ATA hosts annual trucking conference this week in Rogers

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Nearly 300 trucking industry leaders are expected to attend the annual Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) Conference & Vendor Showcase this week in Rogers.

The ATA will host the conference from Wednesday (May 8) to Friday (May 10). The conference events will largely take place at Rogers Convention Center and include speakers who will discuss economics, politics, autonomous vehicles and litigation.

Andrew Boyle, chairman of the American Trucking Associations and co-president of Boyle Transportation, will be the keynote speaker and provide the state of the industry address at 1:30 p.m. Thursday (May 9). Boyle will discuss the most pressing industry challenges, such as electric vehicle mandates and threats to the independent contractor model.

ATA hosts annual trucking conference this week in Rogers

$50M funding boost will help NY retail tech firm expand Northwest Arkansas operations

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Crisp, a New York-based retail technology company, announced a $50 million funding round Thursday (Feb. 22) that will have ripple effects in Northwest Arkansas.

The new funding will support the company’s aggressive growth efforts — building on its recent acquisition of Atlas Technology Group in Rogers — product development, expansion into new markets and additional acquisitions.

“Our strong growth is a testament to the measurable and significant value Crisp provides. We solve real problems and help CPG brands strengthen sales, marketing and their relationships with retailers,” founder and CEO Are Traasdahl said. “Accessing all data within a single platform is empowering brands to implement a collaborative commerce approach, where advanced analysis is improving forecasting, pricing strategies, inventory management, and expansion plans.”
$50M funding boost will help NY retail tech firm expand Northwest Arkansas operations

Are Traasdahl, founder and CEO of Crisp

Walmart AMP transitioning to digital tickets

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Digital tickets will be the default method of delivery for the 2023 season at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion (AMP) in Rogers. The change was announced Monday (March 20) in a news release.

Digital tickets are secure, paperless tickets accessible on a smartphone. According to the release, patrons will access their tickets by logging in to a personalized, online ticket wallet with the same username or email and password they use to purchase tickets.

Digital tickets will be delivered to a ticket wallet immediately upon purchase and can be securely shared. They use a rotating QR code so patrons know they have a valid ticket, and it reduces the ability to counterfeit tickets. The rotating QR code for each ticket will be delivered within 24 hours of the performance start time or at a time specified by the tour.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/03/walmart-amp-transitioning-to-digital-tickets/

Jewel performs at the Walmart AMP in Rogers in 2022. The venue's ticket sales were up 71% from last year.

Despite location change, Bikes, Blues & BBQ still business as usual for many

by John Post (jtpost87@gmail.com)

In January, the Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally announced that it would be relocating to Rogers after more than two decades housed in Fayetteville. The rally, scheduled for Oct. 5-8, relocated after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and after logistical issues posed problems for hosting this year in Fayetteville.

But, while it may not be centrally located in the city that had hosted it for more than two decades, it will still be business as usual for many in the region when the motorcycles roll into Northwest Arkansas this fall.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/03/despite-location-change-bikes-blues-bbq-still-business-as-usual-for-many/

In January, organizers of the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally announced a relocation this year from Fayetteville to Rogers.

UAMS Approved for $85M NWA Building; Site to be Determined

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

In March, the University of Arkansas System board of trustees approved an $85 million project in Northwest Arkansas proposed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

A 185,000-square-foot orthopedic and sports medicine facility will be built at a location to be determined. Marlon Blackwell Architects and DSC Architects will lead the building’s design. Nabholz Construction will be the general contractor. UAMS’ goal is to open the facility by 2023.

Chancellor Cam Patterson said UAMS plans to issue bonds to cover the cost, a change in course from a funding partnership proposed this past fall. In October, the board authorized UAMS to negotiate the terms of a letter of intent to pursue a new building lease agreement with commercial real estate development firm Cushman & Wakefield/Sage Partners in Rogers.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/uams-approved-for-85m-nwa-building-site-to-be-determined/

UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson. (Photo by Evan Lewis/UAMS).