Looking to the Future at Top of Virginia Regional Chamber’s Economic Summit

The Valley Today

In this episode, host Janet Michael is joined by Kaleigh Fincham, the Director of Events for the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, and Scott Harvard, the CEO of First Bank. Together, they discuss the upcoming Economic Summit hosted by the Chamber on November 14, 2024, from 8:30am - 12pm at Shenandoah University.

Scott Harvard discusses the success of the Economic Summit over the past two years and highlights the importance of the event for local businesses. He explains how the summit helps local businesses plan for the upcoming year by providing insights into the current state of the economy and future projections. Scott also emphasizes the inclusion of high-profile economists and local business panelists to provide a comprehensive view of the economic landscape.

Janet and Scott address the misconception that the summit is only for large businesses, highlighting that the event offers valuable insights for small businesses as well. Scott elaborates on the challenges faced by businesses of all sizes, particularly in terms of workforce retention and benefits costs post-COVID.

The conversation then shifts to the event’s keynote and featured speakers. Scott introduces Robert McNab from Old Dominion University, who will provide an overview of Virginia’s economy, and Renee Haltom from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, who will offer insights into current economic conditions and future forecasts.

Additionally, the conversation touches on the value of networking opportunities at the summit and the involvement of students from local universities & high schools. Kaleigh explains the various ways businesses can participate, including purchasing exhibitor tables to expand their reach and engage directly with potential customers.

Towards the end, Scott and Janet delve into the local panelists who will be featured at the summit, including leaders from various industries who will share their experiences and insights. They stress the importance of understanding local economic conditions and the benefits of peer-to-peer learning.

Kaleigh provides details on how to purchase tickets and exhibitor tables for the summit, emphasizing that the event is open to the public and not limited to Chamber members. Learn more about the event on the chamber's website: https://www.regionalchamber.biz/the-economic-summit/