November 18, 2025
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
William & Mary Alumni House
Williamsburg

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Convergence 2025

Join us at Convergence 2025, the annual day-long interregional gathering of representatives from the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions,
sponsored by RVA757 Connects, ChamberRVA, and the Hampton Roads Chamber.

When: Tuesday November 18, 2025, 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 2025, you will discover why the I-64 Innovation Corridor megaregion is at the forefront of technological advancement and economic growth.

Why attend: Participants get a good overview of the key economic development assets of the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions while fostering relationships among senior leaders.

Cost: $150 per person includes lunch and breakfast networking (Please read disclaimer below.)

Please Note: The registration payment form is hosted on the Zeffy platform, which supports nonprofits by offering free transaction processing. While Zeffy may prompt you to add a voluntary contribution to support its platform, this donation is entirely optional. If you prefer not to contribute, simply select “Other” under the donation options and enter “$0.”


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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 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.

Get Insights
on How the I-64 Innovation Corridor
Is Where the World Stores, Powers, and Secures Data

At Convergence 2025, 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:

Four important sessions

Powering Data: Our Evolving Energy Landscape
Building on the Importance of Traditional Power Sources with Groundbreaking Innovations: Get the latest on transformative projects like the world’s
first grid-scale fusion power plant planned for Chesterfield County, Dominion Energy’s offshore wind farm, and more — while understanding how
traditional energy sources remain vital to our future.

Connecting Data: Digital Infrastructure Here and Beyond  
Get an update into the complex and fast-evolving world of digital infrastructure, from the physical presence of data centers to the unseen
networks of fiber, power, and cloud services that power today’s economy.

Securing Data: Our Megaregion As A U.S. Cyber Hub  
         
Building a cyber-ready megaregion with talent, infrastructure, and coordination in the I-64 Innovation Corridor: This panel explores how the I-64
Innovation Corridor can accelerate its emergence as a nationally recognized cybersecurity hub by focusing on three pillars: workforce
development, digital infrastructure, and strategic coordination

Ensuring Data Benefits All: A Digital Inclusion Model Right Here
Get an update on PCs for People’s operations in the megaregion. PCs for People is the nation’s leading nonprofit computer refurbisher.

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.

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.

Keynote Video

The Florida Formula:
Building a Megaregion that Powers Innovation and Community

Florida High Tech Corridor is an organization serving a 23-county region anchored by three of the country’s largest research institutions:

· University of Central Florida (UCF);
· University of South Florida (USF) and;
· University of Florida (UF).

The Corridor’s mission is to converge and catalyze the capacity of high tech, innovation, and bright minds to generate a global ripple effect that advances the lives of people in the communities it serves.

Paul A. Sohl
CEO
Florida High Tech Corridor


Powering Data: Our Evolving Energy Landscape:
Building on the Importance of Traditional Power Sources with Groundbreaking Innovations

Get the latest on transformative projects like the world’s first grid-scale fusion power plant planned for Chesterfield County, Dominion’s offshore wind farm, and more — while understanding how traditional energy sources remain vital to our future.

8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Moderator:

Adam Sledd
Dominion Energy Innovation Center

Opening session
Powering Data Session Video

Connecting Data: Digital Infrastructure Here and Beyond

Get an update into the complex and fast-evolving world of digital infrastructure, from the physical presence of data centers to the unseen networks of fiber and cloud services and subsea cables that power today’s economy.

10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Moderator:

Vinay Nagpal
InterGlobix

Session Video

Securing Data: Our Megaregion As A U.S. Cyber Hub:
Talent, Infrastructure, and Coordination in the I-64 Innovation Corridor

This panel explores how the I-64 Innovation Corridor can accelerate its emergence as a nationally recognized cybersecurity hub by focusing on three pillars: workforce development, digital infrastructure, and strategic coordination.

11 a.m. to Noon

Moderator:


Glenn Ballard
Dragonfli Group

Session Video
Session Video
Session Video

Rick Needham Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Megaregion leap-frog strategy

Douglas Schmidt
William & Mary


Luiz DaSilva
Commonwealth Cyber Initiative

Chrysoula Malogianni
Old Dominion
University

Emil Avram
Dominion Energy

Hunter Newby
Newby Ventures

Speakers Bios

Jason Ancarrow
CarMax

Morgan Whayland
Virginia Natural Gas

April Wade
Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium


PowerPoint Slides: Afternoon sessions

Transforming Data Through AI: An AI-Ready Megaregion


Ensuring Data Benefits All: A Digital Inclusion Model Right Here

Get an update on PCs for People’s operations in the megaregion. PCs for People is the nation’s leading nonprofit computer refurbisher.

Casey Sorensen
PCs for People

Convergence 2025 Materials

Will Robinson
Federal Reserve System

Agenda
PowerPoint Slides: Morning sessions

Erick Contag SubOptic

Agenda Highlights

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.    Networking and Registration (with coffee, tea, and baked breakfast goodies)

8:30 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.    Welcome

8:40 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.     I-64 Innovation Corridor’s Leap-Frog Strategy

8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.    Powering Data: Our Evolving Energy Landscape

9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.    Break

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.   Connecting Data: Digital Infrastructure Here and Beyond

11:00 a.m. – Noon          Securing Data: Our Megaregion As A U.S. Cyber Hub

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.     Buffet Lunch, Networking, and Table Talk

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.    Keynote Speaker – Paul Sohl, CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor

2:45 p.m. - 3:15 pm. Transforming Data Through AI: An AI-Ready Megaregion  

3:15 p.m. - 3:30 pm. Ensuring Data Benefits All: A Digital Inclusion Model Right Here PCs for People

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.    Wrap Up and Final Remarks

Convergence 2025 Sponsors