BENTONVILLE --The Walmart Museum is simplifying its activities during Shareholders' Week to give visiting employees more time to explore the museum, said Alan Dranow, Walmart Heritage Group senior director.
International employees began arriving Sunday in Northwest Arkansas. Group tours will be at the museum on the downtown square today through Thursday.
Dranow expects 6,000 people to visit the museum during the three days, and that's not counting those from the general public.
Visitors can look at items at the Walton 5&10 and the Spark Cafe, but won't be able to buy anything to help move people through more quickly, he said.
Larger groups on fewer buses will be given more time to experience the museum than in past years, Dranow said.
There will be fewer giveaways on the sidewalk and more Northwest Arkansas employees to interact and answer visiting employees' questions. The idea is to simplify offerings so employees will have more time to experience the museum and its exhibits, Dranow said.
A special exhibit was installed last week. "A Global Purpose" looks at the 28 countries Wal-Mart operates in. It will be displayed until the end of June.
"We figured since associates are coming in from all over the world and all over the country, let's do one on global purpose and share a little bit about everybody's country," Dranow said.
The museum started to display special exhibits last year.
"Shareholders (week) brings an awareness (of Bentonville) to people who do not normally have the opportunity to come here," said Kalene Griffith, Visit Bentonville president and CEO.
Some may be inspired to return with friends or family, she said.
The week gives great exposure to Bentonville and the region, Griffith added.
The annual shareholders' meeting is Friday at the University of Arkansas' Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
New restaurants and amenities are available each year for visitors as the region continues to grow, Griffith said.
One of those is the Neighborhood Market in Midtown Center on the downtown square, a block north of the Walmart Museum.
The city always looks forward to having Wal-Mart employees from across the country and around the world come to town during Shareholders' Week, Mayor Bob McCaslin said.
Police and Fire department officials have had a series of meetings with Wal-Mart officials to coordinate public safety protocols as the week will bring several thousand people to the city, he said.
"We believe everything is in place to enjoy another safe, no-incident event," he said.
NW News on 05/31/2016