It was an annual celebration on April 8 like nothing the Chamber had ever done before.  After an unprecedented and challenging 2020, the Chamber produced a unique and entertaining 37-minute online show celebrating business and community excellence.  It was an inspiring show whose message was one of resilience, perseverance, and hope that the best is yet to come for the Rogers-Lowell Area.

The Dreamers of What Could Be Done
The show started with telling the Chamber’s story from its beginning in 1922.  A proud history of leadership and action and being its members’ seat at the regional table. For 99 years, the Chamber has cultivated and convened business and community leaders from all backgrounds. Leaders who could handle change, evolve continuously, and empower those around them to become great and do great things. Generation after generation, these servant leaders made the Rogers-Lowell Area what it is today. They were the dreamers of what could be done, and they created a place Where Possible Lives.  

Raymond Burns, President/CEO of the Chamber, said, “As I look back at our Chamber’s proud history, it’s hard to imagine what our community would be like if our business leaders had not stepped up to lead.”  He added, “Without their leadership and commitment, many of the things we take for granted today most likely wouldn’t be here,” before sharing some of his favorite memories and examples from over the years of business leaders in action, working with the Chamber to build a better community.

2020 – A Year of Perseverance
Angie Tucker-Ridley, Chairman of the Board for the Chamber, then took some time to reflect on the past year. She talked about how the Chamber, despite the pandemic, pushed forward with its mission-work and shared highlights of the Chamber’s achievements during a very challenging year.

“I can sum up the last year in a word – perseverance – not only for the Chamber, and my business, but our friends and families as well,” she said. "Our Chamber’s core values were put to the test and we persevered because we brought them to life – we lived them, and we became stronger and more resilient than ever before. Through it all we survived the year with no layoffs, mitigated our losses and never quit.”

The Chamber’s Story – Who We Are
The next segment of the show featured a video package telling the story about chambers of commerce, where they have come from and what they are today.  The first known use of the term “Chamber of Commerce” occurred in France in the late 17^th Century, and the oldest chamber of commerce in America is that of the state of New York, organized in 1768.  By 1870, the number of local chambers of commerce had increased to 40. Today, there are over 7,000 chambers in the United States. Out of those, only 190 are accredited by the U.S. Chamber and only 125 are rated at 5-Star – the best of the best.

The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce is one of those 5-Star chambers, a prestigious honor and recognition of the Chamber for its outstanding contributions toward making positive change in the community. Being a 5-Star Chamber is also acknowledgment from industry peers for the Chamber’s expertise, strong leadership and results fostering a pro-business environment.

The video recognized that many do not know that the Chamber is a non-profit business and community development organization.  While it works in close partnership with city governments, it is a private entity and not a government agency – it is The Voice of Business and The Keeper of the Community Vision.

Business & Community Awards of Excellence
The next segment of the show celebrated the winners of the Chamber’s prestigious community awards.  Winners were recognized for their excellence in business and community during 2020.

Small Business of the Year
The four winners of the 2020 Small Business of the Quarter were automatically nominated for this award and included:  Martinez Law Firm; Flip Side Ninja Park; My Other Mother Child Care Center and Preschool; and Red Barn Donuts. The winner is My Other Mother Child Care Center and Preschool.  Founded in 1992, it has a dedicated group of families including many second-generation clients. One of their biggest successes in 2020 was being able to keep their doors open and have no service interruptions.  This was due to a large percentage of front-line workers entrusting them with the safety of their children.

The Rogers-Lowell Spirit Award
Each year, the Chamber recognizes a Rogers-Lowell Area organization, business, or other group for its significant contribution to the betterment of our community with the Rogers-Lowell Spirit Award. This is an award for those who have given above and beyond to the community. This year's Spirit Award is for all the Rogers-Lowell Area healthcare workers - from nurses, technicians, senior caretakers, aids, physicians, EMTs, and first responders, to all of those who support them.

"Thank you for recognizing our community's health care workers and showing your appreciation and gratitude for their unwavering dedication in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year," said Eric Pianalto, President of Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas.  Denten Park, CEO of Northwest Health, said, "This Spirit Award is for all of our health care workers across the region, who are passionately giving their hearts to caring for our community. We know who you are, and we appreciate you very much."  Pianalto and Park accepted the award on behalf of the entire health care community.

The Dick Trammel Good Neighbor Award (Rogers) and Elbert S. Graham / Elza Tucker Award (Lowell)
This year, after an unprecedented year, the Chamber did not recognize an individual for both awards, but rather, awarded them to all the Rogers-Lowell Area teachers, volunteers, and support staff in our school district.

The Dick Trammel Good Neighbor Award - the Rogers community's highest honor - was first awarded in 1974. The award is presented each year to individuals who have contributed to the betterment of Rogers and the region.

The highest award for outstanding service to the community of Lowell is the Elbert S. Graham / Elza Tucker Award, named in their honor. It was also first awarded in 1974 and recognizes individuals for significant contribution to the betterment of the Lowell community.

Dr. Marlin Berry, Superintendent of the Rogers School District, said, "On behalf of our Rogers and Lowell educators, which includes not only teachers, but also administrators, support staff and volunteers, I am honored to accept these prestigious awards from the Rogers and Lowell communities. They have been heroes for our communities."

Building a Welcoming Community – “Vision 100” Guides the Future
The next segment of the show told the story of the Rogers-Lowell Area’s origin and history. It all began in the 1800’s when settlers started to arrive and when the railroad came through in the 1880’s it started to thrive.

Rogers was founded as a stop on the St. Louis and San Francisco (“Frisco”) and developed as a shipping point for apples and a trade center for the surrounding area. It was named after Captain C.W. Rogers, General Manager for the Frisco Railroad.

Lowell was originally named Bloomington and located on Old Wire Road where the Butterfield Stagecoach stopped. It was known as “Mudtown” by early travelers due to their wagons getting stuck in the mud after rains. In 1881, after a cyclone destroyed much of the town, Bloomington moved a short distance west to be along the new railroad and changed its name to Lowell.

Fast forward to today, and one won’t find a friendlier and safe place to live, work, and play than the Rogers-Lowell Area.  That’s why locals call living here “The Good Life”.

Where Does the Community Go from Here? 
By proactively collaborating with city and regional leaders in 2018, the Chamber led the creation of the Vision 100 Community Action Plan. This shared community-wide vision is what the Rogers-Lowell Area envisions for itself in anticipation of reaching a population of 100,000 before 2035. Vision 100 is a guide to quality growth, enhanced quality of life, and ensures readiness for the future. 

It focuses the Chamber’s mission-work in five key focus areas: Community Development; Advocacy & Government Affairs; Small Business & Entrepreneurial Development; Economic Development; and Destination Marketing & Management.

Premiere of “The Song Unsung” – Written for the Rogers-Lowell Area
Up next in the Show was Arkansas’ own Barrett Baber performing a song written for the community by songwriter Kenny Lamb. It was written to inspire the best in all of us.

“The Song Unsung is ultimately a song about hope. Hope for a shining light at the end of the winding road, of something more than where we have come from. It’s about community, a brighter world where we all share the wine. About creativity and dreamers living up to our possibilities and potential. And, it’s got soul, and heart and love. So, for me, it’s about the Rogers-Lowell Area’s future where the best is yet to come. If we don’t leave our song unsung.”  ~ Barrett Baber

Closing Message from the Chamber’s Centennial Chairman
The show’s closing featured Erin Kiefer, President and CEO of Assembled Products, and the Chamber’s Centennial Chairman of the Board in 2022.

She thanked Barrett Baber and Kenny Lamb for their “beautiful song of unity and hope and inspiring us all to be creative and dream big.”  She said, “as a community, working together, we shine the light on unlimited possibilities, in Rogers and Lowell, your song will not be unsung.”

She concluded the show, “Today, you saw our proud past and when it comes to the future, we believe the best is yet to come. And next year, we celebrate a milestone – out 100^th anniversary as a chamber. I’m so honored and excited to lead the chamber into the next 100 years. As we all get back to work and open our businesses safely, remember, your chamber means business and we’re here to help yours.”

Watch the Show