Arkansas business leaders assembled at the ARTSpace on Main Street on Wednesday for the first Rural Pathways to the Global Marketplace Summit.
The city of Pine Bluff held the event in collaboration with the World Trade Center Arkansas.
The summit convened guest speakers and attendees from across Arkansas, bringing together experts in trade, agriculture, business and workforce development.
The event aimed to equip Pine Bluff and surrounding rural communities with the access, tools, partnerships and resources necessary to participate competitively in the global marketplace.
This event aligns with Mayor Vivian Flowers’ vision to position Pine Bluff as a hub of economic innovation, rural revitalization and international opportunity, according to a news release.
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The day began with a networking breakfast and speakers including:
Denise Thomas, CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas;
Zach Smith, Arkansas River Rice;
Nick Colclough, Highland Pellets;
Scott Lancaster, Life Plus;
Retired Col. Nate Todd, University of Arkansas Board of Trustees;
Esperanza Massana-Crane, director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, AEDC;
Richard Duda, director of the U.S. Commercial Service Little Rock Office.
Thomas was the featured speaker and outlined the global trade services offered through the World Trade Center Arkansas, including partnerships with the Export-Import Bank and the Arkansas District Export Council.
“This summit marks a new chapter for Pine Bluff as we are not only committed to growing our own economy, but also rebuilding the foundation for regional growth with southeast Arkansas’ local and state leaders through smart infrastructure, vibrant tourism, and global engagement,” said Flowers.
“Pine Bluff is uniquely positioned to leverage intermodal resources like our port, rail, interstate and airport to harness jobs, tourists and entrepreneurs on a state, national and global scale.”
Nearly 50 attendees heard about the export process, rural business development, and opportunities to scale Arkansas-made products onto the world stage.
The summit concluded with a tour at Arkansas River Rice.
“The city of Pine Bluff extends heartfelt thanks to the World Trade Center Arkansas, local partners, and all who contributed to the success of this first-of-its-kind summit,” according to the release.