Spotlight Series - Tourism as Economic and Community Development

In-Person Event | $15 Registration Fee

This is the first 2022 program in the quarterly Spotlight Series designed to bring the right people together at the right time to spark innovation, inspire ideas and align our community around common goals. Each quarter features a different theme to spotlight progress and illuminate issues that are opportunities for growing business, activating high-impact leaders and building a strong and diverse place to visit, live, invest, work and play. 

The February 25 Spotlight Series features a panel discussion on the economic impact of large events in Rogers and Northwest Arkansas, and how special events, attractions and tourism contribute and shape our community.

The Chamber's Visit Rogers division’s tourism efforts helped 2021 room tax revenue rebound to just below $1 million (an increase of 30% over 2020), evidence of a resurgence in leisure, group, and corporate travel to Rogers. Visitation research by Longwoods International found Rogers welcomed 3.8 million visitors in 2019 that spent $242 million. $151 million in spending was attributable to overnight visitors and $91 million to daytrippers. Tourism spending contributes to state and local taxes, providing jobs and benefits to the community that contribute to our exceptional quality of life.

At year-end, Rogers had collected $23.7 million in taxes, $3.2 million above the record set in 2020. A significant portion of those tax dollars are coming from visitors to the community. All of this works hand-in-hand to help make our region a robust destination.

About the Speakers:

Tommy Sisemore | Bikes, Blues & BBQ: Tommy Sisemore is a native of Westville, Oklahoma and graduate of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He has been Executive Director of Bikes, Blues, and BBQ since 2015 and prior to that he served as a security and production consultant. Tommy is also the Director of Safety and Security for the Walmart AMP and Walton Arts Center, where he has been employed since 2008. Prior to entering the entertainment industry Tommy was a full-time law enforcement officer for more than 16 years. He and his wife Jennifer have been married for 16 years and have two children, Mattie Jane (15) and Dak (6). Tommy and Jennifer own a small ranch where they raise angus cattle and quarter horses.

Gary Vernon | Program Officer, Walton Personal Philanthropy Group: Gary is a Senior Program Officer for the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group and is considered one of the leading experts in developing mountain bike trail systems, overseeing design and construction of over 600 miles of world class mountain bike trails and growing. His work includes the Oz Trails region of Northwest Arkansas as well as the Arkansas State Parks Monument Trail projects. In 2019 he was the recipient of the American Trails Chairman award for advancing trail design and changing the landscape for trail systems. Born in Joplin, Missouri, he started with Walmart in 1984 in the local store building bicycles for the Christmas season. He stayed with Walmart working his way through college, and in 1993 he went into store management after graduation. He moved to Bella Vista in 2003 as part of his 30-year career taking on a role in the Walmart Corporate Office. He was the President of the volunteer group Friends of Arkansas Single Track (FAST) in Northwest Arkansas for seven years maintaining mountain bike trails around the region. A lifelong cycling enthusiast, Gary has been married to Aimee for 24 years and has two children: Grayson (15) and Abby (20). His hobbies include mountain biking, motocross, and motorcycle trials.

Rachel Reece | Outlyr/Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G: Rachel Reece is Senior Director for Outlyr, a global event management and sponsorship consulting and activation agency headquartered in Greenwich, CT, and the Tournament Director for the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, the LPGA Tour event held annually in Rogers. Rachel has worked with the tournament since 2015 and is a proud graduate of the University of Arkansas.

Parking Instructions - When you arrive at the building, pull into the parking garage between Ruth's Chris and 1st National Bank, and follow it up to the top floor. You can enter the building through the rooftop of the parking garage.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds are not accepted within 48 hours of event.

To safeguard against community spread, all Chamber events currently scheduled are subject to being postponed and/or cancelled with new dates and times to be announced later. #KeepRogersSafe

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