3 Benefits of the Annual Walmart Shareholders' meeting

In 1970, Sam Walton held the first ever Walmart Shareholders' Meeting with 5 others in a nearby coffee shop (https://www.walmartworld.com/content/walmart-world/en_us/articles/2023/05/the-evolution-of-shareholders-meeting.html). 54 years later, this event now hosts thousands of shareholders from across the country to Bentonville, AR. This meeting slowly evolved into a week of events and festivities, hosted in appreciation for efforts these shareholders put into the Walmart company on a daily basis. This annual effort is rich in company history and clearly conveys the heritage of the Walmart Company that connects each of these individuals.

As a Field Sales Intern for the Hershey Company, I was given the opportunity to join in welcoming these shareholders to the Northwest Arkansas area, and experience firsthand the effects of this celebration. Included below are three primary effects that I have taken away from this past week.

Promotion of their internal culture.

Throughout this past week, I have been able to see the prioritization of the celebration of associates across all levels of Walmart. This is a celebration between Global Vice Presidents to Store Managers to local associates. This experience begins as soon as you walk into several local stores through an intentional replica of Walton's 5 & 10, a reminder of the company's young beginnings. This sense of heritage and culture is then built upon as associates participate in the Walmart chant, in their native languages, unified together. Associates are then guided on a store walk of numerous local storefronts, several being the longest serving of this global company.

To further continue the promotion of internal unity, associates travel to Northwest Arkansas with unique enamel pins representing their home countries. As they meet and engage with associates from other countries, they are encouraged to trade these pins. This simple activity is truly the highlight of the store walks for some associates, as I was able to quickly see the multitude of smiles light up these locations.

Strengthening of Vendor/ Retailer Relationships.

I was then given a closer look into the impact of the Walmart Shareholders’ Week through the perspective of a Walmart partner. Walmart eagerly welcomes vendors to join alongside them in welcoming these associates, and showcasing the appreciation that we have for their work. Vendors would all agree that the efforts of these associates globally, firsthand impact the success of their products, so it is a gift to be able to extend our gratitude as well. As an intern for the Hershey Company, we were able to set up tables with both sweet and salty staples, invite associates to play games, as well as host both Kiss and Cuppie to join in on the fun of Shareholders’ week. I personally loved getting to meet the kind representatives from Hiland Dairy and RedBull and experience this alongside them. We shared numerous laughs, smiles, and reflection of the great impact of this week of events.

Highlights the opportunities within northwest Arkansas.

The Walton family has undoubtedly poured into the northwest Arkansas area through promotion of the mountain biking leisure to the appreciation of fine art at Crystal Bridges to the cultivation of knowledge within the Sam Walton College of Business. The Walmart Shareholders’ Week is yet another unique opportunity that the Walton family and The Walmart Company has gifted this area and economy. People of the area eagerly await the performers, actors, and celebrities that join in on this celebration. As a Fayetteville local, I can attest to the numerous conversations held about the event and the excitement it draws to the area. This event further defies the mild perceptions of northwest Arkansas, and highlights the innovation, excellence, and identity of this growing region.