FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Several organizations at the University of Arkansas have joined together to bring the Disney Institute’s renowned professional development program to Northwest Arkansas.

The Center for Management and Executive Education in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, the School of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach, and the Office of Human Resources are sponsoring the full-day program. “The Disney Institute Keys to Excellence” will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development on the University of Arkansas campus. For more information and to register, call (888) 824-3933 or (479) 575-2856 or go to http://execed.uark.edu

“This full-day event will give area business professionals a chance to discover the business behind the Disney magic,” said Théres Stiefer, director of the Center for Management and Executive Education. “Professional development programs at Walt Disney Resort have been extremely popular. Now we are able to offer this program in Arkansas.

Debbie McLoud, UA director of employee development, said, “Participants will discover Disney success stories and learn about management philosophies and behind-the-scenes operations that have made the Walt Disney World Resort a benchmark for businesses around the world.”

“The Keys to Excellence” program showcases philosophies and strategies that have made the Walt Disney World Resort a success — ideas that are easily adaptable to other organizations. The sessions take people inside the Disney operation, showcasing on-stage and behind-the-scenes locations so attendees see firsthand how it all happens.

The program comprises four 90-minute sessions, covering leadership, management, service and loyalty # all presented through the Disney style. Participants will discover how leadership has been the catalyst at Disney to drive employee/customer satisfaction and bottom-line results; understand the importance of integrating corporate culture into the selection, training and care of employees; explore world-renowned Disney principles of service excellence; and learn the key practices and principles in building and sustaining loyalty that have made Disney a trusted and revered brand around the world for more than 75 years.

Nancy Hairston, a director in the School for Continuing Education, said, “This is a rare opportunity to get an inside look at how Disney has been so successful. The Center for Management and Executive Education, Continuing Education and Human Resources are very excited to be able to offer this program to the business community.”

Registration and tuition fees for the program are $399 per person for the day and include course materials.