For University of Arkansas athletics, the 2020-21 year was full of notable accomplishments. As a result, the Hogs earned a spot in the top 10 of the Directors' Cup Final Rankings,

• First for everything: The Directors' Cup is a list which "tracks the nation’s most successful intercollegiate athletics programs for their performances throughout the year." This is the first time the Razorbacks have finished so high in the ranking - coming in at No. 8 in the nation.
• Sibling rivalry: Three other SEC schools ranked within the top ten and four in the top 25. Out of the schools with 19 or fewer sports, Arkansas swept the competition and claimed the number one spot in the country.

You can find out more about the Razorbacks' impressive performance last year and their hopes for next season HERE.

Story courtesy of Arkansas Razorback Athletics

Tech icons and industry leaders will be visiting NWA this fall for the annual Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit "to solve common challenges in a rapidly changing world."

• Powering on: From students to CEOs, this year's summit is inviting tech enthusiasts to tackle all technology topics head-on. Speakers, collaborators, business owners, and influencers are convening to answer the question "what's next... after next?"
• What to expect: With 70 speakers from different domains, the three-day conference will merge art, cycling, and technology together along with the problems each industry is facing.

Find out more about the NWA Tech Summit and learn how to sign up HERE.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened its doors in 2011, and over the past decade, it has welcomed over 5 million visitors from across the globe. In recognition of this anniversary, the museum is presenting a new exhibition to celebrate its collection and community.

• A modern blend: The new exhibition, titled Crystal Bridges at 10, will feature "10 distinct art experiences" comprised of 130 artworks. With some new art sprinkled into the mix, these exhibits will celebrate the museum's collection through local storytelling.
• Coming soon: The exhibition is set to open July 11 and will be open through late September.

Learn more about how Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is celebrating its first ten years, and how you can participate HERE.

Last year, the City of Fayetteville allowed local restaurants and bars to use parking spaces as additional outdoor seating. After Gov. Hutchinson's emergency declaration ended this year, questions arose as to whether or not this creative, European style option would remain. Well good news, it will!

• It's official: On Tuesday, an action was approved allowing for continued use of parklets as seating, as long as businesses keep up with the daily rates and maintain a buffer between pedestrians and street traffic. It was approved unanimously.
• Here to stay: Over the past year, the use of parklets boosted the city's economy, especially in the downtown area. On Dickson, these seating arrangements have become part of the experience for people enjoying the local restaurants and bar scene.

Read more about Fayetteville's policy on parklets and how they are becoming a part of the community HERE.

Heartland Forward, the Bentonville based strategy think tank, previewed the Arkansas Economic Recovery Strategy, which will focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment in talent as the secret sauce in the wake of the pandemic.

• A firm foundation: The report highlights education as the starting point for economic change in the state. Creating an innovative workforce falls to universities, which can "leverage research universities and intellectual assets as economic development engines."
• Other recommendations from the Heartland report include adopting retention strategies, seeking additional funding, and providing access to high-speed internet. “Arkansas’s natural beauty, economic resilience, and robust workforce are the keys to dynamic economic growth."

Learn more about Heartland Forward's report on Arkansas's recovering economy and how it impacts NWA HERE.