The 2023 call was special. This year’s event, Walmart’s 10th Open Call, commemorates 10 years of opportunities for small businesses to become Walmart suppliers, resulting in job creation and manufacturing growth in communities across the United States. Open Call 2023 was also held during Manufacturing Month, when the United States celebrates manufacturers and the manufacturing workforce.
“It was great to have more than 700 suppliers from all 50 states gather in Bentonville this week for our 10th open call,” said Jason Fremstad, senior vice president of supplier development for Walmart’s sourcing division. he said. “Already, more than two-thirds of Walmart’s annual product spending is on products manufactured, grown, and assembled in the United States. With this open call, Walmart is looking to further this investment.”
When the finalists weren’t pitching, they attended breakout sessions that included sessions with Walmart executives to learn about pitching best practices and the resources Walmart provides to executives. Finalists also heard from speakers such as Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Farner, and television host and narrator Mike Rowe. I was able to hear the story.
On the road to open call, Walmart has embarked on another leg of its “Walmart: Made Local” trailer tour. The tour was a multi-city celebration of Manufacturing Month and the company’s 10th annual public offering event. On the way to Bentonville, the trailer stopped in Atlanta and Dallas to connect with entrepreneurs and share information about Walmart’s efforts. In Atlanta, local media, community members and suppliers attended Walmart’s event at the Russell Innovation Center of Entrepreneurship (RICE), where Walmart supports RICE as it continues to support diverse entrepreneurs. An $800,000 grant was awarded to help. In Dallas, the trailer visited the Dallas Small Business Expo and then ended the tour in Bentonville as public bidding began.
Learn more about Walmart’s commitment to American jobs.