Several banks expressed serious interest in being the title sponsor for the Little Rock Touchdown Club after Metropolitan Bank sold to Simmons Bank.
Including Simmons, which wanted to be more than nearby and neighborly. It wanted more than just the great location for its logo every Monday at the luncheons.
It wanted to make the meetings bigger and better, so it offered two things: Money to be the title sponsor, and to help bring in national speakers.
When hundreds met Tuesday in the Simmons Bank lobby on Capitol and Broadway for David Bazzel's announcement regarding this year's speakers -- one of the best-kept secrets in the country -- excitement was everywhere.