Chamber Week was a week-long celebration of the people, businesses, and community partners who make the Paragould region a great place to live, work, and grow.
Throughout the week, the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce created opportunities to celebrate our members, recognize the people and businesses who have helped shape our community, build connections, and look ahead to the future. From welcoming new businesses to honoring more than a century of Chamber history, the week was a reminder of the important role our members play in the continued growth of Paragould.
Celebrating New Businesses
Chamber Week kicked off with a ribbon cutting at Next Level Sports & Play, a new recreational destination offering inflatable bounce houses for birthday parties, special events and more, along with batting cages available for rent and monthly membership options.
Later in the week, the Chamber celebrated Image Realty with a ribbon cutting at its new location at 120 Greene 721 Road. Image Realty serves clients throughout Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri, providing real estate services to the region.
Both ribbon cuttings offered an opportunity to celebrate business growth while welcoming new chapters for two local businesses.
Honoring the Past and Looking Ahead
One of the week's highlights was a special Chamber member lunch celebrating the people and history behind the Paragould Regional Chamber.
With more than 110 years of Chamber history, there is a lot to look back on. During the lunch, members watched a video highlighting the Chamber's journey through the years before taking time to honor the past Chamber Board Presidents who have each played a role in shaping the Chamber, the community, and the history of Paragould.
The celebration wasn't only about looking back. It also provided an opportunity to look ahead.
A panel of a few current Chamber Board Members shared their hopes and vision for the future, giving members a chance to hear where they see the community heading and how the Chamber can continue to play a role in that future.
The afternoon served as a reminder that the work of a Chamber is built one generation at a time. The Chamber is grateful to those who came before, proud to recognize the impact they made, and excited about what comes next.
To the past Chamber Board Presidents, thank you for helping shape the Chamber we have today. And to those leading us forward, we look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds.
Bringing the Community Together
Chamber Week also provided plenty of opportunities for members and community partners to connect outside of the traditional business setting.
The Great Community Walk & Roll, hosted by Paragould Emerging Professionals (PEP), brought families, businesses, nonprofits and community partners together along the 8 Mile Creek Trail for an evening of music, games, fellowship and fun.
With a rock-and-roll theme, participants were encouraged to dress up and decorate their rides, bringing plenty of creativity to the trail. Local nonprofits also had the opportunity to share their stories and connect directly with members of the community.
The event was about more than simply getting out and walking. It was about creating connections between people and organizations throughout Paragould.
PEP is proud to create opportunities that bring people together, build connections and make a positive impact in the community. The Great Community Walk & Roll was another example of what can happen when businesses, nonprofits and community members come together.
Ending the Week Together
Chamber Week closed with the Chamber's very first Picnic at the Pavilion, giving members one more opportunity to gather, relax and enjoy time together.
Chamber members enjoyed lunch provided by the Chamber, lawn games, music and plenty of time to visit and connect with one another. After a busy week of celebrating the Chamber and its members, the picnic offered a simple way to end the week: good food, good company and good conversation.
Celebrating Our Chamber Community
While each Chamber Week event was different, they all shared a common purpose: celebrating the people and businesses that make Paragould what it is today while building connections that will help shape what comes next.
From welcoming new businesses and honoring more than a century of Chamber history to bringing members, nonprofits and families together, Chamber Week was a reflection of what the Chamber is all about.
Thank you to everyone who joined us throughout Chamber Week, participated in an event, volunteered, sponsored, shared their time or simply showed up to support the Chamber and its members.
Most of all, thank you to our Chamber members. We loved having the opportunity to celebrate you and the businesses, organizations and people who make Paragould such a great place to be.
