Conway has a coalition of community and economic development organizations working together daily on its behalf. While each organization has a slightly different focus, they all work in partnership to thoughtfully improve the lives of Conway area residents.
The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Conway Development Corporation, Conway Downtown Partnership and Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau work together on one mission: making Conway, Arkansas, the best it can be.
Partnership, teamwork, community, and ambition — they’re what makes Conway great. And it all starts at 900 Oak Street.
Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
Founded: 1891
What it is: A nonprofit organization made up of approximately 1,400 area businesses working to grow the local economy. The chamber is governed by a 33-member board of directors.
What it does:
• Plan and organize networking events
• Offer advertising and sponsorship opportunities
• Advocate job-creating infrastructure and policies
• Provide business consulting, lead generation and referrals
You may have seen: The chamber organizes Toad Suck Daze and also hosts large events like Business Expo and Taste of Conway. Its annual meetings are legendary. It operates a publications company.
What’s big in 2018? Celebrating progress on the community’s Conway2025 plan and Conway 125 quality of place projects.
Conway Development Corporation (CDC)
Founded: 1959
What it is: A nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow the area economy, mainly through job creation. The CDC is governed by a 14-member board of directors.
What it does:
• Recruit new businesses to Conway
• Help existing businesses expand
• Pursue state economic development incentives on behalf of local companies
• Develop and market job-creating real estate
You may have seen: It owns and developed the Meadows Technology Park, home to DXC Technology (formerly HP/HPE) and the new Acadia behavioral health facility.
What’s big in 2018? A full pipeline of traditional economic development projects. Redevelopment of the city’s former airport (Central Landing).
Conway Downtown Partnership
Founded: 2001
What it is: A nonprofit organization focused on the redevelopment and continued growth of downtown Conway. It is governed by a 14-member board of directors.
What it does:
• Market downtown Conway as a destination for investment and jobs
• Promote downtown events
• Advocate for and execute public space improvements like landscaping, “streetscaping,” and more
You may have seen: It has partnered with the city to develop downtown Conway’s streetscape and undertake the renovation and redevelopment of multiple historic buildings.
What’s big in 2018? Three new restaurants (Kathmandu Momo, Poke’ Hula, and Las Delicias Ice Cream) announced downtown locations in April. Twenty-one new loft apartments open later this summer.
Conway Area Leadership Institute
Founded: 1988
What it is: A nonprofit organization that prepares emerging leaders to serve the Conway area community. Formerly the Faulkner County Leadership Institute, CALI became part of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce in 2016 and is governed by the chamber’s board of directors.
What it does:
• Plan and execute an eight-month curriculum inspired by the Conway2025 strategic plan
• Connect graduates of the program through alumni networking events
You may have seen: Hundreds of professionals have graduated from the Faulkner County Leadership Institute since its inception. The inaugural CALI class graduated from the program in November 2017.
What’s big in 2018? Corralling the newest (and largest) leadership class. Transitioning the youth leadership program to UCA.
Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau
(Advertising and Promotion Commission)
Founded: 2000
What it is: Created by the city council to facilitate tourism and the promotion of the City of Conway, the Advertising and Promotion commission collects taxes on hotel/motel accommodations and levies taxes on all prepared food and beverages. The board consists of seven members, each of whom serves a four-year term. The A&P Commission does business under the name “Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau.”
What it does:
• Advertise and promote events taking place in the city to regional audiences
• Recruit sporting events, conferences and other events from around the country to Conway
• Administer annual grants to local tourism-related events
You may have seen: It has recruited and sponsored many of the youth sporting events held in Conway, including the high school all-star games.
What’s big in 2018? Welcoming statewide tennis tournaments to the recently opened Conway Tennis Center. Recruiting conferences to the new meeting space at the Conway Expo Center.
See more about Conway’s economic growth at Outlook Conway.
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