VBA Event & Program Recaps

Last month, nearly 200 bankers joined us for our Burgers with Bruce series. Each event included an industry update from VBA President and CEO Bruce Whitehurst followed by a “Leadership Dialogues” panel that consisted of bank CEOs and leaders from the VBA Emerging Bank Leaders Steering Committee. 

More than 260 bankers and industry partners joined us in Williamsburg from March 13-15 for the VBA Connect|Protect Experience. This event brought together banking professionals in the areas of marketing, human resources, retail banking, training, security, enterprise risk management, compliance, and operations and technology. This year’s event featured 35 total sessions, including five general sessions and five concurrent breakout sessions, during which attendees uncovered new ideas, trends, and developments in banking.

On January 11th, 36 Virginia bankers graduated from the VBA Management Development Program – our largest in person cohort to date! This program is a five-month, comprehensive training designed for newer employees who have developed a passion for banking, want to enhance their knowledge of the business of banking, and who are motivated to excel in their careers and reach their full potential.

On January 12th, nearly 600 bankers and members of the business community joined us for the VBA/VA Chamber Financial Forecast at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. For the twelfth year, the VBA and VA Chamber of Commerce partnered to bring together hundreds of members of the business community to learn what lies ahead for the state and national economy.

More than 80 Virginia bankers joined us in Richmond 2022 VBA Leadership Conference October 27-28. This annual event is designed for emerging banking leaders and members of the Virginia Bankers Association Emerging Bank Leaders (EBL) group, giving attendees the opportunity to share ideas and network with peers from across the state. 

In September and October, more than 220 bankers and legislators joined us for our series of State Legislative Meetings. With the 2023 General Assembly Session rapidly approaching, this was an important opportunity to engage state policy makers on key banking issues.

VBA, the American Bankers Association and the Maryland Bankers Association partnered to host the third-annual virtual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit for bankers on September 15, 2022. Five hundred seventy five people attended nationwide from 42 states and Washington DC. This event was an important part of continuing a meaningful dialogue on fostering positive change in the industry. The value-packed program helped bankers master the leading practices for mitigating the systemic barriers that disadvantage marginalized groups in the industry and gave actionable steps to implement change.

From June-August 2022, 33 students participated in the VBA Internship Program with 11 banks across the state. Through this program, interns were exposed to the industry through a variety of projects, online coursework, departmental rotations through their banks, community engagement and in-person and virtual training from the VBA. Interns who completed a set of requirements were eligible to receive the VBA Summer Internship Program Certificate of Completion.

Nearly 370 bankers and industry partners joined us in Virginia Beach June 19-22, 2022, for the 129^th Annual Convention. Attendees enjoyed business sessions as well as social and networking events during their time in Virginia Beach.