The fast-growing Benton County cities of Rogers and Bentonville anchor the equally fast-growing northwest Arkansas metro, and each city operates a tourism arm to complement its local chamber of commerce and help drive economic development.
Especially in high-profile places such as northwest Arkansas, home to multiple Fortune 500 companies and a growing list of attractions that draw visitors from around the globe, these hyperlocal tourism offices tend to swallow up most of the headlines. Their work, however, represents just one component of a city’s economic-development efforts.
The Rogers Lowell Chamber and Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce work to ensure the cities benefit from their tourism efforts. Their job is to attract, keep and nurture the businesses that help the cities grow and remain viable tourist destinations.
Carrie Chambers, vice president of marketing and communications at the Rogers Lowell Chamber, said Destination Rogers — the city’s tourism arm — helps bring people to Rogers through tourism and events, which has a direct economic impact.
Carrie Chambers, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Rogers Lowell Chamber
“The chamber’s role is to support the businesses that make our community strong every day,” she said. “Whether it’s advocating for business, developing leaders, supporting workforce initiatives or helping businesses build relationships, the chamber is focused on creating an environment where businesses can grow and succeed. Together, those efforts help drive Rogers’ continued economic growth.”
Walmart AMP
Brandom Gengelbach, president and CEO, Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, said his team’s role is simply to help local businesses succeed.
Brandom Gengelbach,
President and CEO, Bentonville Area Chamber
“We serve as the voice of business and bring together leaders from the private sector, education, local government, philanthropy and nonprofits to strengthen our economy and quality of life,” he said. “One of the things that makes Bentonville so unique is that organizations know their roles and genuinely work together. Whether it’s the chamber, Visit Bentonville, Downtown Bentonville Inc., the city of Bentonville, Bentonville Schools, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, the Walton Family Foundation or our regional partners across northwest Arkansas, there’s a shared commitment to making this community even better. That collaborative spirit is one of Bentonville’s greatest strengths.”
The Rogers chamber plays an important role in bringing together business, government and community leaders to help shape the future of the city, Chambers said.
“Through government affairs, we advocate for policies that support a strong business climate and keep our members informed on issues that impact them,” she said. “We also invest in community development through leadership programs, workforce initiatives and partnerships that help make Rogers an even better place to live and do business.”
The Bentonville chamber hosts two of the region’s signature business events, the Business Women’s Conference and the Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit, but Gengelbach said its mission extends well beyond hosting events.
“Everything we do is about helping businesses build relationships, develop leaders and create opportunities for growth,” he said, adding that being in Walmart’s backyard enables the city to participate in one of the country’s most dynamic business ecosystems.
Bentonville Square
“Companies have access to global opportunities while also benefiting from an entrepreneurial culture, incredible quality of life and a community that genuinely believes in working together,” he said. “I believe one of Bentonville’s greatest competitive advantages is our culture of collaboration. Across Bentonville and throughout northwest Arkansas, businesses, educators, nonprofits, philanthropies and local governments choose partnership over competition because we know long-term success is a team effort.”
That sort of regional teamwork is not necessarily the norm and has enabled each of the metro’s four anchor cities to grow. Rather than being anchored by one primary city with secondary cities fighting for scraps, the NWA metro more resembles an equal partnership of municipalities.
The key is thoughtful growth, and the chambers that set the table for local businesses are a big part of that.
“We’re incredibly blessed to be part of a community that’s experiencing tremendous growth,” Gengelbach said. “Our responsibility isn’t simply to grow — it’s to grow thoughtfully so Bentonville continues to be one of America’s most special places to live, work, visit and raise a family. That only happens when businesses and community partners work together to preserve what makes this place so special while creating opportunities for future generations.”
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Photo by Tim Hursley)
NWA remains one of the fastest growing U.S. metros and now boasts one of the nation’s fastest-growing economies, the Northwest Arkansas Council states. The biggest challenge these days for local chambers is keeping up with the growth.
Chambers said the biggest opportunity on the horizon for Rogers is simply preparing for the future.
“As northwest Arkansas continues growing toward a region of 1 million people, we’re focused on ensuring Rogers is positioned to lead,” she said. “Our five-year strategic plan is centered on supporting businesses, growing our workforce, investing in leadership, strengthening partnerships and advocating for the infrastructure our community will need. Growth is exciting, but our goal is to make sure it’s intentional, so Rogers continues to be a place where businesses succeed, people want to live and opportunities continue to expand.”
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