New President Introduced

Nearly 550 Attend Chamber Banquet

Dana Davis, second from left, incoming chamber president chats Thursday with Tom Ginn, left and Bootsie Ackerman at the annual Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce dinner. Ginn is with the chamber and Ackerman works for 3rd District Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers.
Dana Davis, second from left, incoming chamber president chats Thursday with Tom Ginn, left and Bootsie Ackerman at the annual Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce dinner. Ginn is with the chamber and Ackerman works for 3rd District Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers.

— Dana Davis used the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting Thursday as an early chance to meet the community.

Davis was recently named the chamber’s president and chief executive officer and will start work March 4.

“The first thing I have to do is get out in the community and learn what the community is about,” he said.

His next step will be to look at the chamber’s programs and talk to members about where the organization is headed.

“You don’t want to become static. You always want to be moving forward,” he said.

At A Glance

Award Winners

• Rabbit Dickerson Award: Mary Mae Jones

• R.E. (Ed) Buck Award: Hight Jackson Architects

• Ambassador of the Year: Abby Hobbs

• MainStreet Award: Telecomp

• WalStreet Award: NCR

• Spirit Award: PepsiCo

• Teachers of the Year: Wendy Hannah and Cheri Keyes

Source: Staff Report

Nearly 550 people attended the meeting held at the John Q Hammons Center in Rogers.

Davis is now president of the Southlake, Texas, Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Senn, chairman of the chamber’s Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce’s board said Davis is an economic development expert with 10 years’ experience as president.

The chamber kicked off the Total Resource Campaign, its annual revenue campaign, Feb. 1 with a goal of $350,000, Senn said. The campaign has brought in $50,000 in the first two weeks.

More than half of the chamber’s annual budget is paid for by the campaign.

Senn also talked about the importance of the organization’s MainStreet and WalStreet programs.

MainStreet membership includes small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, industry, non-supplier businesses and individuals.

WalStreet consists of Walmart and Sam’s Club suppliers and third-party providers.

“Bentonville has two identities, and one is not more important than the other,” Seen said

Scott Street, Mercy of Northwest Arkansas president and CEO, was keynote speaker and also talked about the importance of maintaining a balance.

He showed a slide of an airplane with “Business” printed over one wing and “Ministry” on the other.

“The challenge is finding the perfect balance,” he said.

Mercy rolled out a campaign last year that lets people share their blessings with the world. The campaign started as an internal project but eventually rolled out into the community, he said.

“It’s important to take time and pause,” Street said. “If I could change one thing about myself it would be to pause and be more grateful.”

He invited everyone to go to ourblessingscount.com to post a blessing.

The chamber paused during the meeting to honor community members and businesses.

Mary Mae Jones received the Rabbit Dickerson Award presented to someone has made a special contribution to the community and has lived in Bentonville or Bella Vista for at least 20 years.

She spent 40 years teaching in the Bentonville School District, retiring in 2005 at age 81.

She continues to be involved with the district, and has attended more than 600 board meetings.

The district named a school after her in 2004.

After going on stage to receive her award she blew a kiss to a standing ovation.

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