Conway Business Expo

I had fun at the Conway Business Expo.  I met some new friends too.  Below are a few of the pictures I took.

The Ladies of the Conway Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Ladies

Awesome Chamber Ladies!


Kari Huskey from Revel@Conway with Jeff Matthews from B98.5

Kari Huskey and Jeff Matthews

Kari Huskey and Jeff Matthews


Trendee Galz

Monica Reap from Trendee Galz visits with a customer

Monica Reap from Trendee Galz visits with a customer


Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

Friends from Wintrhop Rockefeller Institute

Friends from Wintrhop Rockefeller Institute


The Pointe in Conway

Tiffany Young

Tiffany Young from The Pointe in Conway

Conway Chamber Member Special

Conway Chamber LogoYesterday, I renewed my membership at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.  I am so glad I did!  So, to celebrate my renewal, I am offering a special for Chamber of Commerce members.

I am offering 25% off of my website packages for Conway Chamber members.  That’s right, 25% off until April 30, 2011 to members of the Chamber of Commerce in Conway, AR.

You will need to have signed the contract and paid 50% of the payment by April 30th to qualify for the discount.  Also, you will either need to be listed in the Chamber directory or have verification from a Chamber staff member that you are a member.

So, you’ve been thinking about building your first business website or rebuilding your existing website, well, now’s the time!  Contact me today to start the process.

And remember, you can always sign up for our free website tips.

Conway, the census and geeks

Arkansas was one of the “lucky” states to get its US Census Data released early.  It, as always, is interesting to peruse.

Conway, it seems, did not quite reach the 60,000 threshold we had hoped for.  That’s o.k., we are moving in the right direction.  Just ten years ago the city was a little over 40,000 people, and then, boom!  Conway grew by more residents than my hometown, Batesville, even has.

Toad Suck Square in Conway Arkansas

Flickr: windley

I spent the past 13 years living in Fort Worth, TX which is the county seat of  Tarrant County.  Tarrant County is on a pace to out gain its neighbor, Dallas County, to the East.  And believe me, if they can beat Dallas in anything, they will take great joy!

Having lived in a large city with tons and tons of opportunities, I was hesitant when I moved here a year ago.  All I knew was I was making a new start and living closer to family.  I also remember when some guy named Kris Allen won some kind of talent show a few years ago.  I heard about that somehow.

So, I knew of Conway’s growth and recent fame, but I did not quite know what to expect.  I mean, I am moving from a city of almost 700,000 people to one just a little over 45,000, or maybe 50,000, we really did not know.  I really thought it was alright because it was close to Little Rock.  However, now I know the truth is Little Rock is alright because it is close to Conway!

Conway has a vibrant Chamber of Commerce.  They really care about their members!  They want each one to succeed.  The Chamber of Commerce, along with some key businesses, lead the way in making this a strong town.  Conway isn’t just a town that is growing numerically, but it is a town that is growing in reputation and impact.

I knew when I got here I needed to network to find work.  I was a twitter user before I moved here, so, I simply fired up twitter and began looking for folks to follow.  Not only did I find folks who were active on twitter, but they engaged in conversation with me and I soon met them.  I was amazed at how far along the geeky, technology community of Conway was.

Conway was given a title of one of the 10 Geekiest Cities in the U.S. by OnlineUniversities.com. The community has embraced the title, because they know that technology is the next great industry and can create a strong, vibrate economy and good jobs.

So, it seems, Conway is at a point in which it converges with the US Census, and, well, us geeks.  Conway will be o.k. going forward.

Chamber Here I Come

I made a bold move today.  I joined the Conway (AR) Chamber of Commerce.  If you are a resident of Conway and have a business, you might consider joining. These guys do a great job and it is a good way to get exposure.

PTTP Chamber Building

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thechamberlife/

I think there are many good reasons to join the Chamber, but one thing I like about our Chamber is that they are using social media.  Several of the staff tweet often on twitter and they know how to make use of other social media channels such as flickr and Youtube.  Last year they even held a Social Media Conference.

It is a great way to get your business some much needed exposure as they list in their newsletter, on their website, and feature you in the member newsletter.  They also do “ribbon cuttings.”  I participated in one for my church, oneChurch.  If you don’t have a marketing team, this is a “no brainer.”  If you do, well, you can still benefit.

Thanks to Whitney Farris (@ChamberWhitney) and Jamie Ekenseair (@chamberjamie) who helped me get signed up.

Check out the Chamber trying out the latest models from Caldwell Toyota.

Kudos to the Conway Police Department

I was searching on facebook tonight, for nothing in particular, and I found this unique tidbit from the Conway Police Department (AR).  I am a fan of theirs at facebook, and they had this public service announcement.

You can view it here.
Public Service Announcement

Talk about taking advantage of social media channels!  The forum was awesome too since it referred to keeping children safe online.

Kudos to the Conway Police Department and the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Department.  They made a very simple, yet effective video, and they shared it online.  The police department has 755 fans so you know the video will be viewed by hundreds of people.  This is an organization that is taking seriously the power and impact of social media.

The department is doing a great job with their facebook page.  The only feedback I would offer is to respond to fan comments in some way.  Engaging a fans is a vital element of using social media successfully.  Otherwise, they are doing an awesome job.  Their competency in social media makes me feel more comfortable with their work in public safety.