Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, but like many communities, it faces challenges in connecting local food systems with long-term economic growth. The launch of the Market Center of the Ozarks set out to change that.

Celebrated in May 2025, the event introduced the center as Northwest Arkansas’s newest regional food hub—a one-of-a-kind facility supporting farmers, food entrepreneurs and nonprofits through processing, storage and distribution infrastructure designed to strengthen the local food economy.

Working alongside partners from the Walton Family Foundation, Northwest Arkansas Food Systems, Spring Creek Food Hub and AFIC@MCO, our team led event planning, messaging and media relations to help the public understand the center’s mission and impact.

The result?

• 300+ attendees

• 62 media placements

• 16.7 million impressions

The event successfully translated a complex infrastructure project into a compelling, community-driven story — positioning the Market Center of the Ozarks as a hub for innovation, agriculture and economic development.

This work earned both a category win and the Bob Sells Best in Show Award at the Arkansas PRSA PRISM Awards.