Northwest Arkansas Council starts quarterly speaker series; XNA the topic of April 28 debut

Springdale-based nonprofit Northwest Arkansas Council has announced the creation of a quarterly speaker series that will provide organizations, companies and people with a platform to share news, events and other information with a regional audience.

Onward Ozarks will start at 8 a.m. April 28 as a Zoom event but is expected to evolve into an in-person breakfast later this year, depending on the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The council constantly looks for new ways to engage with the community,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “Onward Ozarks gives us an opportunity to bring topics of interest to residents, and at the same time highlight the meaningful work of our members and organizations throughout the region.”

The April 28 presentation will focus on planned improvements to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) in Highfill. Speakers Larry Perkin and Shayan Dehbozorgi are partners with Hight Jackson Associates in Rogers, and the architectural firm is overseeing the sky bridge project at XNA.

Randy Wilburn, founder and host of podcast “I Am Northwest Arkansas,” will serve as series host and moderator.

The council is seeking additional topics for future Onward Ozarks sessions. Those interested in presenting as part of the series should contact Rob Smith at [email protected]. A committee will select the speakers.

The council modeled the speaker series program after “Good Morning, Springfield,” a once-a-month breakfast hosted by the Springfield (Mo.) Area Chamber of Commerce that draws hundreds of attendees, according to a news release.

Link here to register for Onward Ozarks.