GEARs Workshops

Generalist Electromechanics for Applied Researchers Workshops

Travel and Lodging

The workshop will be held in beautiful Northwest Arkansas at the Leeman Geophysical facility. Siloam Springs (where you will stay) is a great small town and has many options for food, entertainment, and outdoors activities. Gentry (where the facility is) is a nice rural setting about 10 minutes from Siloam Springs by car. No public transportation is available in the area.

We recommend arriving Sunday before the workshop and departing Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Travel

Flights are easy to get into Northwest Arkansas National Airport (KXNA). Sometimes you’ll hear it called Highfill, Bentonville, Rogers, or Fayetteville - but as long as it is XNA you’ll come to the right spot! We will provide a ride from the airport to the hotel for you, just be sure to send us your flight details. We will also be providing rides to the airport for departure.

Lodging

We recommend the Hampton Inn in Siloam Springs. The hotel is within walking distance of many eateries, convenience stores, and a WalMart. We will shuttle you to and from the workshop if needed.

Venue

The workshop will be held at the Leeman Geophysical building (23830 West Highway 12 Gentry, AR). This is a state of the art machining and manufacturing facility with tons of tools and resources available for the workshop.

Food

Meals, except the Thursday night BBQ and Friday lunch are on your own. The hotel does have a small breakfast buffet. There are many eateries within walking distance of the hotel. We’ve listed them below as well as some that are further away, but also good choices. Uber is alive and well in Siloam, as is Bite Squad. For lunch we recommend going into Gentry.

Walkable From the Hotel

  • Domino’s Pizza
  • Jim’s Razorback Pizza
  • Burger King
  • Casey’s Takeout
  • Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings
  • Waffle House
  • WalMart
  • Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant and Bar
  • Matador Mexican Bar and Grill
  • Panda Express
  • Rib Crib
  • Wendy’s
  • Freddy’s
  • Little Ceasar’s Pizza
  • Starbuck’s
  • Popeye’s
  • Hunan Village
  • Tropical Smoothie Cafe
  • Jimmy John’s
  • 7Brew
  • Eat My Catfish
  • IHOP

Others in Siloam Springs

  • Callahan’s Steakhouse
  • Pure Joy Ice Cream
  • Cafe on Broadway
  • Pour John’s
  • Tintos & Tapas
  • Ivory Bill Brewing
  • Park House
  • Creekside Tap Room
  • Downtown has some foodtrucks
  • Barnett’s Dairyette
  • Cherokee Casino
  • and lots of other chain fast food

Gentry

  • The Wooden Spoon (amazing home cooking style food)
  • Miss Mary’s (Diner)
  • La Huerta Mexican Restaurant
  • Pioneer Pizza
  • Burrito House and Taqueria
  • Jim’s Razorback Pizza
  • Sonic
  • Subway
  • McDonald’s

Area Activities

Northwest Arkansas is a beautiful place to explore with activities ranging from hiking, biking, and climbing to museums, shopping, and dining. Below we’ve listed a few activities close to the workshop, but we’re happy to help you find activities further away if you’re planning on staying in the area to explore. There are world class art museums, mountain bike trails, and more.

  • Gentry Eagle Watch Trail
  • Sager Creek Trail (walk/bike on a nice paved trail)
  • Downtown Park (walk through downtown and enjoy the shops and outdoors areas)
  • City Lake (disc golf, biking, hiking, a bit of a drive)
  • John Brown University (beautiful campus and walk with tennis courts and more)
  • Many shops and museums a short drive away in Rogers/Bentonville on request!