ROGERS, Ark. - The Fourth Annual Unity Conference was recently held at Embassy Suites in Rogers. The conference offers professional development, networking opportunities, a corporate showcase, and inspiring speakers aimed at driving career readiness and cultivating student success.

Over 300 attended the 2024 Unity Conference just four years after the inaugural conference had 10 attendees in 2021. John Gaiters, a University of Arkansas alum, founded the conference and due to its success, Unity is now operating in Los Angeles and will expand to New York City and the United Kingdom.

"Renowned media executive Ed Wilson helped us expand to Los Angeles. Bob Sauerberg opened the door to New York City, and Bob Nash—in partnership with Soho House & Co.—will help us reach the United Kingdom," said Gaiters. "Ed, Sauerberg, and Nash are some of God's greatest humans, and every leader needs mentors like them."

John Gaiters and Ed Wilson

This year's theme was Grow Your Circle and was the first to feature a job fair. Fifteen companies were represented at the fair and over 120 students and prospective job seekers attended. Some were able to secure employment at the event, accepting job offers from Riceland Foods, A&E Television Network and Sam's Club.

Aiming to bridge the gap between underrepresented students and the corporate landscape, the conference serves to educate fortune 100 leaders from various backgrounds on inclusion and to connect and provide networking opportunities, career advice and employment opportunities. The main objective is to bring employers and job seekers together and help create a sense of belonging.

"In today's era, what's imperative is unity—genuine, authentic unity that fosters understanding and collaboration," said Gaiters, who is also the founder of Unity Brands Management. "That's precisely our mission at the conference—to cultivate genuine connections and mutual compassion. I often emphasize that the most valuable investment isn't in stocks or bonds, but rather in the capacity to sow seeds of positive change in the human heart."

This year's keynote speaker was Walmart Executive Vice President and Sam M. Walton College of Business alum Silvia Kawas. Janis F. Kearney, a graduate of Fulbright College and founder of the Celebrate! Maya Project, led a discussion on how companies can create a talent pipeline leading to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Retired Walmart executive Kelvin Buncum and Walmart Senior Vice President of operations Ivy Barney participated on a panel of industry leaders including sponsors P&G and Mattel. The panel discussed how executives can establish programs that open the door for diverse talent.

The Unity Conference has a dynamic board of advisors that includes Kelvin Buncum, Anne Reynolds-Robertson, Hank Broyles, former White House personnel director Bob Nash, and former Walton College dean Matt Waller. Also on the board are Reddit chairman Bob Sauerberg and Dreamcatcher Media founder Ed Wilson, both U of A alums.

"I am so grateful to all of my advisors who genuinely want to see young people succeed," added Gaiters.

Event sponsors included Walmart, P&G, General Mills, Netflix, VML Commerce, ArcBest, Acorn, Embassy Suites, EY, bigQUEST, and the University of Arkansas Division of University Advancement.

About University Advancement: University Advancement advances the mission of the University of Arkansas by raising private gift support from alumni, friends, parents, foundations, corporations, and other institutional supporters. Working in philanthropic partnership with academic leaders and volunteers, Advancement team members are determined to advance the people, work, and impact of the greater whole at the University of Arkansas.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.

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