2026 MBA/VBA Annual Convention
Event Portal
We are thrilled to welcome you to The Omni Homestead Resort for our event! This year’s Convention will combine a great lineup of speakers on timely topics and networking with bankers and industry providers. We are excited to come together, enjoy each other’s company and educate ourselves on industry topics together.
Please bookmark this page for easy access during the event!
Convention Dates, About the Hotel & Attire
Convention dates
June 7-10, 2026
About the Omni Homestead Resort
The Omni Homestead Resort
7696 Sam Snead Hwy
Hot Springs, VA 24445
In the true spirit of Southern hospitality, The Omni Homestead Resort is committed to making every aspect of your stay comfortable and carefree. Their Virginia mountain setting and elegant lodgings are enhanced by a wealth of guest services and amenities.
- Learn more about the dining options here. Convention attendees are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible.
- Having trouble making reservations on Monday evening? A steak and seafood buffet option will be made available to Convention attendees in the Commonwealth Room (overflow room for the Audubon Dining Room) on Monday, June 8 from 6:00-9:00 PM. The cost is $80 per adult, $40 for ages 5-12, and complimentary for ages 4 and under. Dinner will be on your own and reservations can be made via the Audubon Dining Room’s page on OpenTable here.
- Learn more about the spa services here.
- Learn more about activities here. Convention attendees receive a 15% discount on activities, excluding falconry, fly fishing, kayaking, and ammunition at the shooting club.
Parking Information
Valet parking is available for $25 per day.
Planning Your Trip
Airport and Train Station Transportation
Transportation to and from the Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport, Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport and the Amtrak station in Clifton Forge may be arranged via a third party. Below are three companies that provide ground transportation service. Fees apply.
Executive Town Car (Roanoke) – (540) 366-4644
B&L Transportation – (540) 968-3335
Camryn Limousine (Charlottesville) – (434) 990-9070
Attire
Attire for all Convention events is resort casual with the exception of Tuesday night’s Casino night, which is black tie optional. Resort casual attire includes polo shirts, shorts, sandals, sundresses, etc. Dress requirements may vary with the specific restaurant or activity.
Agenda & Attendee Roster
Due to space limitations, participation in Convention activities (including receptions, the Tuesday evening Casino Night, the Pickleball Tournament, the Golf Tournament, and the Spouse/Guest program) is limited to registered Convention attendees.
Roster of Attendees
View the attendee roster here.
Sponsored by Investors Title Insurance Company
Agenda
See the “Speaker Information & Session Materials” dropdown below for full General Session descriptions.
| Sunday, June 7 |
Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00–5:00 PM |
Registration, Refreshments & Exhibit Hall Exhibit Hall Open 2:00-5:00PM |
Grand Ballroom |
| 2:00-4:30 PM | Bank Directors’ Workshop: The Board’s Role in a High-Performing Bank David Kemp, President, Bankers Management, Inc. |
Mt. Vernon/Stratford Room |
| 5:30–7:00 PM | Welcome Reception Sponsored by Investors Title Insurance Co. |
Casino Lawns 2&3 Weather Backup: Crystal/Empire Ballroom |
| Monday, June 8 |
Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
7:00-8:00 AM |
Registration, Breakfast & Exhibit Hall Open Exhibit Hall Open 7:00 AM-12:00 PM |
Grand Ballroom & Foyer |
| 7:45–11:30 AM | General Session & Breakout Sessions | General Session in Grand Ballroom Breakout Sessions in Regency East & West |
|
7:45-8:00 AM Convention Opening Ceremony & Welcome
8:00-8:45 AM The Bank M&A Marketplace: What a Difference a Year Makes
8:45-9:15 AM
|
General Session in the Grand Ballroom | |
|
9:15-9:35 AM Break & Transition to Breakout Sessions
9:35-10:25 AM
10:25-10:40 AM
10:40-11:30 AM
|
Breakout Sessions in Regency East & West Breaks in Grand Ballroom |
|
| 9:30-11:00 AM |
Spouse/Guest Program: Warm Springs Pools |
Shuttle departs from the hotel lobby promptly at 9:30 AM |
| 11:30 AM-12:00 PM | Registration & Exhibit Hall Open | Grand Ballroom |
| 1:00 PM | Golf Tournament: Shotgun Start Pre-registration required |
The Old Course |
|
5:30-7:00 PM |
Evening Reception Sponsored by Marsh, McLennan Agency LLC, SageView, VBA Benefits Corp., VOYA and Williams Mullen |
Old Course Pavilion |
| Tuesday, June 9 |
Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:15-8:00 AM |
Registration, Breakfast & Exhibit Hall Open Breakfast Sponsored by Piper Sandler |
Grand Ballroom & Foyer |
|
8:00-8:45 AM |
Association Business Meetings MBA Annual Business Meeting Sponsored by ICBA |
MBA in Mt. Vernon/Stratford |
| 8:45-9:00 AM | Break & Transition to General Session Sponsored by the American Bankers Association |
Grand Ballroom |
| 9:00-11:45 AM | General Session |
Grand Ballroom |
|
9:-00-9:05 AM
9:05-9:55 AM 9:55-10:05 AM
10:05 10:55 AM Banking Through a Product Lens Madeline Fredin, SVP, Growth & AI Transformation, Alloy Labs
10:55-11:45 AM The Economics of Leadership Mary Kelly, Ph.D., CSP, CDR & US Navy Ret., Productive Leaders
11:45 AM |
Grand Ballroom |
|
| 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Registration Desk & Exhibit Hall Open | Grand Ballroom & Foyer |
| 1:00-3:00 PM | Pickleball Tournament Tournament Sponsored by CRS Data; Pre-registration required |
Pickleball Courts Hold for shuttle info. |
| 2:30-4:30 PM | Cabanas & Cocktails Cabanas Sponsored by Community Bankers’ Bank, NBID, and Wolf & Co. |
Pool Cabanas at Allegheny Springs Pool |
| 6:30–11:00 PM |
Chairs’ Reception & Casino Night |
Reception – Grand Ballroom Foyer & Terrace Casino Night – Grand Ballroom |
| Wednesday, June 10 |
|---|
| Departure |
Speaker Information & Session Materials
About Our Keynote Speakers
View the bios for all of our keynote speakers here!
Session Information
*Please note that the password for all session materials is Convention2026.
| Sunday, June 7 | |
|---|---|
|
Bank Directors’ Workshop: The Board’s Role in a High-Performing Bank David Kemp, President, Bankers Management, Inc. |
This session will focus on key indicators of bank performance and the board’s role in the governance of the bank, including examples of the board exercising its oversight responsibilities. We will explore the proper relationship between the board, management, and regulators. In short, how does a board know if its bank is winning? |
| Monday, June 8 | |
|---|---|
|
The Bank M&A Marketplace: What a Difference a Year Makes Christopher Olsen, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC |
Bank M&A activity roared back to life in 2025: the total number of deals was nearly 50% higher than the prior year while, more profoundly, more than $50 billion in total bank M&A transactions were announced in 2025, the 3rd highest annual tally over the past 15 years. Additionally, 2025 also saw 2 species of M&A players come out of hibernation, large banks and serial acquirers, largely absent from the M&A landscape in recent years. The dawn of the next M&A upcycle has seemingly arrived, ushered in by several seismic forces all converging simultaneously. However, this current M&A window will almost certainly not remain open indefinitely and, in fact, may be closed prematurely by looming elections and/or other market developments. Accordingly, this session will provide an engaging update on the bank M&A landscape including transaction activity, valuations, deal drivers, key trends, best practices, and the forward outlook. The discussion should be useful to all Bankers and Directors whether from the perspective of potential sellers, would-be acquirers, prospective merger counterparties, and even those intending to remain independent. |
|
Washington Update: A Fireside Chat
|
Session details will be available soon! |
|
Beyond the Teller Line: Designing the Next-Gen Bank Experience Glenn Grau, Chief Business Development Officer, PWCampbell |
This session explores how the modern bank branch must evolve to align with changing consumer behaviors and expectations. As digital banking becomes the norm, the physical branch is no longer just a place for transactions—it’s a strategic touchpoint for building relationships, trust, and long-term value. This session will highlight how to redesign the in-branch journey to seamlessly blend digital efficiency with human connection, using tools like interactive kiosks, smart layouts, and support for staff to deliver better service. Attendees will learn how to turn each visit—especially those critical first interactions—into a meaningful, personalized experience that drives engagement, loyalty, and cross-product growth. With 72% of new account openings still happening in person, this is a timely opportunity to reimagine the branch not as an obsolete concept, but as a powerful driver of modern consumer engagement. |
|
Turning Technology Investments into Measurable Results Wade Barnes, Managing Director, Financial and Professional Services and Shea Gabrielleschi, VP, Relationship Development, Hartman Executive Advisors |
Technology is no longer just an IT concern in community banking – it’s a leadership imperative. Yet many banks continue to invest heavily in technology without seeing measurable business results. This session reframes IT as a strategic driver of growth, efficiency, and resilience. Attendees will learn the five keys to unlocking technology’s full potential in a community banking environment – focusing on alignment, modernization, automation, data, and talent. Through real-world examples and practical guidance, this session shows how bank leaders can move from reactive IT spending to intentional, outcome-driven technology strategy. |
|
Charting the Future: A Blueprint for CEO and C-Suite Succession Success Scott Petty, Managing Partner, Financial Services/Real Estate, Chartwell Partners |
Succession planning isn’t just about replacing leaders—it’s about securing your organization’s future, especially in times of transformation. In this strategic session, we’ll explore how to build a resilient leadership pipeline for your bank’s C-Suite, with a particular focus on periods of transition, including mergers and acquisitions. Learn how to proactively manage executive succession to minimize disruption, maintain continuity, and preserve organizational value during deal-making. You’ll walk away with a practical, actionable blueprint to navigate leadership change and strengthen your bank’s long-term stability—whether growth is organic or deal-driven. |
|
From Stablecoins to Tokenized Deposits: What’s Next in the Fight for the Future of Money Rob Blackwell, Chief Content Officer and Head of External Affairs, IntraFi |
Recent legislative and regulatory developments have moved stablecoins and tokenized deposits from theoretical discussions to real strategic considerations for banks. As policymakers set clearer rules for payment stablecoins, banks face growing pressure to respond or risk ceding ground in payments and transaction relationships. This session explains the competitive stakes, outlines how tokenized deposits differ from stablecoins, and highlights what bank leaders should be watching as these technologies evolve. |
| Tuesday, June 9 | |
|---|---|
|
MBA Annual Business Meeting Featured Speaker: Industry Update Lucas White, ICBA Past Chairman |
Lucas will provide an industry update during the Maryland Bankers Association Annual Business Meeting. |
|
The Road to 2026: What the Midterms Will Reveal About America’s Future Kirk Bado, Editor, The Hotline |
Kirk unpacks how the fallout from the 2024 election is reshaping voter sentiment and party strategies on both sides of the aisle. He explores the rapid changes underway—from shifting coalitions and new political influencers to the redrawing of congressional lines—that will define the 2026 midterms. With clarity and on-the-ground reporting, Kirk shows how these dynamics could reshape Congress and set the stage for 2028. His forward-looking analysis helps organizations and leaders anticipate what the next election cycle means for the country’s political and policy direction. |
|
Banking Through a Product Lens Madeline Fredin, SVP, Growth & AI Transformation, Alloy Labs |
The banking industry is quietly racing toward commoditization, and competing on price, features, or UI alone is a race to zero margin. In this keynote, Madeline Fredin of Alloy Labs Alliance makes the case for a product-led approach to banking—reframing products as repeatable solutions to real customer problems rather than one-time projects or feature launches. Through concrete examples and contrasts like output vs. outcome and project vs. product, she walks through the principles that allow banks to defend differentiation, build learning loops, and create loyalty that price wars can’t erode. The session challenges leaders to confront the cultural, structural, and incentive barriers that keep banks stuck in “launch and leave” mode. You’ll walk away with a practical framework for driving higher lifetime value, unlocking new fee lines, and building long-term relevance in an increasingly competitive landscape. |
|
The Economics of Leadership Mary Kelly, Ph.D., CSP, CDR & US Navy Ret., Productive Leaders |
Session details will be available soon! |
Activities & Entertainment
Attire for all Convention events is resort casual, except for Tuesday night’s Casino night, which is black tie optional. Resort casual attire includes polo shirts, shorts, sandals, sundresses, etc. Dress requirements may vary with the specific restaurant or activity.
Due to space limitations, participation in Convention activities (including receptions, the Tuesday evening Casino Night, the Pickleball Tournament, the Golf Tournament, and the Spouse/Guest program) is limited to registered Convention attendees.
Welcome reception
Sunday, June 7 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Casino Lawns 2&3 (weather backup Crystal/Empire Ballroom)
Sponsored by Investors Title Insurance Company
Join other Convention attendees on Sunday evening to kick off what is sure to be a great Convention. No registration is required – this event is open to all Convention attendees and guests.
Spouse/Guest Program: Warm Springs Pools Private Soak
Monday, June 8 from 9:30-11:00 AM
Shuttle departs from the hotel lobby at 9:30 AM; soak is from 10:00-11:00 AM; shuttle will return guests to the hotel by 11:30 AM
View the Guest Program roster here.
*Please note that pre-registration is required and walk-up registrations cannot be accepted. Contact Marie Basil to be added to the waiting list or with any changes in plans.
Please be sure to bring your bathing suit and a change of clothes. Private changing rooms are available at the bathhouse. Towels and pool noodles are provided and there is a swimsuit dryer available.
Registered spouses and guests are invited to join us for this FREE event. Just five miles from the resort, the historic Warm Springs Pools offer peaceful, mineral-rich soaks. The waters at the Warm Springs Pools are truly unique. According to the United States Geological Survey, these springs maintain a remarkably consistent flow and temperature year-round, unaffected by seasonal changes. Flowing at an astounding rate of 1,700,000 gallons per day, the water stays at a soothing 98-99 degrees, creating the perfect environment for relaxation. Attendees will enjoy a private, one-hour, co-ed soak.
Golf Tournament at the old course
Monday, June 8 with a 1:00 PM Shotgun Start
Thank You to Our Golf Sponsors: ACBB, Altitude, Banc Card of America, and Diebold Nixdorf
View the Golf Tournament roster here.
The tournament is Captain’s Choice (Scramble) and will include:
- Longest drive contests
- Closest to the pin contests
- Cash prizes for winners
- Boxed lunches
A golf confirmation email will be sent to all participants* that contains more details about the tournament.
*Pre-registration is required. The deadline to register for the Golf Tournament was May 15. Please contact Marie Basil with any changes in plans. To receive a refund, attendees must have canceled before May 5.
Monday evening reception
Monday, June 8 from 5:30-7:00 PM
Old Course Pavilion
Sponsored by Marsh, McLennan Agency LLC, SageView, VBA Benefits Corp., VOYA and Williams Mullen
Experience sweeping views of the resort and surrounding mountains at this brand-new indoor/outdoor location. Enjoy beverages and light hors d’oeuvres before you head to dinner, as we award the golf tournament winners and enjoy the musical talents of Shane Click.
Pickleball Tournament
Tuesday, June 9 from 1:00-3:00 PM
Shuttles will be available from the hotel lobby beginning at 12:15 PM; Shuttles will return players to the hotel at the conclusion of the tournament.
Sponsored by CRS Data
View the Pickleball Tournament roster here.
A pickleball confirmation email will be sent to all participants* that contains more details about the tournament.
Join us for a fun and fast-paced pickleball tournament! This event is designed for up to 24 players and will run for approximately two hours. Participants will enjoy friendly competition in a round-robin partner format, ensuring everyone gets plenty of playtime. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this tournament is all about camaraderie, exercise, and having a great time on the court!
*Pre-registration is required. The deadline to register for the Pickleball Tournament was May 22. Please contact Marie Basil with any changes in plans. To receive a refund, attendees must have canceled before May 22.
Cabanas & Cocktails
Tuesday, June 9 from 2:30-4:30 PM
Pool Cabanas at Allegheny Springs Pool
Cabanas Sponsored by Community Bankers’ Bank, NBID and Wolf & Co.
Spend a relaxing afternoon with your friends and colleagues by the Allegheny Springs pool at the cabanas! Attendees will enjoy sunshine, refreshing drinks and great company at the private cabanas. All Convention attendees are invited to stop by after the Pickleball tournament or after enjoying the nearby lazy river!
Chairs’ reception & Casino Night
Tuesday, June 9 from 6:30-11:00 p.m.
Reception – Grand Ballroom Foyer & Terrace
Dinner & Casino Night – Grand Ballroom
Reception Sponsored by Fiserv
Dinner & Casino Night Sponsored by FHLBank Atlanta
All Convention attendees are invited to join us on Tuesday evening for our Chairs’ Reception and Casino Night to wrap up what is sure to be a great event.
Daily Newsletters
Thank you to our daily newsletter sponsor, PCBB! Newsletters will be linked below upon distribution each morning.
- Sunday
- Monday
- Tuesday
Wi-Fi Information
Sponsored by KlariVis
While onsite at The Omni Homestead Resort, please use the following network/password during the general sessions.
Network: XX
Password: XX
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Thank you to our event sponsors! Without their support, we could not stage a Convention of this scale. Please show your appreciation to them during the Convention.
Contribute to the 2026 VBA Education Foundation Annual Fund Campaign – Help Us Reach Our $57,000 Goal!
Please complete this form to help the VBA Education Foundation reach the 2026 goal of $57,000 for the Annual Fund Campaign by making a contribution to the Walter Ayers Fund for Financial Education. Contributions to this year’s campaign can be made via check or credit card.
CPE Information
For CPE credit, please email Chandler Owdom.
Onsite Staff Contacts
Chandler Owdom
VBA SVP, Communications & Strategy
(804) 839-8420
Monica McDearmon
VBA VP, Communications & Financial Education
(804) 363-9347
Amy Binns
VBA VP, Industry Partnerships
(804) 502-9205
Tisha Edwards
MBA President & CEO
(443) 540-5976
Bruce Whitehurst
Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association and VBA President & CEO
(804) 241-3223