RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – This afternoon, the 14^th Annual Virginia Economic Summit & Forum on International Trade, hosted by the Virginia Chamber Foundation and Virginia Economic Development Partnership, concluded with participation of almost 600 attendees.  

In its 14^th year, this signature conference brought together business and policy leaders to discuss the key components necessary to compete in business climate, talent development, and international trade to position Virginia for success in the global economy.

“The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is fully committed to our role in keeping Virginia among the top states for business,” said Barry DuVal, Virginia Chamber President & CEO. “In the Commonwealth, we are privileged to have the business community, General Assembly, and executive branch  working together to keep Virginia positioned for success.”

The program also included remarks from federal and state government leaders including United States Senator Tim Kaine, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Jason El Koubi.

“Virginia’s workers and business community are second to none, and we’ve made so much progress together to recover from the pandemic,” said United States Senator Tim Kaine. “Today’s gathering was a good opportunity to discuss how we can keep building on our economic recovery, including by making our workforce even stronger. That’s why I will continue championing my JOBS Act to expand access to high-quality job training, my legislation to make child care more affordable, and more.”

“Virginia’s business climate depends on a regulatory and legal environment that encourages innovation, supports small businesses, and guarantees fair competition,” said Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. “Collaboration between the public and private sectors is critical to continued economic growth, which is beneficial to all Virginians.”

“In collaboration with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, state leaders, and other business and economic development partners, VEDP is building on Virginia’s tremendous progress with an innovative new economic development model that will strengthen alignment across the Commonwealth, leverage the assets of every region, and position Virginia as an economic growth leader,” said Jason El Koubi, President & CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce also presented Susan Dewey, CEO for Virginia Housing, with the Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of her 25 years of dedication to affordable housing and improving the business climate of the Commonwealth.

Additional Highlights from Conference Included:

(Listed in order of appearance)

WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS

Barry DuVal, President & CEO, Virginia Chamber of Commerce

KEYNOTE REMARKS

The Honorable Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia

Introduced by: Lindsay Winter, Head of Virginia Public Policy, Amazon

PANEL DISCUSSION—“PERSPECTIVES FROM VIRGINIA BUSINESS LEADERS ON KEY COMPONENTS TO COMPETE IN BUSINESS CLIMATE, TALENT DEVELOPMENT, AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE”

Panelists:

• Manmeet Bhatia, President & CEO, TMEIC Corporation Americas
• Mike Daniels, Chairman, CACI International Inc.
• Jennifer Montague, President & COO, Columbia Gas of Virginia
• Jennifer Wold, Managing Partner – Virginia / Assurance Partner, FORVIS

Moderated by: Woody Fowler, President & CEO, Williams Mullen

Introduced by: William “Bill” Murray, Senior Vice President- Corporate Affairs & Communications Services, Dominion Energy

AN INNOVATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Jason El Koubi, President & CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Introduced by: Tom Palmer, Senior Vice President, Market Executive, DC/Virginia/West Virginia, Wells Fargo Bank, VA

FEATURED REMARKS

Jude Muxworthy MBE, His Majesty’s Consul General & Minister Counsellor Delivery, British Embassy Washington

Introduced by: Stephanie Agee, Senior Vice President, International Trade & Chief Administrative Officer, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

KEYNOTE REMARKS

The Honorable Tim Kaine, U.S. Senate

Introduced by: Cathie Vick, Chief Development & Public Affairs Officer, Port of Virginia

####

About the Virginia Chamber Foundation:  

The Virginia Chamber Foundation tracks Virginia’s economic competitiveness, conducts research and analysis, and hosts programs, connected to the priorities of Blueprint Virginia. In December 2021, the Chamber released its new statewide strategic economic development plan, Blueprint Virginia 2030, which has engaged over 7,000 business, economic development, workforce, education, housing, and other community leaders to lay out a plan to ensure Virginia remains at the top of national business climate rankings. Learn more at  www.blueprintvirginia.org.

 About the Virginia Chamber of Commerce:

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in the Commonwealth, with more than 29,000 members. The Chamber is a non-partisan, business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory, and political arenas to act as the catalyst for positive change in all areas of economic development and competitiveness for Virginia. Learn more at https://vachamber.com/.