Walmart’s “Open Call” event September 24th-25th

One of Walmart’s most exciting events of the year is about to kick off in Northwest Arkansas: Open Call. For more than a decade now, hundreds of U.S.-based small business owners descend on Bentonville to pitch their American-made products to be sold on Walmart’s physical and digital shelves. It’s all part of Walmart’s dedication to strengthening American jobs through an investment of $350 billion in products made, grown or assembled in America. That amounts to supporting more than 750,000 US jobs.

This year’s Open Call event is September 24 and 25, and you’re invited to see the excitement in person. Open Call kicks off Tuesday, the 24th, with introductory meetings for the invited small businesses. On Wednesday, the 25th, business owners from all over the country will sit down with Walmart buyers for 30 minutes each to pitch their products.

We’d be happy to coordinate and have you on-site at Walmart Home Office (702 SW 8th St, Bentonville, AR 72716) during the following windows of time:

Tuesday, September 24: 7:45 – 9:15 a.m. 

• Media are invited to attend the Executive Session and capture b-roll.

• Interviews are available with Jason Fremstad, Senior VP of Supplier Development, Sourcing, Walmart International, from 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. outside of the Walmart Home Office auditorium.

Wednesday, September 25: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Media are invited to interview Open Call golden ticket winners and capture b-roll in the supplier hallways.

For press credentials or to reserve a seat for the Executive Session, RSVP to Katie Disper (katie.disper@dentsu.com | 864-775-1734) by Monday, September 23, at 12:00 p.m. with the full name, outlet name and email address of who will be attending. Please note that all visitors must bring a photo ID for Home Office registration.

Let me know if you have any questions, and please see below and here for additional information about Walmart’s Open Call event.

Katie Disper, on behalf of Walmart

Open Call at a Glance:

• Open Call gives Walmart the opportunity to invest directly in U.S.-made products from selected small businesses.

• Products must be made, grown or assembled in the U.S. to be considered for the event.

• This year, there are 13 Missouri-based businesses pitching at least one product during the Open Call event.

• More than 500 businesses, pitching more than 700 products were invited to pitch their U.S.-made products to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants this year.

• Over the full course of Walmart’s $350 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing, Open Call will provide more than 9,000 opportunities for entrepreneurs to become Walmart suppliers.