Team Virginia Site Consultant Events

Modeled after successful programs in other states (e.g. Georgia Allies), Team Virginia is a partnership of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and the Virginia Chamber Foundation. The non-profit pools private resources to fund programming that raises awareness about Virginia among out-of-state c-level executives and top site selection consultants.

Programming includes opportunities to experience Virginia first-hand, participate in thought leadership events, sponsorship of major conferences and events, and other bespoke business recruitment activities for top prospects.

Team Virginia was formed in 2021 under the leadership of Stephen Moret at VEDP and Barry DuVal at the Virginia Chamber. I had the unique opportunity to shepherd the establishment of the organization and to lead all programming from 2021 through Summer 2023.

Team Virginia Board Member Companies in 2023

2022 CONSULTANT SYMPOSIUMS

In 2022, as the United State emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and people were excited to travel again, Virginia and VEDP found itself at the beginning of a new chapter. The Port of Virginia was in the midst of historic investments, the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program had success stories to tell, companies and communities were openly talking about the importance of DE&I, and there had been multiple notable business locations and expansions in the state. In addition, the Commonwealth had just elected a new governor, Glenn Youngkin, and VEDP was under new leadership.

To tell the story in a personal and intimate way, Team Virginia invited top site consultants to the Commonwealth for a one and a half day, one night experience we called Consultant Symposiums. Consultants were invited via an overnight mailed print piece that contained a personalized login to a password-protected website about the event.

The symposiums kicked off with receptions with Governor Youngkin, Virginia regional economic development leaders , and members of Team Virginia; and the first night ended with an intimate dinner with VEDP staff leadership. The programming included:

  • Introductions and Virginia Overview

  • Panel of Business Leaders discussing ESG in the Commonwealth

  • Update on the Port of Virginia

  • Tour of the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program’s Experience Center

  • Lunch with Guest Speaker

  • Feedback and Q&A Session with the Consultants

Overall, the Symposiums were very well received. The consultants liked the compact timeline and hearing from business leaders directly. Staff for VEDP benefitted from the feedback and ideas that the consultants shared in the Q&A and were able to take those suggestions to build into new strategic initiatives.

 

Partners: VEDP worked hand-in-hand with the Virginia Chamber (especially Karen Surmacewicz) to produce this event and several organizations supported the effort including the Greater Richmond Partnership, the Hampton Roads Alliance, the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, the Central Virginia Partnership, the Port of Virginia.

Internal Team Members: The entire VEDP Marketing and Communications team worked on this effort including Kelly Spraker, Danni Neal, Emily Eller, Danielle Del Vecchio, Suzanne Clark, Kevin Miller, Chip Knighton, Madison Reiley. Members of the VEDP Business Development team, led by Vince Barnett, also participated as did the Virginia Talent Accelerator program staff, led by Mike Grundmann. The Site Consultant Symposiums were the brainchild of Stephen Moret.

2023 VIRGINIA CONSULTANTS FORUM

Building on the success of the Team Virginia Consultant Symposiums in 2022, we identified an opportunity to not just bring consultants to Virginia to experience the Commonwealth first-hand, but also to add value to the Virginia economic development community. Based on the model of Area Development’s popular consultant conferences, Team Virginia partnered with the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) to produce the Virginia Consultants Forum in May 2023.  

Held at the new Virginia Beach Oceanfront Marriott, the Virginia Consultants Forum hosted 17 top site consultants for a two-night event with consultant presentations and networking. This event was important, because many local and regional economic developers do not have the budgets to travel to consultant conferences—bringing the consultants to Virginia at an affordable price point was a unique opportunity. More than 125 Virginia economic developers attended, which enabled them to hear first-hand from the consultants about timely issues in the industry, as well as a chance to get to know them and share information about their community.

 

Partners: The site consultants were recruited and managed by Dennis Shea and Matt Shea with Area Development . VEDP worked with VEDA (Connie Long) to produce this event, and was supported by the Virginia Chamber (especially Karen Surmacewicz). The Port of Virginia also hosted a pre-event tour for interested consultants.

Internal Team Members: The entire VEDP Marketing and Communications team worked on this effort including Jacquelyn Harris, Lisa Shope, Danni Neal, Tess King, Emily Eller, Danielle Del Vecchio, Suzanne Clark, Lauren Harper, Jessica Keegan, Chip Knighton, and Madison Reiley.

 

 My role in these consultant events was as creative director and project architect. I helped craft the concept, develop the program, provide artistic direction for materials, and managed the production.