Connect & Protect Experience
An Event for Marketing, Human Resources, Retail Banking, Training, Security, Enterprise Risk Management, Operations and Technology, and Compliance Professionals

Conference/Seminar/School Kristen Reid Walt Lyons Amy Binns Michele Dunn

The Connect|Protect Experience is an event for marketing, HR, retail baking, training, security, ERM, operations and technology and compliance professionals that will uncover new ideas, trends and developments in banking.

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Conference Agenda*

wednesday, March 25, 2026

3:00 PM Conference Registration Opens
4:00 – 5:30 PM Connect|Protect Idea Hack-a-Thon: Turning Concepts Into Action
5:30 – 6:30 PM Welcome Reception
Dinner on your own. Enjoy the evening!

Thursday March 26, 2025
7:30 – 8:30 AM Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 AM Welcome | Announcements | Sponsor Introductions
8:45-9:45 AM Opening Keynote
9:45 – 9:50 AM Stretch/Transition to Exhibitor Solutions Showcase
9:50 – 10:35 AM Networking Break
10:55 – 11:55 AM Breakout Sessions
  • Building Confidence in Sales Without the Pressure (Retail, Training)
  • AI Onboarding Best Practices (Operations, Technology)
  • Fair Lending (Compliance)
  • Uncovering Regional Fraud: Key Trends in Virginia & Maryland (Risk, Security)
  • Best Practices in Marketing Automation (Marketing)
  • HR Legal Update (Human Resources)
11:55 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 PM Breakout Sessions
  • Utilizing AI & Micro-Learning Principles in Content Creation (Training)
  • Third Party Risk Management (Compliance, Risk)
  • Digital Fraud (Operations, Technology)
  • Check Fraud (Retail, Security)
  • Using Storytelling in Marketing (Marketing)
  • Best Practices Around Performance Management (Human Resources)
1:45 – 2:05 PM Networking Break
2:05 – 3:05 PM Breakout Sessions
  • Cyber Risk Insurance (Risk)
  • Cyber Incident Response (Security, Technology)
  • Legal Update (Compliance)
  • Phishing Tests – Striking the Right Balance (Operations)
  • Connecting Vision and Value: How Marketing Shapes C-Suite Strategy​ (Marketing)
  • Career Pathing & Succession Planning At All Levels in the Bank (Retail, HR, Training)
3:05 – 3:25 PM Networking Break
3:25 – 4:25 PM Breakout Sessions
  • Innovation in Action: Borrow, Adapt, Succeed (Training)
  • What’s Your Bank’s Digital Footprint? (Operations, Technology)
  • Section 1071 (Compliance)
  • ERM Soup to Nuts for the Community Bank (Risk)
  • Modernizing Retail, Marketing, and Revenue Opportunities (Retail, Marketing)
  • Imposter Scams (Security)
  • Prioritizing Employee Wellbeing: Practical Approaches to Whole-Person Wellness (Human Resources)
4:25 – 4:45 PM Networking Break
4:45 – 5:15 PM Industry Update
5:15 – 6:30 PM Reception
Dinner on your own. Enjoy the evening!

Friday, March 27, 2026
8:00 – 8:45 AM Continental Breakfast with the Exhibitors
8:45 – 10:00 AM Banker Roundtable Sessions
  • HR Roundtable
  • Retail Roundtable
  • Marketing Roundtable
  • Training Roundtable
  • Compliance Roundtable
  • Security Roundtable
  • Risk Roundtable
  • Operations Roundtable
  • Technology Roundtable

* Please note: This session is for bankers only. 
10:00 – 10:30 AM Networking Break | Exhibitor Giveaways
10:30 – 11:30 AM Closing Keynote

*Session topics and speakers are subject to change. 

Meet the Speakers

Check back soon for full lineup of 2026 speakers!

Registration Information

Registration Rates Member Non-Member
Individual $695 $1,195
License up 10 people $6,000 $6,500
License up to 20 people $8,500 $9,000

Register Now!

Hotel Information

Hotel Roanoke
110 Shenandoah Ave NE
Roanoke, VA 24016

The association has reserved a block of rooms at the Hotel Roanoke at the rate of $209/night, plus applicable taxes and fees. A reservation link will be available soon.

Sponsorship/Exhibiting Opportunities

Interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at the 2026 Connect/Protect Experience? Click here to see available options. For our complete 2026 Sponsor Brochure, click here. Contact Amy Binns.