SWVA Economic Forum
Tenth Annual SWVA Economic Forum
Thursday, May 22, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Each year, the Forum engages participants through a shared vision of regional collaboration, growth and innovation. It has become a central gathering place to discuss new ideas and synergies around the future of Southwest Virginia and Central Appalachia.
View speaker and panelist bios
Agenda
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Event Check-In
Opening Welcome
Donna Henry, Ph.D., Chancellor, UVA Wise
Meet the Emcee
Josh Mancuso, Actor, Comedian & Filmmaker
State of the Region
Christine Chmura, Ph.D., Chmura Economics & Analytics
Regional Demographics and Population Trends
Hamilton Lombard, UVA Weldon Cooper Center
Morning Keynote
Michelle Rozen, Ph.D., Researcher & Expert in Change Psychology
Panel Discussion
- Juan Pablo Segura, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade
- Glenn Davis, Director of the Virginia Department of Energy
- Bryan Horn, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
- Rita McClenny, Director of the Virginia Tourism Corporation
Lunch
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
- Community Development & Main Street Revitalization
- Debut of the Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard, presented by the Virginia Rural Center
- Regional Resiliency Planning
- Tourism
- Energy
- Agriculture
3:00–5:00 p.m.
Regional Housing Symposium
This optional event following the Forum will convene policymakers, developers, and community leaders for a deep dive into regional housing challenges and opportunities. You can register using the same link for Forum registration. The Symposium ticket will be available as a ticket add-on and is free of cost. Additionally, you can register for the Symposium without registering for the Forum.
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
If you or your organization is interested in becoming an event sponsor, please contact Linda Bockus (lbockus@uvawise.edu) for additional details.
Additional Event Details
Needing directions to the event venue?
The Southwest Virginia Economic Forum will be held at UVA Wise’s David J. Prior Convocation Center. The address is 437 Stadium Drive, Wise, VA 24293. See the campus map for venue location and event parking (circled in yellow).
Looking for event lodging?
The Inn at Wise
100 E Main Street, Wise, VA 24293
276-321-7600
Best Western
124 Woodland Drive SW, Wise, VA 24293
276-328-3500
Hampton Inn Norton
1051 Park Ave SW, Norton, VA 24219
276-437-0305
Western Front
3025 4th Avenue, St. Paul, VA 24283
276-738-3040