Collaboration is Key

The Rogers Lowell Chamber (RLC) facilitated collaboration between the BB&BBQ team and DTR merchants during a monthly Downtown Rogers Merchant Meet-Up. This gathering allowed business owners to share ideas, voice concerns, and brainstorm with Rally Week organizers, RLC, and Destination Rogers. By working together, they found innovative ways to support local businesses and maximize business opportunities during Rally Week.

Promotional ideas that came from the Meet-Up included:

• Sidewalk signs to direct people to DTR businesses
• An Interactive Google Map of Downtown businesses of interest to Rally goers
  • promoted with a QR Code in the BB & BBQ Rally Guide, on posters, sidewalk signs, and on social media
  • generated more than 25,000 views between August 1, 2024 and September 23, 2024. 
• Opportunities for DTR businesses to license and produce select items using the official logo
• Selling unique Rally Week souvenir items
• Instruction regarding tagging @GoDowntownRogers and @bikesbluesbbq to request social media shares 
• Offering convenient grab and go food for diners and shipping for shoppers
• Collaborations with other businesses to maximize opportunities
• Creating individual social media events and posts or news releases to raise visibility

Boosting the Local Economy

Large-scale events such as Bikes, Blues & BBQ significantly impact the local economy. In 2023, BB&BBQ contributed more than $15 million in direct spending to our local economy. This also provides a boost in traffic to locally owned businesses, including restaurants, bars, retail shops, and service providers like tattoo salons and cigar lounges. These events create valuable exposure for small businesses and drive up revenue as thousands of attendees explore what Downtown Rogers has to offer. The support from organizations like the Rogers-Lowell Chamber (RLC) helps local establishments prepare and take full advantage of increased foot traffic, ensuring businesses are equipped to maximize this unique opportunity.

Post-Tornado Recovery

This year, the economic impact is even more meaningful due to the recovery efforts following the May 2024 tornadoes that hit Downtown Rogers and surrounding areas. Rally Week presents a chance for businesses to rebound by drawing in extra customers during a crucial time. RLC’s ongoing support for local hospitality and retail businesses ensures they have the visibility and resources to thrive, helping to stabilize and grow the local economy as the community rebuilds.

Together, Rally Week and events like Bikes, Blues & BBQ play a crucial role in sustaining local businesses, showcasing the resilience of Downtown Rogers, and fostering a sense of community and growth.

Highlighting Downtown Rogers Businesses

Here are some of the Downtown Rogers businesses that embraced Bikes, Blues & BBQ by showcasing their creativity and efforts to enhance the experience for visitors and locals alike:

• Arkansas Arts Academy
  • The Rockhoppers performed at the Flashback Pizza & Milkshakes
    
    

• Blu DTR
  • Hosted the Stop, Drop & Roll, a spicy sushi roll eating challenge

• Flashback Pizza & Milkshakes

  • Outdoor Beer Garden and Vendors
  • Partnered with Mutiny Wrestling Federation to offer pro wrestling show

• House 1830

  • Hosted Lost Ozark Dawn Community Heritage's outdoor pop-up event, where attendees had the opportunity to personalize biker gear by sewing their patches.

• Lasang Pinoy

  • Hosted live music

• Natural State Beverage Company

  • Provided free motorcycle parking

• Olivia Frank & Company
  
  
  • Designed Rally Week T's for the biker babes

• Rotary Club of Downtown Rogers

  • Expanded the "Frisco Inferno" to two tasting events

• Rogers Mercantile

  • Collaborated with BB&BBQ to print logos on drink glasses, stickers, & Koozies
  • Created their own designs for stickers, t-shirts, and sweatshirts

• The Birds Nest by Kollecta Creations

  • Outdoor merch tent
  • Collaboration with a local candy maker to sell products

• Tusk & Trotter

  • Front and center to the Rally Week vendors and patrons
  • Hosted an outdoor pop-up bar and menu items from "Brothers Meet House," their newest restaurant concept.

• TxAR House

  • Partnered with Black Crown Social to sell cigars at a pop-up tent
  • Set up an outdoor pop-up bar with drinks to go in the Entertainment District

• School for Advanced Studies

  • Cheerleaders hosted a fundraiser for uniforms by selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts