Tired of conferences that keep everyone indoors and restless? We sat down with Wes Oliver, director of sales at Visit Bentonville, to unpack a NEW WAY:  The Unconventional Convention concept is a walkable, multi-venue model that trades hallways and windowless ballrooms for light, movement, and a sense of place. Bentonville stitches together high-quality spaces around downtown—think the Ledger, the Record, Compton Gardens, and new capacity at The Heartland Whole Health Institute and The Compton Hotel.

Beyond meeting rooms, Bentonville’s strengths show up in curated experiences: guided rides on nearby trails, docent-led tours at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and family-friendly stops at the Amazeum. The result is a destination conference model that boosts attendee satisfaction, supports sustainability with car-light movement, and turns a free afternoon into a meaningful part of the program. 

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A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.

You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.