A rare blend of connection, culture and wide-open possibility
By Eming Piansay
For any event, it is essential to create a sense of balance between the hustle and bustle of a heavy meeting day and the natural wonders of the world around. Arkansas captures this beautifully with the Ozark Mountains, world-class museums and powerful historic sites. The state offers not only places to gather but also space to learn about the past and appreciate the landscapes through which your events are moving.
Resources
Visit Hot Springs
[email protected] | hotsprings.org
Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
[email protected] | littlerock.com
Arkansas Tourism
[email protected] | arkansas.com
4 Reasons Planners Love Arkansas
Explore the Ozark Mountain region. If your group is hankering for outdoor activities beyond the boardroom, planners can tap into world-class fishing at the White River and Norfolk Lake. There are also opportunities to unwind in one of the area’s cozy cabins or to canoe and kayak along the Buffalo National River.
Art abounds. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is an ideal location to bring attendees for an immersive look at the American spirit through art. The museum features pavilions set around two spring-fed ponds, galleries, meeting and classroom areas, and a glass-enclosed hall for gatherings. Year-round programming includes lectures, performances and classes.
Explore the gardens. Stop to smell the flowers at Garvan Woodland Gardens, the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas. Stroll along 4.5 miles of wooded shoreline where your group can learn, reflect and take in the surrounding landscape. Workshops and events are scheduled throughout the year, providing plenty of opportunities and photo-worthy moments.
Cave of wonders. If you have a cave explorer in your group, consider Blanchard Springs Caverns. Upon entering, guests watch a short film that introduces them to the caverns and previews what they’ll encounter below ground. Several tour options offer different perspectives, including routes that involve climbing over rocks and navigating narrow spaces. The caverns are scheduled to reopen on March 5.
4 Places to Meet & Stay
Hot Springs Convention Center offers onsite catering partners, full AV capabilities, high-speed Wi-Fi and flexible room configurations.
360,000 sq. ft. of meeting space
Statehouse Convention Center is connected to the Little Rock Marriott, which provides 418 guest rooms and an additional 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
220,000 sq. ft. of meeting space
Fort Smith Convention Center sits in downtown Fort Smith, and the state-of-the-art ArcBest Performing Arts Center can host up to 1,331 guests.
116,800 sq. ft. of meeting space
Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas – Hotel, Spa & Convention Center can accommodate up to 3,000 guests and is located five minutes from the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion.
80,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 400 guest rooms
This article appears in the January 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
