October 4th / 1pm - 6pm / Downtown Hopewell

General Check-In & Welcome

Location: Downtown Hopewell - Legion Post 146

Time: 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

General attendees can check in and receive their event materials, getting ready for an afternoon of insightful presentations and networking opportunities.

Conference Presentations

Location: Downtown Hopewell - Legion Post 146

Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Dive into a series of presentations covering key topics in manufacturing and current industry trends, including:

• Introduction to Industry: Products, Supply Chain, Innovation

  • Panelists: Andy Girvin, AdvanSix Integrated Supply Chain Leader and Hopewell Plant Manager; Bill Donohue, GENEDGE President and Executive Director; Simon Shepherd, Mylar Specialty Films Hopewell Site Manager.

  • Moderator: Becky McDonough, Hopewell-Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO

• The Economic Impact of Industry in Central Virginia with Mangum Economics

  • Charles Bennett, City of Hopewell Director of Economic Development and Tourism; Fletcher Mangum, Mangum Economics Founder and CEO.

• Education and Workforce Development

  • Panelists: Ashley Huggi, Women in Manufacturing Virginia Chapter; Thomas Midgette, Brightpoint Mechanical Engineering Chair; Lorin Sodell, Virginia State University (VSU) Director of External and Industry Engagement at the College of Engineering and Technology and Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) Director of Business Development and Advanced Manufacturing Education; Gianna Thomas, VSU College of Engineering and Technology Strategic Attraction & Community Partnership Leader.

  • Moderator: Kristina Truell, Hopewell City Public Schools Career and Technical Education Supervisor

• Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Sustainability

  • Fireside Chat: Kenny Balint, Smurfit Westrock Project Engineer-Lead; Peter Biles, Evonik Corporation Director of Engineering; Cody Jung, FounderWay AI Founder and micro-angel investor, Industrial Automation sales and business development.

Small-Batch Trade Show and Reception

Location: Downtown Hopewell - The Beacon Theatre

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Enjoy a reception and trade show all rolled into one event. Featuring local entrepreneurs and their products, the trade show provides an excellent opportunity for networking and celebrating the achievements of our community's small-batch manufacturers and creators. Several of our sponsors and partners, including the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority and the GENEDGE Alliance, will share information and speak about their programs after a brief welcome.

Keep an eye on the evolving Trade Show Lineup here…