From culture and community to courage and care, the 2025 Sam’s Club Meeting was all about what sets this team apart.
Drums pounded. Energy soared. And Sam’s Club associates brought the noise — and the heart — to kick off the 2025 Sam’s Club Meeting at Associates Week.
Thanks to an electrifying set from The Drum Cafe, the entire arena got in rhythm, literally. Associates followed the lead drummer’s cues, each with their own djembe drum in hand, turning a massive crowd into one united beat.
“You’re making music, you’re working together,” said Dale Monnin from The Drum Cafe. “This is teamwork. This is Sam’s.”
It was a powerful way to open the show, and a perfect reminder of what our team can do when we move as one.
Bringing the magic
After the drumming stopped, Sam’s Club President and CEO Chris Nicholas (pictured below) stepped on stage to reflect on what makes weeks like this one so meaningful.
“We bring joy, we create opportunity, we create a home,” he said, adding, “I am confident we can be the world’s best club retailer.”
That confidence comes from associates like Lanera Powers, who’s been helping members at Club 8116 in Jacksonville, Florida, for 25 years. Members ask for her by name, and she earns their trust by offering smart, personal service and showing how our tech makes shopping faster and easier.
And associates like Alex Garcia, who traveled more than 500 miles from his home club, Club 8126, in Brownsville, Texas, to pitch in behind the scenes at our new Grapevine location, spending weeks helping the team get opening-day ready.
Rising to the moment
Chris shared that Sam’s Club is growing fast, opening new clubs and thinking big. Keeping that momentum will take speed, grit and a healthy dose of imagination. But the foundation, he said, is already in place: a strong culture, a clear purpose and associates who care.
And at Club 6314 in Elyria, Ohio, Ty’Ajah Henderson is one of them. A merchandising team lead and an AAU track coach in her community, Ty’Ajah introduced Chief Merchant Julie Barber (pictured above) to the stage with a big message:
“You’re standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in the game.”
Julie talked about bold ambition, shelf curation with purpose and the relentless focus it takes to lead the industry and win.
A big heart for her community
For Gerry Butcher, merchandising compliance manager at Club 4750 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, being part of something big means giving back. She’s spent nearly two decades volunteering with a local youth baseball program — making sure every kid who wants to play, can.
Gerry was honored with the Helen R. Walton Excellence in Community Leadership Award, presented by EVP and End-to-End Chief Operating Officer Tom Ward (pictured above).
“If you want to be part of something big,” said Gerry, “Sam’s Club is the place to be.”
Courage in the moment
Seventeen-year-old parking lot associate Max Miranda (pictured above) earned a standing ovation after being recognized for his heroic actions at Club 6387 in Pinellas Park, Florida. When a member accidentally drove into a nearby pond, Max didn’t hesitate — he ran to help and calmly guided her to safety.
EVP and Chief Experience Officer Diana Marshall led a standing ovation for Max and shared why experience is central to the Sam’s Club strategy.
“We may be the only retailer with a dedicated Experience team,” she said. “Because experience is how we build loyalty and deliver on our promise.”
Culture that wins
To dive deeper into that idea, Diana welcomed culture expert and former Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall to the stage (pictured below).
“Culture starts with values — what you stand for, what you stand on,” Cynt shared. She also reminded associates that experience is different from an event. “It’s how a member feels. It’s what makes them want to come back.”
Because when leaders build a culture based on strong values, the whole team wins.
From powerful drumbeats to powerful moments, the 2025 Sam’s Club Meeting showed us what happens when associates bring their whole hearts to the game. Sam’s Club is growing. And with this team, it’s game on.
There’s more Associates Week excitement on the way, so follow along all week on Workvivo and Walmart World social accounts — and don’t forget to follow #WMT2025!
