit. The Tech Summit’s first keynote speaker was the Chief Information Officer for Walmart at the time, and over four hundred people attended the event. As of last year’s Tech Summit, the event now features around two thousand attendees spread across five Bentonville venues, and the Summit plans to celebrate its tenth year this October.
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“I wanted to have the Tech Summit be a thing for people who were working for big corporations, but also there be strands that small businesses owners could come and benefit from.” – Jon Cadieux, (29:46)
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Get Connected!
‍‍Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories from entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making a positive impact on Bentonville’s culture, community and lifestyle. Don’t forget, Bentonville is a place where you can have more of what you want and less of what you don’t! You may reach James at JBELL@GREATERBENTONVILLE.COM or (479) 273-2841.