EVENT OVERVIEW

The ChamberRVA and the Hampton Roads Chamber are the host for Convergence 2021, the second annual one-day leadership forum on how RVA757 Connects is advancing the I-64 Innovation Corridor – the 8,000-square-mile Richmond-Hampton Roads megaregion.

The increasing movement of goods, people, and capital between nearby metropolitan regions are creating the new competitive units in the global economy. More than 70 percent of our nation's population and jobs are aligned with 11 U.S. megaregions. Convergence 2021 will feature the transformative strategies making the I-64 Innovation Corridor a megaregion, which includes becoming a top 15 global internet hub.

THE INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Convergence 2021 will bring together community, business, and higher education leaders from across the I-64 Innovation Corridor.

Vinay Nagpal, global internet strategist and President of InterGlobix, will share insights on the value to local residents, businesses, and the entire community in being a Global Internet Hub. Two leaders from Marseille, France, will share how their port city became a global internet hub in five years and offer suggestions on what the I-64 Innovation Corridor can do to accelerate its trajectory in becoming the next global internet hub.

In addition, Convergence 2021 will unveil the latest insights from the I-64 Innovation Corridor Study on what defines our megaregion today and its promise for tomorrow.

Aubrey L. Layne, Jr., the new Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff of Sentara Healthcare, former Secretary of Finance and Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia, will introduce and facilitate the keynote international session featuring:

• Vinay Nagpal
  President, InterGlobix
  Chairman, NVTC Data Center & Cloud Community
  Executive Director & Founding Member, IEIC
  Understanding Global Internet Hubs and the Benefits They Provide Residents, Businesses and Entire Communities
• Mike Hollands (From Marseille)
  Senior Director, Market Development
  Interxion: A Digital Realty Company
  Building a Global Internet Hub in Marseille
• Alexander Antonakas (From Marseille)
  Responsible Studies, Cooperation & Partnerships
  Grand Maritime Port of Marseille
  The importance of Public-Private Partnerships in Becoming a Global Internet Hub

THE LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

The international session will be followed by a local I-64 Innovation Corridor perspective – what’s happening here to advance our megaregion as a global internet hub. Economic development officials from Henrico, Virginia Beach, and higher education leaders from both Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University will share how everyone is working toward global internet hub status.

Regional speakers include:

• Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D.
  Dean of VCU College of Engineering Panel Facilitator
• Anthony Romanello Executive Director
  Henrico Economic Development Authority
• Raymond K. White
  Business Development Coordinator
  Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development
• Morris W. Foster
  Executive Director of Strategic Development
  Old Dominion University
• Paul F. Rocheleau
  Executive Director of Strategic Development
  Virginia Commonwealth University

John W. Martin, President and CEO of RVA757 Connects, will share key findings from the just-completed I-64 Innovation Corridor Today and Tomorrow Study. This will include insights on the market shifts shaping the future of industries and occupations in our megaregion and the future of where and how we will work.

MEDIA PARTNER