Bonus Episode | NWA Tech Summit Live, Featuring Jennifer Thomas, Amy Hopper Swan, Clark Cogbill, David Sanders & Andy Martin

SummaryThe NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare, and diversify the local Northwest Arkansas economy. In its ninth year, the NWA Tech Summit came back with 1,700 registered attendees when it returned in-person to downtown Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is an event hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and it is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, Northwest Arkansas Council, Walmart, J. B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, Salesforce, and the University of Arkansas Blockchain Center of Excellence.
Show Notes(0:55) Introduction to Jennifer Thomas(13:11) Introduction to Amy Hopper Swan(22:25) Introduction to Clark Cogbbill(32:10) Introduction to David Sanders(41:58) Introduction to Andy Martin(49:28) Closing Thoughts
LinksJames BellBentonville Economic Development 2022 Northwest Arkansas Technology SummitJennifer ThomasPlug and Play Tech CenterAmy Hopper SwanArkansas Research AllianceHorizon Health SolutionsClark CogbillArkansas Economic Development CommissionDavid SandersInnovate Arkansas at Winrock InternationalAndy MartinWishfluenceArkansas I-Fund & Delta I-Fund at Winrock InternationalUniversity of ArkansasBob KurcheravyKris AdamsGreater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Preacher’s Son
Quotes“Now we have this robust market of startups that are providing new opportunities for chronic health, are meeting consumers where they are and are changing how you approach healthcare…consumers have started driving their own healthcare in ways they hadn’t previously.” - Jennifer Thomas, (3:44)
“Arkansas Research Alliance has been around for fifteen years, and we exist to keep scientific talent in our state and recruit scientific talent here. We see this as a means to economic development. It’s a long-term outlook, but our scientists are pushing research forward, partnering with industry and creating their own companies and jobs for Arkansas.” - Amy Hopper Swan, (17:28)
“The whole mission and goal of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission is to increase jobs in the state and increase the average salary. To do that we help businesses that are already here grow, and we recruit businesses to the state.” - Clark Cogbill, (23:15)
“...it’s a wonderful program that really is a lead commercialization agent for the state. Our team of business