Connect & Protect Experience
An Event for Marketing, Human Resources, Retail Banking, Training, Security, Enterprise Risk Management, Operations and Technology, and Compliance Professionals
The VBA 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.
Conference Agenda
Monday, March 3, 2025 *
1:00 pm Registration Open
2:00 – 3:30 pm Project Management Melissa Hicks, PMP | Chesapeake Bank
3:30 – 4:15 pm Banker Roundtables
4:15 – 5:00 pm Exhibitor Speed Dating
5:00 – 6:00 pm Welcome Reception
SPONSORED BY ABM AI
*Agenda Topics and Speakers Subject to Change
Tuesday, March 4, 2025*
7:30 - 8:30 am Registration & Continental Breakfast with the Exhibitors
8:30 – 8:45 am Welcome | Announcements | Sponsor Introductions
8:45 - 9:45 am Themes and Trends in Consumer Financial Decision Making Chuck Howard, PhD | University of Virginia – Darden School of Business
9:45 – 10:00 am Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
10:00 – 11:00 am Breakout Sessions
- HR Legal Hot Topics
- Doing More with Less – Efficient & Effective Training Programs
- Elder Financial Mandatory Reporting
- The Art & Science of Effective Customer Communications
11:00 – 11:20 am Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
11:20 – 12:20 pm Breakout Sessions
- Developing Emerging Leaders and Building Bench Strength
- Marketing Trends
- Addressing Security Concerns and Adding Controls Around AI
- Section 1033
12:20 – 1:20 pm Lunch
1:10 – 2:10 pm Breakout Sessions
- Check Fraud
- Making the Best Use of AI in Marketing While Avoiding Pitfalls
- Total Rewards
- Training Needs by the Generation
- Regulator Panel
- Virtual Card Environment
2:20 – 2:40 pm Networking Break in Exhibit the Hall
2:40 – 3:40 pm Breakout Sessions
- AI & Human Resources
- Budgets are Tight. Be Intentional
- AI & Training/Coaching
- Legal Update
- Fraud Trends
3:40 – 4:00 pm Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
4:00 – 4:30 pm Industry Update Bruce Whitehurst, Virginia Bankers Association
4:30 – 6:00 pm Networking Reception
SPONSORED BY Works24
*Agenda Topics and Speakers Subject to Change
Wednesday, March 5, 2025*
7:00 – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast with the Exhibitors
8:00 – 8:10 am Welcome | Announcements
8:10 - 9:10 am General Session
9:10 - 9:25 am Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
9:25 – 10:25 am Breakout Sessions
- HR Roundtable
- Training Roundtable
- Retail Roundtable
- Marketing Roundtable
- Compliance Roundtable
- Ops & Tech Roundtable
- Security Roundtable & ERM Roundtable
10:25 – 10:45 am Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
10:45 - 11:00 am Sponsor Prize Drawings
10:55 – 11:55 am Closing Keynote: Executive Performance Ace Callwood | Envoy
*Topics and speakers are subject to change.
Registration Information
| Registration Rates | Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Through February 7, 2025 | $675 | $1,150 |
| February 8-March 3, 2025 | $695 | $1,195 |
| License up 10 people | $6,000 | $6,500 |
| License up to 20 people | $8,500 | $9,000 |
Conference Location
Williamsburg Lodge
310 S England St
Williamsburg, VA 23185
The VBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Williamsburg Lodge at the rate of $199/night, plus applicable taxes and fees. To take advantage of this negotiated rate, reservations must be made by February 5. Reservations can be made online here.
Sponsorship/Exhibiting Opportunities
Interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at the 2025 Connect/Protect Experience? Click here to learn about those opportunities. Click here for our complete 2025 Sponsorship Brochure. Questions? Contact Amy Binns.