Quarterly Business Analysis Luncheon

The Quarterly Business Analysis program builds networks of leaders from business, academic and governmental sectors in the region while addressing business highlights of the previous quarter, key economic trends and projections and immediate and long-term issues facing the regional and state economy.

State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report 

The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the Sam M. Walton College of Business and the Northwest Arkansas Council will mark 15 years of partnership on the State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report during this year’s event on Friday, October 23.

This highly anticipated event will provides valuable insights on the economic climate and future growth prospects for the Northwest Arkansas region. 

Mervin Jebaraj

What: U of A economist, Mervin Jebaraj will be joined by Northwest Arkansas Council CEO Nelson Peacock to release the Annual State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report. Featured spaker, Larry Frank will 

Join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 23, 2026 at the Fayetteville Public Library 401 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville, AR 72701. Networking will begin at 11am.

To register, please call 479-575-4151 or email cber@walton.uark.edu . The cost for the program and luncheon is $60 for an individual and $600 for a table of ten.

Please note: To register, please call 479-575-4151 or email cber@walton.uark.edu .


Larry Frank

This year’s program will feature Dr. Lawrence Frank, founder and president of Urban Design 4 Health and professor of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of California San Diego. A nationally recognized leader in walkability and healthy community design, Dr. Frank will share how walkable, bikeable, and connected communities can improve public health, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen workforce participation. His presentation will also explore how transportation, parks, and accessibility can support Northwest Arkansas' continued growth and long-term competitiveness.

The program will also examine Arkansas Issue 3 and the Northwest Arkansas Council's regional growth strategy, highlighting the investments and policies shaping the region’s future. The strategy's six priorities focus on regional collaboration, strong town centers, housing, transportation, and infrastructure as Northwest Arkansas prepares for a population projection of 1 million residents by 2050.

Attendees will receive the latest economic insights from Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, through CBER’s Quarterly Business Analysis and the annual State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report. First released in 2011, the report remains one of the region's most trusted measures of economic performance, benchmarking Northwest Arkansas against peer regions across the country.

Thank you for support of our outreach programs and efforts. We look forward to having you join us for this important conversation about the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of Northwest Arkansas. For questions, please contact cber@walton.uark.edu.