Northwest Arkansas National Airport is on track to exceed 800,000 emplanements by the end of 2022. 

• Turbulence: Post-pandemic factors like remote work, decline in business travel, and pilot shortages have hurt the flight industry, but executives at XNA are optimistic about their growth amidst the headwinds they face. 
• Gaining altitude: Expecting between 825,000 and 830,000 emplanements in 2022 would achieve the airport's second-best year behind 2019, which saw 922,533 emplanements, and its best year since the pandemic. 

Read more on the story HERE. 

The SEC released the 2023 Arkansas football schedule yesterday, giving fans a chance to start their fall 2023 weekend planning.

• At home: The Hogs will host seven in-state home games during the 2023 season with the season opener against Western Carolina on Sept. 2 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
• Away: The Razorbacks will face on the road challenges at LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Florida as well as squaring off with A&M at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sept. 30, 2023 (ideally, for a third win in a row after this weekend).

Check out the full schedule HERE.

The Rogers Public Library Foundation is hosting a culinary fundraising event on Oct 28th to support the various enriching programs and services provided by the Rogers Public Library. 

• Eat: The event is a culinary competition between four first class chefs who will showcase quality dishes of complex flavors, textures, and color combinations. All attendees will have a chance to taste the competing chefs' preparations as well as special “pass” dishes, and VIP attendees will be served special dishes and drinks by two VIP Chefs in the VIP Lounge. 
• Interact: Attendees will receive personal swag bags, have the opportunity to interact with the competing chefs as they demonstrate their culinary skills, participate in a crowd vote for the Top Chef NWA, and take part in a silent auction and a raffle. 

Reserve your tickets HERE. 

On Monday, Bentonville-based Sam’s Club announced plans to construct a 34,000 sq. ft. Design Studio on its corporate campus west of Moberly Ln. 

• The why: The Sam’s Club Design Studio will be a dedicated space for innovating, creating, and collaborating, with hopes to empower the company to continue boldly into the rapidly transforming future of retail. 
• The when: Nielsen Architecture of Bentonville will build The Design Studio with construction expected to begin in early 2023 and completion anticipated by the following spring. 

Learn more about the development HERE. 

Rocket Homes named Fayetteville as the #3 destination in the South for viewing fall foliage. 

• Mark your calendars: The site determined Oct 30th as the optimal day for viewing fall leaves in NW Arkansas. 
• Plan a drive: One of our favorite areas nearby for fall foliage viewing is the stretch of HWY 49 between Fayetteville and Devil’s Den State Park in Winslow, or take a trek out to Hawksbill Crag in Kingston for breathtaking views. 

View the full list of fall destinations HERE.