The World Trade Center Arkansas is a sponsor of the 2018 Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Festival, which will take place from Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22-23, on the Fayetteville Square.

The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce partnered with Univision Arkansas and other community leaders to launch the NWA Hispanic Heritage Festival in 2013 in keeping with the mission of the Chamber of Commerce to facilitate positive community interaction to enhance quality of life and continue economic development.

"Building relationships is a key component to fulfilling our mission at the World Trade Center to grow trade," said Melvin Torres, director of Western Hemisphere trade at the World Trade Center Arkansas. "Experiencing and understanding another's culture is a strong foundation for building these lasting relationships that benefit everyone in a globalized world."

An Integral Part of Arkansas

The purpose of the festival is to "provide a unique opportunity for accessing the arts, culture and recreation of Hispanic and Latino Arkansans and celebrate the many contributions and history of this population base," according to the Fayetteville Chamber and the festival websites.

"The Hispanic community is an integral part of Arkansas and is growing every year," Torres said. "As an organization that provides services to this population, we always have great interest to assist and support this important initiative."

"This is Northwest Arkansas' fastest growing and second largest demographic, more than doubling in both Benton and Washington Counties over the last decade to more than 30,000 residents each respectively."

The Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Festival helps the community kick-off National Hispanic Heritage month that runs from mid-September to mid-October annually. A variety of educational and entertainment offerings, including: arts and crafts, a beauty pageant, a children's area, cooking and dance contests and lessons, exhibitors and vendors, a health fair and live musical performances from local and regionally renowned artists are offered this month.

Proceeds to Be Reinvested

All of the net proceeds generated by the festival will stay in Northwest Arkansas. Funds will be reinvested in Hispanic and Latino community education efforts and used to support future festivals, further building upon Northwest Arkansas's reputation for acceptance, diversity and hospitality.

More information about the Festival can be found on the Fayetteville Chamber website or the Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Festival website.

The mission of the World Trade Center Arkansas is to grow trade and increase Arkansas exports by connecting Arkansas businesses to the world through international trade services and providing students an enhanced educational experience in global commerce. The Center fulfills the University of Arkansas' land grant mission to serve the state as a resource and a catalyst. For more information and valuable updates, please follow the Center on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the World Trade Center Arkansas newsletter.