West Virginia Chamber’s 88th Annual Meeting & Business Summit promises another dynamic and power-packed event
Each year at summer’s end, many of the state’s most influential business, industry, education, financial and political leaders gather at “America’s Resort” for the 88th Annual Meeting & Business Summit of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s meeting is again brimming with excellent content, featuring world-class speakers and presentations that will further promote growth for the benefit of all West Virginians. With overwhelmingly positive reviews and boasting a 100% return rating, leaders say it’s the not-to-be-missed event of the business world.
The best network event of the year … bar none.
This year’s theme of “Uniting Business, Igniting Prosperity” will continue the Chamber’s time-honored tradition of holding the event at The Greenbrier Resort the week before Labor Day. From Aug. 28-30, attendees can expect a dynamic and enriching experience that fosters collaboration, innovation and growth in an event that will encapsulate the essence of what the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce stands for and the vision the organization holds for the future.
“Business in our state is united, strong and expanding. Chamber of Commerce members are the backbone, muscle, fiber, heartbeat and thought leaders of our state,” says Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “This year will see much celebrating and a united push for more progress.”
The meeting has continued to break attendance records for more than a decade, and Kathy Thomas, vice president and CFO of the Chamber, says the event has had its biggest response ever so far this year, with record sponsorships and an estimated record number of attendees. Hundreds of people registered for the meeting within the first 24 hours alone.
“We have over 70 sponsors right now,” Thomas says. “Last year, one of our sponsors had to leave the meeting early on the last day because they had put together a huge deal with some folks there, so this is truly the place where big deals are made.”
The Business Summit is a place where people can come together to fellowship, exchange ideas and work together on some of West Virginia’s most pressing issues. With a long history of major economic development and jobs announcements, there are always new elements and surprises in store during the Business Summit, says Kaylin Jorge, director of communications for the Chamber. For example, the Chamber is working with a new sponsor regarding AI technology to bring a new aspect to the summit this year.
A lineup of impressive speakers is a strong pillar of the event’s established success. Some speakers this year include U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Neil Bradley; Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito; West Virginia gubernatorial candidates Patrick Morrisey and Steve Williams; Wheeling native Chris Stirewalt, who is the author and politics editor at NewsNation; West Virginia University President Gordon Gee; Marshall University President Brad Smith; and many more, including representation from higher education, health care, workforce, energy and manufacturing.
The Greenbrier has been a beautiful backdrop and an ideal location for the annual Business Summit which was first held at The Greenbrier in 1936. Attendees enjoy not only the agenda, networking and business opportunities but also the variety of activities at the resort, from world-class golf and tennis to amenities such as five-star dining, spa services and more.
“We have been descending upon The Greenbrier for nearly 100 years now, and there is something really special about it,” Thomas says. “There’s nowhere else like it in West Virginia. It’s hosted everyone from presidents to royalty. Even the Windsor Suites are named for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. There’s just so much history there you can’t get anywhere else.”
West Virginia University is serving as the host sponsor this year. Event information, agendas and registration information can be found on the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce website, www.wvchamber.com.