Heartland Summit kicks off with community events in Bentonville

Bentonville think tank Heartland Forward’s flagship event kicks off next week. The two-day Heartland Summit (May 11-12) is invitation-only, but organizers also plan two community events to bring the conversations to the broader public. 

On May 11, the public is invited to a free screening and open discussion of the HBO documentary “Our Towns.” Directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan, “Our Towns” reflects on the rise of civic and economic reinvention and how it transforms small cities and towns across the nation. 

The event is at 3 p.m. at The Momentary in Bentonville. The screening is free with advance registration at this link.

On May 12, the public is invited to a concert featuring two-time Grammy award-winning string band Old Crow Medicine Show and country singer/songwriter Brittney Spencer.

Gates open at 6 p.m. The concert is part of the Momentary’s Live on the Green Concert Series on the Coca-Cola Stage. 

Tickets range from $20 to $150 and can be purchased online or at (479) 657-2335.

The first Heartland Summit was held in 2018. According to the event’s website, the goal is to help change the narrative about the middle of the country and kick-start economic growth.

“We showcase the exciting innovation happening between the coasts, spark frank conversations about the challenges the region is facing and build networks to sustain economic growth and power problem solving across the country,” Heartland Forward said. “By bringing together leading thinkers, innovators and investors, we create powerful networks to forge paths of progress and turn great ideas into action.”

Heartland Forward is the first U.S. think tank focused exclusively on the economic situation of the Heartland region. It is spearheaded by members of the Walton family and led by former Walton Fellow and Milken Institute Chief Research Officer Ross DeVol.