November 17, 2026
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
William & Mary Alumni House
Williamsburg
Convergence 2026
Convergence 2026 is the annual day-long interregional gathering of representatives from the Metro Richmond and Hampton Roads regions,
sponsored by RVA757 Connects, ChamberRVA, and the Hampton Roads Chamber.
When: Tuesday November 17, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 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: At Convergence 2026, you'll discover how the I-64 Innovation Corridor megaregion is navigating a rapidly shifting economic landscape — from energy constraints to a fast-evolving digital infrastructure environment — to stay at the forefront of competitiveness and growth.
Why attend: Join more than 200 leaders from business, government, education, and the nonprofit sectors who will gather for a full day of candid conversation, timely insight, and regional collaboration.
Cost: $150 per person includes lunch and breakfast networking.
Register:
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Scenes from Convergence 2025.
What is Convergence?
RVA757 Connects, ChamberRVA, and the Hampton Roads Chamber put on this annual event to showcase important initiatives and successes in advancing the I-64 Innovation Corridor.
More than a decade ago, leaders in the Richmond region (RVA) and Hampton Roads (757) 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.
Because of the importance of this interregional work, RVA757 Connects along with 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.
Why Attend Convergence 2026
Join more than 200 of the most influential leaders from business, government, education, and the nonprofit sector — spanning both Metro Richmond and Hampton Roads — who will gather in one place, for one day, to align on what it takes for the I-64 Innovation Corridor to compete and win.
You'll hear directly from the people shaping the megaregion's future. This year's agenda includes economic development leaders from across the corridor and a candid panel on how the world has changed for growing economies.
You will hear what is actually driving Virginia's economic headwinds, how they are reshaping the state's economy and its reputation, and what we are doing to meet them head-on.
Even though Virginia just hit No. 3 in CNBC's Top States for Business, the numbers underneath tell another story. Since 2014, Virginia has trailed every Southeastern state in population, employment, and GDP growth. Now new headwinds are arriving from Washington, from the economy, and from inside the Commonwealth itself.
The conversations at Convergence are candid, not scripted. Convergence isn't a series of canned keynotes — it's built around real dialogue: fireside chats, panel discussions, and direct Q&A with the people actually building the megaregion's infrastructure, from passenger rail to digital connectivity to energy.
Every session is designed to answer three questions: what's at stake, where things stand right now, and what you and your organization can do to help move it forward.
It's also the best networking day of the year for regional leaders — and a chance to celebrate the organizations and individuals driving innovation, infrastructure, collaboration, and impact across the Metro Richmond and Hampton Roads megaregion.
Join us in Williamsburg to see the full picture of how Virginia and our megaregion grows. Come to learn. Leave ready to plug in where you can make a difference.
Agenda Highlights
How Virginia and the World Has Changed for Growing Economies
A candid look at the new rules of economic development
Regional Economic Development Plans
Regional economic development leaders share what's new in their strategies and how you can help.
I-64 Innovation Corridor Awards
Recognizing the organizations and individuals driving innovation, infrastructure, collaboration, and impact across the megaregion.
Lessons from the Cascadia Megaregion
A look at how the Pacific Northwest megaregion is building for its future — and what it means for our own ambitions.
Digital Infrastructure Update
Regional experts break down the state of broadband, connectivity, and digital access across the corridor.
Energy Panel: Where We're Headed and How You Can Help
Leaders from Dominion Energy, Virginia Natural Gas, and Columbia Gas of Virginia tackle the challenge of powering our future growth.
Infrastructure Projects Updates
The latest on multi-use trails, passenger rail, and the I-64/HRBT expansion — the projects physically connecting our megaregion's future.
Where Virginia is headed
As Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Carrrie H. Chenery brings two decades of experience in economic development, public policy, and government relations, having led major economic development initiatives across the Commonwealth and helped attract hundreds of millions of dollars in capital investment and thousands of new jobs.
Carrie H. Chenery
Virginia Secretary of
Commerce and Trade
How the World Has Changed Related to Growing Economies:
This session unpacks the new table stakes for economic development — and why now is the moment for practitioners to rally behind state and regional leadership to keep Virginia competitive.
8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Moderator:
John W. Martin
RVA757 Connects
Showcasing Regional Economic Development Plans
Hear directly from leaders of Virginia's regional economic development alliances — the Greater Richmond Partnership, Hampton Roads Alliance, and Virginia’s Gateway Region — on their latest strategies and how the broader economic development community can support their work.
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Moderator:
The Energy Landscape: Where we are headed and how we need your help
With energy availability a big factor in Virginia's economic competitiveness, top leaders from Dominion Energy, Virginia Natural Gas, and Columbia Gas of Virginia join this panel to explain where the state's energy landscape is headed — and what business leaders need to do to help meet the moment.
11 a.m. to Noon
Moderator:
Mark Christie
W&M’s Center for Energy Law & Policy
Chris Lloyd
McGuireWoods Consulting
Jennifer Wakefield
Greater Richmond Partnership
Emil Avram
Dominion Energy
Greg Twitt
Globalinx
Todd Haymore
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Doug Smith
Hampton Roads Alliance
Shannon O. Pierce
Virginia Natural Gas
Digital Infrastructure: Strategic Update on our Global Internet Hub Vision 2035
From fiber networks to digital equity, this panel explore the latest developments in Virginia's digital infrastructure — and what it will take to keep the Commonwealth connected and competitive.
Susan Parriott PCs for People
Updates on I-64 Innovation Corridor Infrastructure Projects:
Get the latest on the infrastructure projects reshaping Virginia's I-64 Innovation Corridor — from new multi-use trails and passenger rail expansion to the major highway and bridge-tunnel work redefining how the region moves and grows..
Brantley Tyndall
Bike Walk RVA
Robert Crum
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Convergence 2026 Materials
DJ Stadtler
Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
Jennifer Montague
Columbia Gas of Virginia
Lucy Travers
Virginia Department of Transportation
Ryan Banas
Virginia Department of Transportation
Keith Boswell
Virginia’s Gateway Region
Convergence 2026 Sponsors
