We talked to various chambers of commerce to see how 2008 progressed, what accomplishments were made, and what’s in store for 2009.

Benton

607 N. Market
501.315.8272
www.bentonchamber.com
Chamber CEO: Edwin J. Black
Board president: Alan Jessup
Number of chamber members: 568
Top three 2008 accomplishments:
1. Supported mileage increase for school district which resulted in successful passage.
2. Involved with city and county in island annexation which had a positive outcome.
3. Installed a web-based management system which resulted in direct communication and involvement with chamber members.
Number of ribbon-cuttings in 2008: 19
Top three goals for 2009:
1. Support the city, county and school district.
2. Grow the chamber both in membership and in service to members.
3. Actively be involved in attracting new businesses to area.
Major upcoming events:
Chamber banquet (Tuesday, Jan. 27)
Cajun Feast (March)

Cabot

110 S. First St.
501.843.2136
www.cabotcc.org
Chamber CEO: Billye L. Everett
Board president: John C. Thompson
Number of chamber members: 380
Top three 2008 accomplishments:
1. Growth in membership.
2. Working in partnership with other community entities toward the overall economic development of our community.
3. Increased attendance and participation at CabotFest.
Number of ribbon-cuttings in 2008: 44
Top three goals for 2009:
1. Develop programs designed to better serve the business community.
2. Work with community leaders for the betterment of the community.
3. Continue to work closely with the Cabot School District, the City of Cabot and Little Rock Air Force Base.
Major upcoming events:
Honors luncheon
CabotFest
Annual membership appreciation cookout
Annual membership ice cream social
Annual highway commission appreciation dinner
Other comments:
To work more efficiently in the area of economic development. To strive to develop programs that will assist chamber members during these tough economic times.

Conway

900 Oak St.
501.327.7788
www.ConwayArkansas.org
Chamber CEO: Brad Lacy
Board president: Andy Hawkins
Number of chamber members: 1,311
Top three 2008 accomplishments:
1. Hewlett-Packard, one of the world’s largest IT companies, announced in June plans to locate a state-of-the-art customer service and technical support center in Conway. The center will employ as many as 1,200 people in highly skilled technical positions.
2. Southwestern Energy Company announced in December plans to build a new regional headquarters in Conway to support its Fayetteville Shale operations. The $25 million, 100,000 square-foot building will be located on an 11.5-acre site at The Village at Hendrix College.
3. The Toad Suck Daze GetSmart Challenge was started with an endowment gift of $300,000 through the Community Foundation of Faulkner County and a pledge to contribute an additional $250,000 toward endowments over 2009-2012.
Number of ribbon-cuttings in 2008: 50
Major upcoming events:
Chamber Annual Meeting (Thursday, March 5)

Greenbrier

P.O. Box 418
501.679.4009
www.greenbrierchamber.org
Executive director: Love Hines
Board president: Jon Patrom
Number of chamber members: 180
Top three 2008 accomplishments:
1. Established a contracted labor position for the chamber.
2. Published first city directory.
3. Membership growth.
Number of ribbon-cuttings in 2008: 13
Top three goals for 2009:
Establish mission, vision and values.
Grow membership.
Promote business development.
Major upcoming events:
Annual banquet (Saturday, Jan. 24)
Miss Greenbrier Pageant (Saturday, Feb. 7)
Annual Golf Tournament (April)

Jacksonville

200 Dupree Drive
501.982.1511
www.jacksonville-arkansas.com
Chamber CEO: Amy Mattison
Board president: Phillip Carlisle
Number of chamber members: 427
Top three 2008 accomplishments:
1. 22,000 people attended Wing Ding.
2. Successful membership drive in December.
3. Over 3,000 people attended business expo.
Number of ribbon-cuttings in 2008: 9
Top three goals for 2009:
1. Support education in Jacksonville.
2. Membership retention.
3. Membership recruitment.
Major upcoming events:
Jacksonville Business Expo (Thursday, May 21)
Wing Ding Festival (Saturday, Oct. 3)

Little Rock Regional

One Chamber Plaza
501.374.2001
LittleRockChamber.com
Chamber President/CEO: Jay Chesshir
Board Chairman: Herren Hickingbotham
Number of chamber members: 1,750
Top three 2008 accomplishments:
1. Originating, coordinating and closing seven locations (including BJ Services Company, Man Industries, HP, Polymarin/WWT) and five expansions (Welspun, Cameron Valves & Measurement, Garver Engineers, Southwest Power Pool and Mainstream Technologies, Inc.), accounting for $324,927,900 in new capital investment, 3,209 new jobs and $115,684,000 in new annual payroll, which culminated in being named the hottest market in the South by Southern Business and Development magazine.
2. Surpassing $1 Billion ($1,016,265,211) in new capital investment from directly worked projects in the region since chamber first began staffing Metro Little Rock Alliance in February 2005, accounting for 9,371 new jobs and $322,921,208.
3. Achieving the most productive year in chamber history, including having the second highest percentage of certified chamber executives of any chamber in the nation, seeing the Annual Report named the country’s fourth best by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, increasing member Leads Groups’ reported business by over 150 percent to $5,321,012.41, and successfully launching Commerce Arkansas: A Knowledge & Networking Experience in partnership with Arkansas Business.
Number of ribbon-cuttings in 2008: 138
Top three goals for 2009:
1. Close location of Caterpillar (accomplished Jan. 5).
2. Remain true to the mission of being the economic development leader and voice of business for the region, while serving the business development needs of members.
3. Provide exceptional service, value and relevance for member businesses/organizations and prospects.
Major upcoming events:
Taste of the Rock (Thursday, June 4)
Bowling for Business (Tuesday, July 21)

Maumelle

115 Audubon Dr. Ste. 14
501.851.9700
www.maumellechamber.com
Executive director: Pam Rantisi
Marketing coordinator: Louise West
Board president: Dave Gattinger
Number of chamber members: 369
Top three 2008 accomplishments:
1. Increased membership.
2. Established a new website.
3. Moved to a larger office.
Number of ribbon-cuttings in 2008: Approximately 25.
Top goals for 2009:
Generate more income from website.
Continue to grow membership.
Major upcoming events:
Chocolate Fling – (Thursday, Feb. 12)
Annual banquet (Thursday, April 2)
Golf Tournament (Thursday, April 23)Commerce Arkansas: A Knowledge & Networking Experience (Tuesday, Nov. 3)
Annual Meeting (TBA