BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 18, 2019 — More than 500 invited entrepreneurs will descend upon Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas hoping to land the deal of a lifetime. On June 18-19, during Walmart’s 6th annual Open Call event, these eager entrepreneurs will meet face-to-face with buyers looking for new U.S.-manufactured products for store shelves and Walmart.com.
The companies expected to attend this year’s event represent a broad geography, including 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and Australia. Collectively, their impact on the U.S. manufacturing sector can be felt across the country as they are manufacturing their products in 44 different states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Of the states represented at this year’s event, California, Florida and Texas have the highest representation of locally headquartered companies.
“There’s nothing quite like Open Call and the buzz in the building when our halls are filled with entrepreneurs aspiring to take their business to the next level,” said Cindi Marsiglio, Walmart vice president for Merchandising Services and U.S. Manufacturing. “In 2013, Walmart made a commitment to help boost job creation and U.S. manufacturing through buying an additional $250 billion in products supporting American jobs by 2023. Our annual Open Call is one way we continue to invest in this commitment while discovering new items that fulfill the needs of our customers. We have a very strong pool of supplier-hopefuls this year and our buyers can’t wait to hear their pitches.”
From pet supplies and power tools to sporting goods and sweet snacks, this year’s variety of new, innovative products represents a broad range of categories. With some companies pitching multiple products, more than 600 meetings have been scheduled with Walmart buyers.
In addition to pitch meetings, the event will provide valuable supplier information, offer networking opportunities and inspire attendees with success stories from past Open Call events. One of this year’s special guest speakers is Redhead Wine CEO Marisa Sergi – an Open Call attendee from 2017 whose red blends and rosés can now be found in Walmart stores across the country.
Walmart customers and fans of supplier-hopefuls can wish local businesses luck on their journey to Open Call by joining conversations on social channels using #WalmartOpenCall.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 275 million customers and members visit our more than 11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of $514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.
