Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
WAL-MART employees attend expo.
Select employees attend shareholder’s event at fairgrounds
FAYETTEVILLE — The Wal-Mart Associate Expo had all the makings of a circus. Except the clowns.
White top carnival tents filled the Washington County Fairgrounds. A local chef tried to build the tallest s’more tower while some people sang karaoke and others played with Samsung’s Gear VR — a 360-degree virtual reality simulator.
A cover band played Southern rock hits in the background as Wal- Mart employees made their way around to free samples and areas designated for outdoor activities such as mini golf and rock climbing.
More than 5,700 of the retailer’s employees from 27 countries are in Northwest Arkansas this week for events before the company’s 46th annual Shareholders Meeting.
U. S. Wal- Mart logistics and global e-commerce employees attended the expo Wednesday after attending the employees meeting at the University of Arkansas where guest celebrities Steve Harvey and singer Kelsea Ballerini made appearances, and were just one wave of workers to visit the fairgrounds. More than 1,000 international employees are scheduled to attend from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.
Aaron Mullins, Wal-Mart spokesman, said the shareholder meetings have grown over the years.
“Sam ( Walton) would take people hiking, fishing or boating. Obviously it has evolved. This is really all for
our associates and to celebrate the work they do serving our customers,” he said.
Many of Wednesday’s expo visitors seemed excited if not a bit dazed looking around and clutching their “goodies” bags. Store managers from around the world select which employees get to attend the shareholders meeting, and only those chosen for the meeting can attend the week’s events and festivities.
“This is a high- ticket event,” said Andrew Nestor, a global internal communications and digital content manager for Wal-Mart, who worked and attended the event for the first time this year.
“It’s upbeat and everyone is so friendly,” said Shirley Morris, a department manager from Pittsburgh.
Training coordinator Mary Keifert walked past the petting zoo and automotive area with department manager Erika Torres, who both came from Fresno, Calif. Keifert has worked for WalMart for 20 years, Torres for four.
It was the first time they were allowed to attend as well, they said.
“They said that we had to make sure to go back and tell them everything and that I would be the best candidate because I like to talk. Those were my manager’s words. So I’m privileged that I finally got to come,” Keifert said.
“I plan to get a bunch of stuff so we can share and just have fun.”
The expo also is a place for Wal- Mart suppliers to showcase products. All suppliers are welcome to participate if space allows, Mullins said.
“Our buyers work with suppliers to showcase new and innovative items with the goal of allowing associates to experience them and take knowledge and excitement around new items back to their stores,” he said.
Vendors ranged from household names, such as Budweiser and Hellmann’s, to small, newer businesses such as Oatmega Bar that launched in February from Austin, Texas.
“We are so new to WalMart so it is such a good fit for what we are trying to do,” said Ashley Montgomery, Oatmega director of sales and marketing.
“We want to make really good balanced nutrition accessible, and being in WalMart is just the perfect way to do that.”
Ashton Eley can be reached by email at aeley@nwadg.com.