BUSINESS IS BOOMING

NLR chamber meeting draws hundreds to arena

The North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce celebrated a year of growth and honored a few standout members at its 32nd annual meeting, held Feb. 16 on the floor of Verizon Arena.

During the program, McCain Mall was named the chamber's Business Partner of the Year, and the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum was lauded as Nonprofit of the Year.

Outgoing chamber chairman Toby Burkett highlighted the chamber's accomplishments during his term.

"A couple of things that we are real proud of is that we grew our membership by over 100 members, which is significant in a chamber of commerce our size," Burkett said before the dinner and meeting. Also, "members have really engaged in a way we have not seen before," such as attendance for the annual meeting, which drew some 800 members.

Speakers during the program included chamber president and chief executive officer John Owens, North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith and keynote speaker Bill Dillard III, vice president of Dillard's Inc.

Closing the program was Margaret Ellibee, 2017 board chairman, with a look ahead to the chamber's future.

-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins

High Profile on 02/26/2017

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