2019 First Friday Breakfast-EXPO May 3rd

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**DOORS OPEN AT 7:00AM** PROGRAM WILL BEGIN AT 7:30AM SHARP. WITH OVER 450+ IN ATTENDANCE, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ARRIVE EARLY.
First Friday Breakfast
At the Business EXPO & Career Fair

Tapping Into the Region’s Talent: Chamber Hosting Largest Career and Workforce Education Event in Area

“This is really going to be exciting and a complete change from what we’ve done in the past,” said Tim Allen, President and CEO of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Fort Smith has never seen anything like this event before.”

The breakfast will feature keynote speaker Jeremy Bout, TV Host, Entrepreneur, Filmmaker and President of Edge Factor, one of the country’s leading creative businesses, coupling advanced manufacturing and interactive resources. To build the workforce pipeline, Edge Factor tells real life stories of makers who are using technology to change lives and pushing back the edge of what's possible. They create in-depth, dynamic interactive resources that equip educators and business leaders with tools to break the negative reputation of manufacturing, raise awareness of the incredible careers in manufacturing and make STEAM (science, technology engineering, art, and math) relevant. Edge Factor empowers communities across North America with story-driven tools to tackle workforce development, inspire students, reach parents, and build relationships between local schools and companies.
The Fort Smith Chamber has focused on the expanding effort to build a regional infrastructure to develop the talent for a variety of career pathways, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare and information technology jobs.
“Jeremy is a mixed brew of caffeine, ideas that defy convention and passion that drives creativity,” continued Allen. “His presentation is going to change the way Fort Smith thinks about our workforce. We’ve also got a surprise that is really going to make businesses take notice. Do not miss this event.”

Speaker Bio:

Jeremy Bout

Since the beginning of mankind and paintings on cave walls, stories have connected generations and united communities. As the Founder and Host of Edge Factor, award-winning storyteller Jeremy Bout empowers communities with story-driven tools to tackle workforce development, inspire students, reach parents, and build relationships between local schools and businesses.