FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas World Trade Center will celebrate a grand opening of its Rogers headquarters at noon Friday, April 13. Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson and U.S. Congressman John Boozman will be special guests, along with University of Arkansas officials; Arkansas business, government and community leaders; and a delegation of ambassadors from Central America and the Dominican Republic.

The event will begin with a tour of the center at noon, followed by an opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Trade Center President and CEO Dan Hendrix will welcome the guests and speak briefly about the mission of the Arkansas World Trade Center. Chancellor John White and Rep. Boozman will provide remarks with keynote remarks from Sampson.

A buffet reception will follow, with additional tours of the building. The open house will conclude at 2 p.m.

The Arkansas World Trade Center was established in September 2006 following an agreement between the University of Arkansas and the World Trade Centers Association. The center moved into offices Jan. 15, 2007.  Dan Hendrix said there was a reason for delaying the grand opening.

“We wanted to wait to hold this landmark event at a time when a high official from the U.S. Department of Commerce and Congressman Boozman could both join us,” Hendrix explained. “As it happens we have the added bonus that the ambassadors from Central America and the Dominican Republic are visiting Arkansas, which gives us a great opportunity to show what the Arkansas World Trade Center is doing to expand global commerce for our state businesses.”

The members of the delegation arrive in Northwest Arkansas Thursday, April 12, as guests of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.  At noon the Arkansas World Trade Center will host a luncheon for the delegation members, Boozman and Northwest Arkansas community leaders.

“This is exactly the kind of opportunity the Arkansas World Trade Center can create,” said Hendrix. “By bringing Arkansas business and community leaders in direct contact with high level officials from Central America we can expand the exchange of ideas that make it possible for people to do business together.”

Following the luncheon the delegation will take part in an Agricultural Producers Roundtable meeting, hosted by the Arkansas Farm Bureau and Boozman. The purpose of the meeting is to explore and expand export opportunities in Central America and the Dominican Republic for Arkansas farm products.

Tyson Foods will host a breakfast and tour of the new Discovery Center on Friday morning.

Following the center's grand opening, the members of the delegation will fly to Little Rock, where they will meet with Gov. Mike Beebe and tour the Clinton Presidential Library before returning to Washington, D.C.