# Meetings in Rogers Case Study 80 person Association Conference *Published:* 2026-08-19 *Author:* luke.wiggins Meetings in Rogers Case Study ----------------------------- 80 person association conference ================================ Arkansas Society of Association Executives ------------------------------------------ They hosted their Annual Convention in Rogers at the [Embassy Suites & Rogers Convention Center](https://www.destinationrogers.com/get-inspired/articles/quick-guide-rogers-convention-center/). The event has about 80 attendees spanning generations. There was a general session, two excursions, an opening reception, and a closing banquet from a Sunday evening through Tuesday night event. ![Reception at Embassy Suites & Rogers Convention Center](https://www.destinationrogers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Reception-at-Embassy-Suites-Pinnacle-Foyer.jpg) Reception at Embassy Suites **Embassy Suites & Rogers Convention Center** ------------------------------------------------- [Embassy Suites & Rogers Convention Center](https://www.destinationrogers.com/meetings-groups-rogers/rogers-convention-center/) served as the group’s main conference venue, with the association using the hotel’s Pinnacle Ballroom for its general sessions. At peak, the group’s room block reached 60 guest rooms, a number that fit easily within the property’s 400 rooms Food and beverage was one of the standout elements of the event. Embassy Suites’ complimentary hot breakfasts kicked off each morning, followed by a lunch, a reception, and a dinner banquet over the course of the convention. The response from attendees was immediate and lasting. *“I am still getting compliments on the Build Your Own Bowl lunch and especially the steaks at the banquet. I’ve heard from person after person about how exceptional the meals were.” *-Leigh Anderson Executive Director ![Food at Embassy Suites and Rogers Convention Center](https://www.destinationrogers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Reception-food-at-Embassy-Suites-Pinnacle-Foyer.jpg) Hors d’oeuvres at Embassy Suites Offsites -------- The evening events brought their own energy. The group’s board dinner was held at [Oak Steakhouse](https://www.destinationrogers.com/listings/oak-steakhouse/1084/) at [Hotel AVAIL](https://www.destinationrogers.com/listings/hotel-avail-tapestry-collection-by-hilton/1082/), while the opening reception took over the largest Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the world, complete with a jazz trio, small bites, and seasonal cocktails. Outside the ballroom, the group’s two excursions gave attendees a chance to experience Rogers firsthand: an afternoon of indoor go-karting at [K1 Speed](https://www.destinationrogers.com/listings/k1-speed/992/) and a visit to [Honeycomb Kitchen Shop](https://www.destinationrogers.com/listings/honeycomb-kitchen-shop/135/). The go-karting outing in particular struck a chord across the group’s varied age range. “*The group that went to K1 was of a variety of ages and I didn’t see a one that wasn’t wearing a smile when stepping off the track” *-Luke Wiggins VP of Sales Destination Rogers* ![Group of meeting attendees at K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting](https://www.destinationrogers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Meetings-K1-Speed-Group-ASAE-Picture-scaled.jpg) K1 Speed Rogers Services we provided -------------------- Behind the scenes, Destination Rogers played a hands-on role in shaping the convention’s programming and logistics. The team helped secure two keynote speakers. Andrea Allen, co-founder of [Onyx Coffee Lab](https://www.destinationrogers.com/listings/onyx-coffee-hq-at-the-1907/48/), spoke about building company culture. Her downtown Rogers headquarters was named Food & Wine’s #1 coffee shop in the world. Blake Woosley of the University of Arkansas gave a keynote on turning ideas into action within organizations. Destination Rogers also helped book the jazz trio and a second line band in partnership with Anthony Ball of the Music Moves Foundation, a local organization that brings African American music education to area schoolchildren (and whose founder is no slouch on the drums). On the logistics side, the team connected the group with [Jim’s Express Shuttle](https://www.destinationrogers.com/listings/jims-express-shuttle/264/), which handled transportation between the Embassy Suites and the excursion stops in midtown and downtown Rogers, and the association also received a financial incentive from Destination Rogers to support the event. “*Every time I turned around, Destination Rogers was asking what I needed, offering another idea, solving another problem, or simply making me laugh. You made my job easier, you made our convention better, and I’m so grateful we got to work together.”* *-Leigh Anderson Executive Director* ![Andrea Allen of Onyx Coffee lab speaking onstage](https://www.destinationrogers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Meetings-Andrea-Allen-Speaking.jpg) Andrea Allen Co-Founder Onyx Coffee Lab A different level of care ------------------------- We are not a big city and we think that shapes how we approach service. The spirit of hospitality runs through our organization, our partners, and our community. We do not operate on tiered service levels based on group size. Every group gets the same commitment from us to be served as they need. Your meeting is not a commodity. It is a place of connection, learning, and growth for the people in the room. We try our best to give it the level of service that purpose deserves. “*I’ve always appreciated that you make every organization feel important, whether they’re bringing 500 people or 50. It means more than you know”* *-Leigh Anderson Executive Director* ![Destination Rogers team](https://www.destinationrogers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Destination-Rogers-Team.jpg) The Destination Rogers Team