Workforce Strategies for a Thriving Region: Manufacturing
| March 31 | 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | NWACC Shewmaker Center for Business Peterson Auditorium (900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville, AR 72712)
The 51青楼, , , , and the invite you to join听Workforce Strategies for a Thriving Region: Manufacturing, a free training event focused on opportunities across Northwest Arkansas, Southwest Missouri, and the broader tri-state region to help disengaged people reinvest into the workforce.听
Manufacturing in Arkansas and Missouri is a major economic driver, accounting for approximately 12% of the workforce in both states. In the United States, every $1.00 spent in manufacturing creates $2.69 for our economy. This event will focus on innovations in manufacturing in the I-49 region: the , the talent pipeline, and innovations in workforce education.
This event is a part of a quarterly,听collaborative series designed to advance workforce solutions in multiple sectors.听This series builds on the success of the , offering a deeper, more focused exploration of the most pressing challenges affecting our regional labor market. Each event brings together leaders from education, industry, government, and community organizations to engage in meaningful conversations around timely workforce topics.
These interactive, solutions-oriented sessions aim to:
- Identify persistent workforce barriers and systemic challenges
- Highlight innovative and scalable practices already underway
- Foster partnerships and regional alignment to drive real progress
Space is limited. Registration is FREE but is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The final agenda can be found here. An overview can be found below:
8:00 鈥� 8:30 a.m. | Check-In and Networking听
8:30 – 9:45 a.m. | American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund
9:45 – 10:00 a.m. | Break
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | The Talent Pipeline: Employer Perspectives (Panel)
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Highlights in Higher Education
12:00 – 12:15 p.m. |听Debrief and Dismissal
Emotions are Scary: Understanding and Using Emotional Intelligence听
Presented by Dr. Steven Shook
Date: April 9, 2026
Delivery:听In-Person Workshop
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm CST
Location:听Hilton Garden Inn – Fayetteville, 1325 N Palak Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704
Health Partners welcomes听Dr. Steven Shook, an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and strategic leadership advisor, as the next听in-person听series speaker for the Connections Leadership Institute!
About the Session:听Join us as Dr.听Shook takes attendees through an interactive workshop to help understand the complexity of emotions and how they show up in leadership and in the workplace.听听
About the Speaker:听Steven Shook, PhD, is a dynamic leadership consultant, facilitator, and speaker known for his engaging and transformative approach to developing leaders and teams. A native of Stuttgart, Arkansas, and now based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Steven brings over a decade of experience in leadership development, organizational psychology, and change management.
He most recently served as Director of the Center for Leadership Development at the 51青楼 and now leads Shake It Up Consulting while also facilitating with LEADEROLOGY in Southern California. Steven holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and an MBA from the 51青楼.
Through his work, Steven has designed and delivered powerful workshops and training programs focused on leadership excellence, mindset transformation, team development, strategic planning, emotional intelligence (EQi), and communication. His experience spans industries as diverse as higher education, healthcare, technology, government, construction/manufacturing, non-profits, and faith-based organizations. Known for his high-energy style and practical insights, Steven equips leaders and听organizations to navigate complexity, build trust, and achieve lasting, transformational outcomes.
About the Series:听Like all Connections Institute Leadership sessions, this event is free to Health Partners’ members and their teams. Registration is required, as space is limited. Registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will be confirmed weekly on the Monday following registration.
Participation questions or inquiries may be submitted to Trace at听thenley@healthpartnerspho.com.
In partnership with
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Workforce Strategies for a Thriving Region: Upcoming Events
Save the dates for upcoming topics in the “Workforce Strategies for a Thriving Region” series! Session topics and dates include:
- June 10, 2026: Housing and Childcare 鈥� Tackling two of the biggest non-wage barriers to workforce stability
Registration links for upcoming events can be found on this landing page and will be available soon.