The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame will not be selecting a new class of inductees for 2021.
The Hall of Fame board has elected to pause the inductee selection due to concerns over COVID-19. According to board chair Jason LaFrance, the board did not want the 2021 class to be prevented from having an in-person ceremony for their Hall of Fame induction.
“We know how much gathering family, friends, colleagues and others to share in the honor of being inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame means to the inductees and their families,” LaFrance said in a statement. “We did not want to choose a class that wouldn’t be able to celebrate their big night in Little Rock, so we have decided to pause selection of new inductees for a year.”
The 2021 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame ceremony had been scheduled for Feb. 10 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
According to a University of Arkansas news release, Hall of Fame inductions remain active for five years, and current active nominations will have one additional year of eligibility added to compensate for 2021 induction pause. Any nominations received in 2021 will be considered new when the selection process begins for the 2022 process.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, individuals must have a significant impact as a business leader, a demonstrable concern for improving the community, an ethical approach to business dealings, and living candidates must be over the age of 60.
READ MORE: Five Arkansas Leaders Graduate from DLI Executive Academy
