ARKANSAS’ BEST DJ SERVICEJOSEPH CLEMENTS

4511 Schaer Street, North Little Rock 72190 • 837-7561 • DJ

ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORSASHLEY MILLS

20790 I-30 N, Benton 72019776-5460 • Sports and Outdoor

Lifestyle Store

AMAZING GRACE CHRISTIAN STOREJAY RAMSEY

1102 W South Street, Ste 11Benton 72015 • 794-6787

Christian Bible, Books, and Gifts

BASH BURGER COMPANYRYAN ASHCRAFT

2122 S Military, Benton 72015501-602-0500 • Burgers/wings

BENTON FOOD AND GASPAUL KAMBOJ

915 Newcomb Dr., Benton 72015501-315-2224 • Convenience Store

BIG RED #128DAVID HENDRIX, JR

2400 Springhill Rd., Bryant 72022501-847-5810 • Convenience Store

BIG RED #130DAVID HENDRIX, JR

1611 N Reynolds Rd., Bryant 72022501-847-9340 • Convenience Store

BIG RED #135DAVID HENDRIX, JR

4720 Hwy 67, Benton 72015501-778-4545 • Convenience Store

Continued, page four ...

Education in Saline County was the theme of our First Thursday Breakfast in August. Superintendents from several Saline County Schools presented information to the group. Presenters included the following:

Bauxite Schools – Matt DonaghyBenton Schools – Jeff CollumBryant Schools – Tom Kimbrell

Glen Rose Schools – Tim HolicerHarmony Grove Schools – Daniel Henley

Sheridan Schools – Jerrod WilliamsOur local superintendents have been meeting for approximately six months discussing the option of all the Saline County schools joining together to be involved in the construction of a Saline County Career and Education Technology Center. There would be one Center and all districts would bus students to that building. If the plan comes to fruition, it will be the first CTE school in Arkansas. The first step in the process would be to bring in a consulting group that would study the county business needs and make recommendations as to what career areas should be included in such a school, where it should be located, and what values would be available to the business community. A presentation was shown of a Career Technical School that opened this year in Tyler, Texas.

ChamberNEWS THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR CHAMBER

607 N. Market Street • Benton 72015 • 501-860-7004

New Members

Business focused. Community minded. bentonchamber.com

September 2015

INSIDE:Chamber News

Chamber EventsPresident's Letter

First Thursday Breakfast - Highlights

October 1 • Benton Event CenterAdult advance tickets: $15 At-the-Door: $20

Children (ages 5-10): $5 Children under 4: Free

Groups: $125 for 10 tickets

Co-Chairmen Paul White, Zeke Jones, Steve Brown and Terry Shuler have announced that the 2015 Savor the Flavor will be held October 1 at the Benton Event Center. For this event, many Saline County restaurants and caterers come together to share their culinary delights with county residents. Restaurants are already being solicited and it looks like there will be food in abundance.Once again, Landers of Saline County will serve as presenting sponsor. Pod sponsorships are Verizon Wireless; Baxley-Penfield-Moudy Realtors; Farm Bureau Insurance; McCauley Services; and Malvern National Bank. Our drink sponsor is Big Red.For those who want to come and taste all the wonderful food and then sit and visit with friends, seating is available. Extra tables will be placed in the side lobby and in the plaza to accommodate attendees.An addition to the event this year will be vendor booths in the pre-function area. Twelve 5x20 booths will be offered for $100 each. No food or drink items can be sold or given away at the booths; however, other items can be sold.To purchase advance tickets (reduced price), contact the Chamber prior to the event. Tickets at the door are $20. Savor the Flavor is a big night for the Chamber and the community, so if you would like to join the committee, come and join in. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 9 at noon. Mark your calendars!

2CHAMBER EVENTS

Sponsor Ads - Live Links

September 9Savor the Flavor Committee

12 p.m., Chamber Board RoomSeptember 10

Finance Committee8 a.m., Benton Event Center

September 10Business Expo Committee /

Ambassadors & Marketing Comm.1:15 p.m., Chamber Board Room

September 11Ribbon Cuttings10 a.m., Rollins

Performance Group10 a.m, Nu-Genesis Tech Solutions

10:30 a.m., iPawn Arkansas11 a.m., The Pink Purse

September 15Civ & Gov Committee

1:15 p.m., Chamber Board RoomSeptember 15

Tailgate at the Plaza5:30-7:30 p.m., Chamber Board

RoomSeptember 18

Ribbon Cuttings9:30 a.m., Bash Burger

10 a.m., Lifeline Chiropractic10:30 a.m., Newmark Grubb

ArkansasSeptember 23

Chamber Board Meeting11:15 a.m., Executive; 11:45 a.m., Full Board; Chamber Board Room

September 25Ribbon Cuttings

9:30 a.m., Hurricane Lake Living Magazine

10 a.m., Superior Senior Care10:30 a.m., GW Lighting & Home

Decor

Savor the Flavor - Save the Date

3 CITY EVENTS

PAT REEVESManager501.315.4466#3 Medical Dr. Suite 302A | Benton, AR 72015pat.reeves@superiorseniorcare.com

OTHER EVENTS

Registration has begun for Saline County Business Expo, to be held October 20 at the Benton Event Center. This is a great opportunity for businesses and organizations to promote their products and services, network with other businesses and gain new customers. We encourage vendors to distribute samples, bring examples of their products and make appointments for consultations. However, no products can be sold.The 2014 event was a huge success with over 800 attendees. Booths are 10 x 10 for inside space. Larger outside space is also available. Please call the chamber if you are interested in an outside area. If you have not sent in your registration, please remember that booths are assigned on first-come, first-serve basis. To secure your booth, both an application and payment must be received by the chamber staff. Booth rentals are the same as last year. There is a $250 rental for Benton Chamber members and $350 for non-Chamber members.Admission to the event is free for attendees. The Expo will be open to the public from 12:00 – 6:00. Great door prizes will be given.

Keeping with the idea of fall football, “Tailgate at the Plaza” will be the theme of the Chamber’s fall Business After Hours. It will take place at the Benton Event Center plaza on September 15 from 5:30 – 7:30.

Landers of Saline County will be the lead sponsor. Drink sponsors are Golden Eagle and Post Family Winery. Food sponsor is Gina’s Catering. Music, sponsored by Riverside Grocery & Catering, will be provided by Alan Hunt.Committee Co-Chairs Steve Brown, Clint Fulks, and Evelyn Reed invite you all out to a relaxing night of food, drink, and lots of networking. Cost per ticket is $10. You can register on line or call the Chamber to ensure your admission.

September 7,21Benton Utilities Commission

6 p.m., Electric Utility Department1827 Dale Street

September 14, 28Benton City Council

6 p.m., Agenda Meeting7 p.m., Full Meeting

Council Chambers, Municipal Complex

September 17A & P Commission

4 p.m., Chamber Board Room

September 8Saline County Fair Parade6 p.m., Downtown Benton

September 10, 11Swing Four Saline

Hurricane Country ClubGolf Flights

Gathering On the Greens

September 14Benton School Board

5:30 p.m., BHS Professional Dev. Ctr.

October 2Putt the Kids First Golf Tournament

12 p.m., Shotgun StartHurricane Country Club

Saline County Business Expo

"Tailgating" After Hours

August 2015 Ribbon Cuttings - Congratulations!

Academy Sports & Outdoors - Benton Amazing Grace Christian Store Budget Blinds - Benton, HS, HS Village

Cafe' 7181 Dream Big Pediatric Therapies Elmore Global Marketing

Gravel Hill Baptist Church Infinity Nails & Spa Mobilized/Verizon Wireless

REMAX, Hot Springs Village Clara Nicolosi Taylor Car Company, Inc. Shelter Insurance

Vapor SpotCrye-Leike Realtors Bob Miller, Betsy Arey,

Angela Best

4

Spread the news ... Refer a business to the

Chamber today!

5

Come one, come all! Support your team in a little friendly competition during the annual Benton-Bryant Salt Bowl! This famous feud takes place this Friday, September 4 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Registration continues for businesses, churches, organizations, etc. to reserve booth space for the big game’s tail gate party.The Tail Gate Party is from 5–7 p.m. Registration is nearly at an end. Call the Benton Chamber is you want a booth. The fee is as follows: first time vendor, $300; returning vendor, $250; and organizations and churches, $100. If you would like to park a vehicle next to your space, there is an additional $100 fee.Please be aware that there is a Blood Drive associated with the event later in September. There will be one at Benton High School on September 29 and one at Bryant High School on September 30.

SALT BOWL THIS WEEKEND!

bentoneventcenter.com

September 9Outlets of Little Rock Job Fair

September 11-13Memphis Flea Market

SEPTEMBER Public Events776-8068

EVENT CENTER FACTS: At a recent A & P meeting, Director Nikki Chumley’s report included some interesting facts about rentals at the Event Center for the next 56 weeks. These include:• 28 events booked by group/individuals outside of Benton• 55 rentals for multiple days• 136 different renters• 55 repeating events • Only three open weekends in the next 56 weeksIt’s not too early to start booking your corporate holiday party! All public events are posted on our website.

Mark your calendars for premium holiday shopping! The annual glitz & garland is coming to the Benton Event Center this November 12-14, 2015. Vendors will feature a variety of sought-after items such as clothes and jewelry, holiday décor, household wares, tasty food, and much more.

The show will be bigger and better this year. Many vendors are returning and several new ones are going to be with us. Also, there will be an exclusive Ladies’ Night Out on Thursday evening. Tickets to this part of the show will be limited to 300. Make plans now to join with some of your friends and be the first shoppers at the 2015 glitz & garland as well as have some great food prepared by Gina’s Catering. Tickets to Ladies Night Out will be pre-sold at a later date.

glitz Coming Soon!

graphic design for print, web & signs • business copywritingEnter to Win!

glitz & garland is coming soon! You could be our

big winner!

Call 860-7004 for raffle tickets! Gift furnished by Everett Buick GMC.

BIG RED #142DAVID HENDRIX, JR

820 Edison Avenue, Benton 72015501-776-8455 • Convenience Store

BIG RED #143DAVID HENDRIX, JR

2501 N Lake, Benton 72019501-602-1033 • Convenience Store

CITY TERMITE & PEST CONTROLAPRIL TURPIN

1525 W Moline Street, Malvern 72104501-776-9966 • Pest Control

FALK PLUMBINGTED HOFMETSTER

2400 Military Rd, Benton 72015501-778-6750 • Plumbing Supply

GLEN ROSE SCHOOL DISTRICTTIM HOLICER, SUPERINTENDENT14334 Hwy 67, Malvern 72104

501-332-3694 • Education

HOT SPRINGS CLEANING SYSTEMSGARY OR JETTIE VALLE

2230 Malvern Ave, Ste AHot Springs, AR 71901

501-623-9724Rainbow Vacuum Sales & Service

INFINITY NAILS & SPA / JANE VAN20770 I-30, Ste 120, Benton 72019

501-794-6760 • Nails and Spa

LIFELINE CHIROPRACTICMELANIE GRIFFIN

5920 Hwy 5N, Ste 7, Bryant 72022501-847-7026 • Chiropractic Care

BOB MILLER, AGENT, CRYE-LEIKE 1900 Military Rd, Benton 72015

501-860-1388 • Real Estate

SOUTHERN ROOTS AREMBELLISHMENTS EMBROIDERY

M’LEAH DONALDSON100 W Ashley, Benton 72015

501-778-3339 • Boutique

THE PINK PURSEJENNIFER GOLDMAN

102 N East, Benton 72015501-778-7800 • Boutique

ZAXBY’S / KEVIN JOHNSON20680 Interstate 30N, Benton 72019

501-794-2220 • Restaurant

School is in full swing, which means the Salt Bowl is just around the corner!

We hope you can attend this fun-filled event on September 4 at War Memorial Stadium. Both Benton and Bryant athletic programs benefit from the game, so we want a record-breaking attendance to watch these teams battle out their “unfinished business.” Tickets are on sale at all Saline County Big Red locations. Your Benton Area Chamber of Commerce is managing booth rentals for this year’s tailgate party. Contact the Chamber staff to reserve your booth and enjoy this great opportunity to promote your business to the thousands in attendance.The “Tailgate at the Plaza” will be held on September 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Benton Event Center Plaza. This is our Business After Hours fall event and is always well attended. Gina’s Catering will provide the food, and Alan Hunt will supply some great music. Please join us for a great night of networking with your fellow Chamber members. Please take the time to visit the Chamber website at www.bentonchamber.com. Our upcoming events are scrolling on the home page. Thanks to the hard work of JJ Bruton, we have gained 20 new members in the past month, with 10 of those members scheduling a ribbon cutting in September. Please look at the “coming events” so you can join us at the ribbon cuttings as we welcome your fellow Chamber members.Finally, remember that your board of directors is selling raffle tickets for the 2015 GMC Sierra truck that will be presented to one lucky winner during this year’s Glitz and Garland. Tickets are $100 each and, once again, there will only be 500 tickets sold. Don’t miss the opportunity to possibly be a new truck owner! Speaking of Glitz and Garland, we are excited to add a Thursday night “Ladies Night” to this year’s event. Stay tuned for more details on how to purchase tickets to this exclusive event.I hope you have had a wonderful August and are enjoying the hint of fall that is in the air. I hope to see you this month at the Salt Bowl and the Tailgate at the Plaza.

Lori TerrellGroup Human Resource Manager, CoorsTek

New Members6

The annual Saline County Fair comes to town with the theme of “Red, White and Blue—This Fair’s For You.” The parade that will be held on Tuesday, September 8 at 6 p.m. in Downtown Benton.Fair parade entry forms may be picked up at the Chamber.Armband nights at the fair will be September 8,

September 10, and in the afternoon of September 12.

SALINE COUNTY FAIR PARADE"Red, White & Blue"