A new year often brings new goals — and for many local professionals, that includes growing their network. Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or someone looking to make stronger professional connections, the River Valley has several business-focused networking opportunities worth knowing about as 2026 gets underway.
Here are a few recurring and upcoming business networking events in Fort Smith and Van Buren, with more being added throughout the year.
Business 2 Business Luncheon — Fort Smith
The Fort Smith Regional Chamber’s Business 2 Business Luncheon is a popular midday networking event designed for professionals who want to connect without giving up an entire afternoon or evening.
This luncheon-style event offers a relaxed setting to meet other business owners, exchange ideas, and build new relationships — all during your lunch break.
Next Event:
📅 Thursday, January 15, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 The Bakery District, Fort Smith
Hosted by McClure Professional Services
Lunch sponsored by Express Employment Professionals
Small Business & Entrepreneur Networking — Fort Smith (Weekly)
For those who prefer a more casual, recurring meetup, Fort Smith Coffee Company hosts a weekly Small Business and Entrepreneur Networking gathering every Monday morning.
This informal event brings together local entrepreneurs to discuss collaboration, shared customers, and ways to grow business together — all over coffee.
When:
📅 Every Monday
⏰ 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
📍 Fort Smith Coffee Company (OG location)
1101 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
This is a great option for business owners who enjoy starting the week with conversation, ideas, and community.
Business After Hours — Van Buren
The Business After Hours event hosted by the Van Buren Chamber offers an evening networking opportunity in a relaxed, creative environment. Attendees can enjoy light snacks while connecting with fellow professionals from across the community.
Date:
📅 Tuesday, January 13, 2026
⏰ 5:15 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Crawford County Adult Education Center
301 Mount Vista Blvd, Van Buren
Attendance is free, but registration is required.
ASBTDC at the Van Buren Chamber (Weekly Business Support)
While not a traditional networking event, ASBTDC at The Chamber is a valuable weekly resource for local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Each Wednesday, Ty Barrett, Regional Office Director of the Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) at UAFS, is available at the Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center to provide free, confidential one-on-one consulting.
Support is available for:
Business startups
Growth and operations
Market research
Competitive strategy
When:
📅 Every Wednesday
📍 Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center
Appointments are recommended.
Know a Business Networking Event We Should Include?
We’re building a growing calendar of business and professional networking opportunities across the River Valley — and we know there are more out there.
If you host or know of a recurring business networking event, chamber meetup, or entrepreneur-focused gathering, you can submit it directly to our events calendar.
👉 Submit your event at:
rivervalleylocal.com/events