Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses (AAAB)

AAAB's 2026 Business of the Year Award

Exciting news! Nominations are now open for the AAAB's 2026 Business of the Year Award, which recognizes an outstanding Arkansas business that demonstrates exceptional success while celebrating and weaving Asian heritage into the economic and cultural fabric of our state.

For more on award eligibility and judging criteria, visit our Award page. The nominations period closes at 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

NOMINATE A BUSINESS

2025 AAAB Day of Giving: Building Bridges, Fostering Growth

Our first-ever Day of Giving fundraising campaign was a huge success! We officially raised a grand total of $8,940, surpassing our goal by 11%. We are speechless and overwhelmed by the generosity of our incredible community.

Thank you for investing in connection and growth!

Connecting Arkansas and Asia in Business

Arkansas has a long and successful history of working with Asia in the areas of trade relations and foreign direct investments, as well as attracting professionals and entrepreneurs from Asia to the state. Did you know:

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 85% of Asians in Arkansas have at least a high school diploma; 46% of them have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. (Source: US Census)
Asians living in Arkansas had the highest median household income of all Arkansans by race of $90,288 per year: (Source: Neilsberg.com)
Arkansas continues to be an attractive location for Asian companies to do business, contributing to job creation. (Source: Arkansas Foreign-Owned Business Report)
Five of 10 Arkansas’s export locations are in Asia; specifically, Japan, China, Indonesia, South Korea and Vietnam (Source: 2023 and 2022)
Prominent Asian companies, including Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Welspun, and TY Garments USA, operate facilities in Arkansas.
Lithium Supply Agreement: Exxon Mobil signed a non-binding agreement with South Korea’s LG Chem to supply lithium extracted from Arkansas’ Smackover Formation, indicating collaboration in advanced energy sectors. (Source: Reuters)
Rice Trade with Japan: In 2023, Japan imported $414 million worth of rice from the U.S., with Arkansas poised to increase its contribution due to rising demand. (Source: Axios NW Arkansas)

Many professionals relocating to Arkansas for job opportunities, particularly those joining the Fortune 500 firms as well as technology and manufacturing companies, bring a global mindset. An organization like the AAAB that champions multicultural communities and fosters a diverse professional network is essential for attracting and retaining this talent, making Arkansas a welcoming place to call home.