October 1, 2024
9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
William & Mary Alumni House
Williamsburg

I-64 Innovation Corridor:

America’s Leading
Space, Sea, and Digital Port

Join us at Convergence 2024, the annual day-long interregional gathering of representatives from the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions, sponsored by ChamberRVA, Hampton Roads Chamber, and RVA757 Connects.

At Convergence 2024, you will discover why the I-64 Innovation Corridor megaregion is at the forefront of technological advancement and economic growth. Here are some key reasons to attend:

Insights on the
Success and Future
of Our Three Ports

Gain an in-depth understanding of the I-64 Innovation Corridor’s three pivotal global gateways — space, sea, and digital ports — and hear directly from the top leaders driving these initiatives. This unique opportunity will provide valuable insights into how these gateways are shaping our megaregion's future and fostering innovation across multiple sectors. Don’t miss the chance to engage with the experts at the forefront of these transformative initiatives. Speakers for the three panels include:

Our Space Port:
· Sean Mulligan, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, The Virginia Spaceport Authority
· Aaron Kuipers, Director of Test and Launch Operations, Rocket Lab
· Dawn M. Schaible, Acting Center Director, NASA's Langley Research Center

Our Sea Port:
· Stephen Edwards, CEO and Executive Director, The Port of Virginia

Our Digital Port:
· Vince Barnett, Industry Leader for Data Centers, Strategic Projects and Lead Generation, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
· Nick Blessing, Director of Public Policy and Economic Development, QTS Data Centers
   · Tyrone Nelson, chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors
· Tad Deriso, President and CEO, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative
· Darrell Williams, President, Hampton University

State of our Megaregion

Learn about the current state of the I-64 Innovation Corridor megaregion and how our future aligns to the trends shaping tomorrow. John W. Martin, president and CEO of RVA757 Connects, will deliver an eye-opening presentation backed by research on our megaregion’s performance to date and promise for tomorrow. Understanding this data will help everyone see challenges and opportunities ahead and how this may affect businesses, organizations, and local and regional governments for the decade ahead.

CEO Perspectives

Hear from top business leaders as they share their current perspectives on the economy and discuss the importance of RVA and the 757 working closer together. Gain valuable insights from speakers including:


· Bob Blue, Chair, President and CEO, Dominion Energy
· Jennifer Boykin, President, Newport News Shipbuilding
· Tom McInerney, President and CEO, Genworth Financial

Networking with Key Leaders

Take advantage of the opportunity to mingle and network with the key players and organizations driving the success of the I-64 Innovation Corridor’s economy. Connect with industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers who are shaping the region’s economic landscape. Build valuable relationships, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations that can contribute to the ongoing growth and prosperity of the corridor and your organization.

 

Convergence 2024

When: Tuesday October 1, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Where: William & Mary Alumni House at 500 Richmond Road in Williamsburg (on the campus of William & Mary, next to Zable Stadium, at the corner of Richmond Road and Stadium Drive).

What is Convergence: ChamberRVA, Hampton Roads Chamber, and RVA757 Connects put on this annual event to showcase important initiatives and successes in advancing the I-64 Innovation Corridor. Participants get a good overview of the key economic development assets of the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions while they foster relationships among senior leaders.

Cost: $150 includes lunch and networking reception

Radical Collaboration:
The Secret Sauce in
Building Megaregions

North Carolina's Research Triangle has been a hub of innovation for over 60 years. Hear from the president and CEO of the Raleigh Chamber as she explores how this thriving megaregion continues to grow through strategic collaboration, intentional planning, a strong cultural foundation, and other key factors driving its success.

Adrienne Cole
Raleigh Chamber
President and CEO

State of Our Megaregion

9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Our Initiatives

9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Moderator:

Gregory Gilligan
RVA757 Connects

Our Digital Port

10:45 a.m. to noon

Moderator:

Shamim Mohammad
CarMax

Our Space Port

1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Moderator:

Nneka Chiazor
Cox Communications

Our Sea Port

2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Moderator:

Nancy Grden
Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable

CEO Perspectives  

3:45 p.m. to 4:55 p.m.

Moderator:

Katherine Rowe
William & Mary

John W. Martin
RVA757 Connects

Stephen Brich
VDOT

Vince Barnett
Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Sean Mulligan
The Virginia Spaceport Authority

Stephen Edwards
The Port of Virginia

Bob Blue
Dominion Energy

DJ Stadtler
Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

Nick Blessing
QTS Data Centers

Aaron Kuipers
Rocket Lab

Ben Swift
Lovett Industrial

Jennifer Boykin
Newport News Shipbuilding

Zach Trogdon
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

Reed Nester
Tidewater Trails Alliance

Dawn M. Schaible
NASA's Langley Research Center

JP Matan
Matan Companies

Tom McInerney
Genworth Financial

Casey Sorensen
PCs for People

Darrell Williams
Hampton University

Tad Deriso
Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities

Tyrone E. Nelson
Henrico County Board of Supervisors

What is Convergence?

More than a decade ago, leaders in the Richmond (RVA) and Hampton Roads (757) regions realized that nearby localities shouldn't compete but collaborate to make great things happen for both regions.

ChamberRVA and the Hampton Roads Chamber concurred, inspiring RVA and the 757 to start working together on critical infrastructure needs and economic development efforts.

Because of the importance of this interregional work, the chambers put on an annual event called Convergence to showcase the important initiatives and success of RVA757 Connects in advancing the I-64 Innovation Corridor.

Participants get a good overview of the key economic development assets of the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions while they foster relationships among senior leaders.