BUSINESS MATTERS
Leadership Arkansas – Session Calendar
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BUSINESS MATTERS
2024/2025 Session Calendar
From September 2024 to May 2025, Leadership Arkansas participants will engage in a series of sessions designed to deepen their understanding leadership, economic development, agriculture, education, tourism, government, workforce development, and more.
Each session is tailored to provide hands-on experiences and insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within these regions, culminating in a graduation ceremony at the end of the program.
To qualify for graduation from the program, participants are required to attend at least 80% of the sessions, including the entire orientation and graduation sessions.
September 15 - September 17, 2024
Session I – Orientation
Participants will come together as a class to examine leadership, as well as their individual roles and responsibilities. The class will also receive a background on topics of significant concern in Arkansas as a foreword to issues that will be presented throughout the program. Class members will be asked to step out of their comfort zone and break ice and break with other class members and new friendships are formed.
*Orientation runs from 12 p.m. Sunday through 12 p.m. Tuesday.
October 16 - October 17, 2024
Session II – Military & Economic Development
The class will travel to Fort Chaffee and Ebbing Air Force Base to experience a ‘high level’ view of Arkansas’s storied military installations. The 188th and 189th Wings of the Arkansas National Guard will come together to help Leadership Arkansas experience a 10,000-foot view of Arkansas’s military footprints – past, present and future. Top military personnel will escort the class through this experience and shine a light on the importance of these installations – and where we’d be without them. Plus, class members will get the opportunity to evaluate some of the most significant sources of economic development in this rapidly growing region.
November 20 - November 21, 2024
Session III – Agriculture, Conservation & Outdoor Life
As the state’s No. 1 industry, agriculture is crucial to Arkansas’s economy. Agriculture is our Arkansas’ largest industry with more than 41,900 farms on 13.7 million acres with an annual contribution of more than $24.3 billion to the Natural State. Arkansas agriculture provides over 242,000 jobs which is one out of every seven jobs in the state. In this session, participants will get an inside look at the production of the state’s top export, Arkansas rice, which is valued at nearly $2 billion annually. Two of the largest Arkansas rice production companies are headquartered in Stuttgart, the “duck capitol of the world.” Bring your hot hands and camouflage because you will experience the outdoor life that gave Arkansas the “Natural State” nickname. Hear from those on the front lines for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission who play an important role in oversight of the protection, conservation and preservation of various species of fish and wildlife in Arkansas.
December 16 - December 17, 2024
Session IV – Government, Education & Workforce Development
Little Rock is the home of the State’s Capitol and three branches of its highest governmental bodies.
In Part 1 of the session, the class will assume the roles of legislators and work with sitting elected legislative leaders and various specials interests to move bills through the process from introduction in the committee room to final passage or defeat on a Chamber floor.
In Part 2 of the Session, class members will immerse themselves in the K-12 education system in Arkansas. The deployment of Arkansas’ education system has a storied history and is, to this day, our State’s standard-bearer for local control. Facilitated by administrators and respected leaders from across the gamut of Arkansas’s education system, during this part of the session the class will be immersed in one of our state’s greatest responsibilities and challenges. Hear about successful partnerships between some of Arkansas’ companies, it’s local schools and the Be Pro Be Proud program and realize just how vital workforce education is to keeping Arkansas at the forefront of workforce development.
January 15 - January 16, 2025
Session V – Natural Resources, Defense & Industrial Development
Few people realize that South Arkansas is such a hub for global aerospace, defense and advanced technological and chemical companies with worldwide interests. But as a part of Leadership Arkansas, you will experience them all. With nationally ranked companies a plenty there is no shortage to the eye-opening education you will receive. South Arkansas has seen a rapid expansion of industrial development, advances in weaponry and the distribution of natural resources. The issues surrounding the utilization of these important areas come to life with behind-the-scenes tours of companies that keep our military equipped with the best in tactical equipment and provide innovative ideas and products. Those areas combined with a look into the thriving natural resource production areas, and this session will surely open your mind to the wonders that are created in this part of the state.
February 19 - February 20, 2025
Session VI – Manufacturing & Infrastructure
Did you know that America’s leading steelmaker and recycler was located right here in Arkansas? Leadership Arkansas participants will get a once-in-a-lifetime behind the scenes tour and hear from company leaders on their innovative and teammate-focused culture. Hear about successful partnerships between one of Arkansas’ largest manufacturers and it’s local technical institute and realize just how vital workforce education is to keeping Arkansas at the forefront of workforce development. This session will also take a look at the Infrastructure of our state with a chance to assume the role of the Highway Commissioner as you prioritize funding to repair and replace Arkansas’ Highways.
March 20 - March 21, 2025
Session VII – Tourism, History & Revitalization
Arkansas is a state rich in history with a tourism industry that provides a lot to see and do. Tourism, strengthened by the revitalization of many key areas of our state, contributes quite a lot to our economy. During this session, class members will have a chance to look into an area full of history. This area has been a target for many revitalization projects that have restored structures to their historical beauty, reinforced the draw for tourists and increased the effect of economic development in the region.
April 16 - April 18, 2025
Session VIII – Regional Development
From innovation to healthcare to poultry production, and transportation to retail sales, Northwest Arkansas continues to be one of the fastest growing and most progressive areas of the United States. Class members will examine the impact a relative handful of entrepreneurial pioneers have had not just within our state but nationally. They will also see how those who have followed have pooled the collective resources to continue their legacy.
May 15 - May 16, 2025
Session IX – Leadership, Planning & Graduation
Classmates will pull on their proverbial gowns and parade through the streets. But before they do, this now cohesive unit will examine the miles they’ve traveled and make plans for the future. Joined by eighteen years of alumni, sponsors, families and colleagues, the class will take their places in a long line of distinguished graduates and become a part of this accomplished group. Highlighting the series of events will be some of Arkansas’s most accomplished leaders.