Chamber banquet to feature Steuart Walton
With only a few tickets left, the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for its annual banquet Tuesday at the Benton Event Center.
The doors open at 5 p.m. and the event starts at 6 p.m.
The featured speaker for the event will be Steuart Walton.
"He loves the state and is passionate about it," said Director of Business and Events Amy Mccormick.
Walton is the chair of the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force and played a vital role in revitalizing the economy and green space in Bentonville. He is co-founder of the Runway Group, a holding company that invests in real estate, hospitality and other businesses in Northwest Arkansas, is founder and chairman of
Game Composites LLC, a company that designs and builds small composite aircraft, and serves on the boards of directors for Walmart, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, according to the information the Chamber shared on Walton.
Mccormick said he is a great speaker to bring in because he has expertise on the economic and recovery sides of business.
"He knows what a huge asset
this state has been for business and families," Mccormick said.
The meal for the banquet will be catered by Vibrant Occasions Catering and include citrus chicken, pork adovada, a side salad and desert.
Attendees will be seated six to a table and the tables will be spread out to ensure social distancing. They are limiting the event to 50 tables.
Mccormick said they plan to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Those who attend can choose to wear a mask.
Attire for the evening will be business professional.
Tom Baxley, of Baxley-Penfield-Moudy Realtors will be the emcee. Chamber Chair Rick Bellinger will give a short address before Walton speaks.
The event's sponsors are Jones Heating & Air, First Security
Bank, Everett Buick
GMC, Arvest Bank,
Ashley Home Store, Baxley-penfield-moudy Realtors, CDI Contractors, Mccauley Services, Smith Benton Funeral Home and Sykes.
Mccormick said last year's banquet was one of the last things the Chamber could hold before events were canceled because of the pandemic.
"We thought we could hold the banquet in a safe environment," she said.
She sees this as a great opportunity for business owners to network and hear a message from a different speaker. She thinks it will be a message to benefit people personally and professionally.
Tickets are $75 each. Those wishing to purchase them must do so by today. They can call the Chamber at 501-860-7002 or email Mccormick at amy@bentonchamber.com.