Leadership Arkansas – Session Calendar

Participants will come together as a class to explore the nature of leadership and reflect on their individual roles and responsibilities within their communities and workplaces. They will gain foundational insight into the key opportunities and challenges facing Arkansas, laying the groundwork for deeper discussions in the months ahead. Early in the program, class members will be encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, engage in meaningful interactions, and begin forming lasting connections with one another.

*Orientation runs from 12 p.m. Sunday through 12 p.m. Tuesday. Attendance at the full orientation session is mandatory for participants. 

In this session, Leadership Arkansas Class XX will meet with local and regional leaders to examine the impact of economic development on community vitality and learn how forward-thinking economic development strategies are transforming Arkansas into a better place to live, work, and invest. This session will also take a look at the infrastructure of our state by giving class members a chance to assume the role of the Highway Commissioner. In this exercise, they must prioritize funding to repair and replace Arkansas’ highways, roads, and bridges and learn how infrastructure plays a critical role in Arkansas’ economic future.

As Arkansas’ largest industry, agriculture plays a vital role in the state’s economy, with more than 41,900 farms covering 13.7 million acres and contributing over $24.3 billion annually. The industry supports more than 242,000 jobs—one in every seven jobs across the state. In this session, participants will get a firsthand look at the production of Arkansas’s top export: rice, valued at nearly $2 billion each year. Stuttgart, home to two of the state’s largest rice producers and known as the “Duck Capital of the World,” sets the stage for an immersive experience in both agriculture and outdoor heritage. Attendees will also hear from representatives of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission about their critical role in conservation and wildlife management—highlighting why Arkansas is proudly known as the Natural State.

Little Rock is home to Arkansas’ Capitol and the seat of all three branches of state government. In Part 1 of the session, participants will step into the role of legislators and work alongside elected officials, lobbyists, and policy experts to navigate the legislative process—from committee discussions to final votes on the House or Senate floor.

In Part 2, the class will explore Arkansas’ military footprint, including the economic and strategic impact of installations such as Camp Robinson and Little Rock Air Force Base. Participants will engage with military leaders and state officials on issues including workforce development, national defense, veteran affairs, and the critical role of the military both in Arkansas communities and abroad.

Few realize that South Arkansas is a powerhouse for global aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, and chemical innovation. But Leadership Arkansas Class XX will see it firsthand.

This session offers exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to some of the region’s top-ranked companies, many of which are key suppliers for the U.S. military and international markets. Participants will explore cutting-edge developments in weaponry, logistics, and natural resource distribution. From industrial expansion to breakthrough technologies, this immersive experience will spotlight the incredible innovation and economic strength coming out of South Arkansas.

Northeast Arkansas is a dynamic hub of manufacturing, innovation, and workforce development. During this session, Leadership Arkansas Class XX will visit world-class manufacturing facilities, including a behind-the-scenes look at one of the nation’s top steel producers. Participants will also engage with leaders at Arkansas State University to explore how higher education is driving research, talent development, and economic opportunity in the region. From advanced industry to academic partnerships, this session highlights the evolving forces shaping Arkansas’ industrial future.

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.  The Hot Springs 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.

From poultry production to transportation to retail sales, Northwest Arkansas continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation. In this session, class members will examine the impact a relative handful of entrepreneurial pioneers have had not just within our state but throughout the world. They will also see how those within the Northwest Arkansas have continued to develop the region, making the area a hotbed to growth, culture, and innovation.

In Part2 of this session, Class XX will immerse themselves in the K-12 Education system in Arkansas. Facilitated by administrators and respected leaders from across the gamut of Arkansas’ education system, the class will be immersed in one of our state’s greatest responsibilities and challenges.

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 19 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.

*Attendance at the full graduation session is mandatory for participants.