2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show
Only 7 more days to take advantage of the early registration discount.
(See golf information and conference schedule below)
ARC 35th Annual Conference & Tradeshow will be held at
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, Hot Springs, AR,
August 31 – September 2, 2026.
Conference Registration is now open. See forms below
SOLID WASTE
LICENSING CREDITS
WILL BE AVAILABLE!
Conference T-Shirts Will Be For Sale at the Registration Desk
2026 Attendee Registration Form
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
2026 Exhibitor Registration Form
For LODGING RESERVATIONS at Oaklawn Casino Hotel:
Booking Link:
https://book.rguest.com/wbe/group/1971/Oaklawn-Jockey-Club/auth
Group Code: BKG1673
Password: 65580166
Or
Call In: 501-363-4625
Request Group Code: BKG1673
Conference events will start on Monday afternoon (8/31) and conclude September 02.
Questions: Call the ARC office: 866-290-1429
Monday Golf Tournament – August 31
Plan to join us at Diamondhead Golf Club, Hot Springs National Park, a par 72 PGA course, for 18 holes of golf, Monday, August 31, 2026. The tournament will begin at 12:30 PM with registration and lunch beginning at 11:30 AM at Diamondhead Golf Club. Diamondhead is located at 245 Independence Drive, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913. Directions to Diamondhead will be available at the ARC registration desk or emailed (prior to August 31, 2026) to those signed up to play. The format is a 4-person scramble. Mulligans will be available at registration. Your entry fee includes lunch (before OR after play), greens fee, refreshments/goodies, cart rental and a chance to win cash and prizes for the top three teams. Including a BONUS Prize in the value of $1,000 to the first person scoring a “Hole-In-One” on a designated Par 3. See the Rules for participation.
2026 ARC Conference Schedule
August 31
– Pre-Conference Workshop: AR Energy and Environment Updates –
September 01
– Who Knew: Recycling and Environmental Wins in Places you would not look! –
– Keynote Speaker –
– Applying AI in Existing Systems –
– Plenary Session – Case Studies from Leading Communities –
– Recycling Behavior Strategies and Insights –
– Need Help! Understanding the Roles of Environmental Groups in Arkansas –
– Lithium Development in Arkansas –
– Glass Recycling from Container to Contractor –
September 02
– Breakfast Speaker –
– Industrial End User Markets – How Industry Can Make a Silk Purse out of a Sow’s Ear –
Questions: Call the ARC Office at (866) 290-1429
ARC 2026 Conference Keynote
Ryan Vaughan
Chief Meteorologist, KAIT TV8
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Ryan is the husband of his high school sweetheart and the father of 4 and father-in-law to 2. He’s a big fan of football and basketball. When not at work, you can often catch him at a game, riding his bike, or walking his dogs.
Ryan was born and raised in Nashville, TN, and went to college at Western Kentucky University, graduating with a B.S. in Geography with an emphasis on Meteorology and Climate. While at WKU, he also minored in broadcast news.
Ryan started at KAIT in 2001. As you may recall, he left for 3 years to work at another Gray Media station, WSFA, in Montgomery, Ala., before returning to Region 8 in 2005.
Outside of the television business, Ryan has worked as a weather observer for the Federal Aviation Administration and worked for his dad at Vaughan Plumbing Company in Nashville, TN.
Ryan is a board member of the National Weather Association, a volunteer firefighter with Western Greene County Fire Department. He is also very active in his church, Central Baptist- Paragould Campus.
Ryan is a member of the National Weather Association, holds the NWA Seal of Approval, and was the 2016 NWA Broadcaster of the Year.