10th Annual Southwest Virginia Economic Forum Meeting the Moment, Shaping the Future
The Tenth Annual Southwest Virginia Economic Forum is set to take place on May 22, 2025 at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) David J. Prior Convocation Center. This year’s theme, “Meeting the Moment, Shaping the Future,” will celebrate the region’s achievements while focusing on efforts that will create future opportunities.
Alongside of various regional and state partners, UVA Wise has collaborated to present this important event for a decade. The forum gathers a diverse group of stakeholders committed to the economic well-being of Southwest Virginia, providing an opportunity for meaningful discussions, networking and insights into regional economic topics and trends. Attendees can participate either in person or virtually, ensuring broad access to the valuable content and discussions scheduled throughout the day.
The agenda features a lineup of prominent speakers, including Christine Chmura, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Economist of Chmura Economics & Analytics. Prior to founding Chmura Economics & Analytics in 1999, she served as the Chief Economist at Crestar Financial Corporation, formerly the 30th largest holding company in the United States. She also spent seven years as an associate economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. During the “State of the Region” session, Chmura will provide an overview of the region’s economic landscape and future trajectory.
Additionally, Hamilton Lombard, Estimates Program Manager for the Demographics Research Group at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, will discuss regional demographic trends. His work specializes in analyzing and interpreting the demographic trends that shape Virginia’s communities. For over a decade, he has helped produce Virginia’s county and city population estimates and projections, which are used to guide the Commonwealth’s planning and funding decisions.
Participants will also engage in a panel discussion with leaders from various state agencies. Juan Pablo Segura, Virginia Chief Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Trade, will moderate this session. Afternoon breakout sessions will address critical topics such as downtown revitalization, community resilience, tourism, energy, and agriculture. Additionally, the Virginia Rural Center will debut its Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard, a comprehensive digital tool that offers actionable, downloadable reports and trend data, along with information on funding opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels.
Josh Mancuso, an award-winning actor, comedian and filmmaker known for his viral comedy videos centered around sports, will emcee the event. With over 650,000 followers and more than over 150 million video views across social media, Mancuso has become a fan favorite in the sports and entertainment industries. With a professional background in marketing, entrepreneurship, and film, Josh has participated as an expert panelist and contributor at various regional events, including CreatorCon and Locus Impact’s Noon Knowledge Series.
“We are thrilled to host the Tenth Annual Southwest Virginia Economic Forum, which continues to serve as a vital platform for collaboration and dialogue,” said UVA Wise Chancellor, Donna P. Henry. “This year’s Forum will inspire new partnerships and fresh ideas that will drive growth and ensure a vibrant future for all residents of Southwest Virginia.”
Following the Forum, the day will culminate with a regional housing symposium from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The free event will focus on addressing pressing housing challenges, exploring localized housing solutions, public-private partnerships and future-proofing housing developments to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Participants interested in attending the Tenth Annual Southwest Virginia Economic Forum can find more details and register online at the SWVA Economic Forum website or contact Kelly Moody at kmoody@uvawise.edu for more information.