VBA Event & Program Recaps

From March-June 2022, 210 bankers and industry partners will participate in the VBA Connect|Protect Experience. The Experience kicked off with a Launch Event in Richmond on March 3-4. More than 150 bankers and industry partners joined us for two days of learning and networking for banking professionals in the areas of marketing, human resources, retail banking, training, security, enterprise risk management, and operations and technology. During each session, attendees uncovered new ideas, trends, and developments in banking.  The Experience continues with 34 virtual sessions through mid-June that cover specific function area training. 

More than 12,100 Virginia students and their families read the same book on the same schedule during the month of March thanks to nearly $60,000 of financial support from Virginia’s banking industry. The Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation (VBA), supported by Virginia banks, is a statewide sponsor of this initiative, a program from Richmond-based Read to Them.

On January 13th, more than 500 bankers and members of the business community joined us for our virtual VBA/VA Chamber Financial Forecast. For the eleventh 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.

In November 2021, nearly 275 bankers and legislators joined us for our series of virtual State Legislative Meetings. With the 2022 General Assembly Session rapidly approaching, this was an important opportunity to engage state policy makers on key banking issues.

More than 60 Virginia bankers joined us in Harrisonburg at the Hotel Madison for the 2021 VBA Leadership Conference October 21-22. 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. 

More than 310 bankers and industry partners attended the 128th Annual Convention at the Belmond Charleston Place in Charleston, SC from September 12-15, 2021. This year’s Convention combined a great lineup of speakers on timely topics and networking. We were excited to finally come together, enjoy each other’s company and educate ourselves on industry topics together. 

More than 160 bankers and industry partners joined us August 23-25, 2021 at the Omni Richmond Hotel for our combined CFO & Lending/Credit Conference. Attendees enjoyed three days of engaging and relevant sessions and also had the opportunity to meet with our sponsors in the exhibit hall.

VBA and the American Bankers Association partnered to host the second-annual virtual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit for bankers on May 20, 2021. Four hundred 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. Sponsored by The Council of FHLBanks, the value-packed program helped bankers become agents of change by building their “DEI Playbook” through eight strategy sessions, giving bankers the tangible tools needed to make a difference. 

The 2021 Directors’ Symposium, co-sponsored by the Virginia Association of Community Banks (VACB), provided bank board members with current data, thought-provoking industry trends and networking opportunities with other directors and regulators. The annual Symposium is designed to benefit both new directors and seasoned veterans on the Board.