Business news in brief

Boomers connected

The Springdale Chamber of Commerce is launching a two-day Prime of Your Life Expo as a regional event expected to draw more than 3,000 attendees. The expo Sept. 5-6 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center is designed to bring “baby boomers and beyond” together with companies that offer products and services they desire. Platinum sponsors are Northwest Medical Center-Springdale and The Schmieding Foundation.

Chamber staff members say there are more than 79,000 adults ages 55-75 living in Northwest Arkansas, which is the fastest growing population demographic in the region.

It is also the region’s most affluent age group.

Exhibitors can contact the Springdale Chamber at (479) 872-2222 or springdale.com/the-chamber/events/prime-ofyour-life-expo. Booth lease rates start at $450 and include tickets to the Prime Bash Networking Reception.

Dogs get stem-cell treatment

Hancock Veterinary Services will perform a triple patient in-clinic stem-cell procedure this week. It is the only clinic in Arkansas certified by MediVet America to perform the adipose-derived stem-cell procedure. The treatment helps animals suffering from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, ligament and cartilage injuries and similar ailments.

Hancock’s surgery will be performed on Surge, a 2-year-old border collie who suffers chronic pain from abnormality in development of the ankle bones; Buddy, an abused and abandoned 13-year-old German shepherd with arthritis in his knees and hips; and Abby a 9-year-old border collie who also has arthritis in the knees and hips.

Health professions building honored

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas selected the Center for Health Professions project at NorthWest Arkansas Community College as the recipient of the 2013 Excellence in Construction Award. The project earned first place in the organization’s category of institutional construction projects exceeding $5 million.

Nabholz Construction served as construction manager for the project and the project architect was Crafton Tull.

The 81,000-square foot facility doubled the space available as instructional space for the health professions division, including simulation labs, classrooms and student study and lounge area.

The center is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council with the certification goal of LEED Silver and is expected to become the first LEED certified building on the Bentonville campus using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design criteria.

Business analytics certification started

A new certification program will be started online this fall by the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. The program is intended for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree and seek additional skills in business analytics. Certification may be completed in nine to 12 months of online instruction in interpreting data needed in business decisions.

“Right now, one of the biggest things going on in our world is this big data explosion,” said Eli Jones, dean of the Walton College. “Getting the tools - the knowledge - of how to find patterns in big data, that is going to accelerate one’s career. There are people who are looking for people who can make decisions based on big data.

There are huge opportunities in this area, and the Walton College is taking a leadership role in addressing that key need.”

The business analytics certificate program focuses on learning concepts and techniques in data management, analytics and data mining. Students work with large-scale, real-world data sets from active companies, including Sam’s Club, Tyson Foods Inc., Dillard’s Inc. and Acxiom Corp.

Gary Cooper, senior vice president and chief information officer for Tyson Foods in Springdale, said in a news release from the university that companies such as his are looking for employees who have the necessary business foundation and an ability to analyze data when discussing a company’s return on investment. People who earn this additional certification will become more valuable in the work force, he said.

The application deadline for the graduate certificate in business analytics program is July 1, but late applications may be considered on a space-available basis. Those interested may e-mail [email protected] to schedule a call with an admissions advisor. A video about the program may be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=-I79KuniMQ&feature=youtu.be.

Briefs are for businesses in Northwest Arkansas that are new, have moved or closed, opened a new branch, changed owners or have been honored by an independent organization. E-mail items to [email protected]. Information will be published as space allows

Business, Pages 60 on 06/23/2013

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