The WVEDC Board of Directors Meeting will take place at the Sunset Cantina in the Snowshoe Village.

Arriving early? Experience the conference your way by enjoying everything Snowshoe Mountain Resort has to offer! Attendees may independently reserve activities directly through Snowshoe using the conference group code. Activities are optional and are not included in conference registration costs. 

We'll see you at the registration table at the conference center.

Location: Shavers Center

The conference begins with a WVEDC membership meeting at 5 p.m. 

Location: Shavers Center

Join us at 6 p.m. as we kick off the conference with a reception.

Location: Corduroy Inn & Lodge's Ballroom

Start your day off the right way with breakfast and networking.

Location: Shavers Center

Welcome to the 2026 Annual Fall Conference.

Speakers:

• Dave Lieving, WVEDC
• Ruthana Beezley, Greenbrier Valley EDC
• Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Hear firsthand how regional outdoor recreation initiatives are strengthening local economies and creating lasting community impact. Panelists will discuss project development, funding successes, stakeholder collaboration, and the measurable benefits of investing in outdoor recreation infrastructure. 

Moderator: Jessica Sutton, WVU Brad & Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative 

Speakers:

• Josh Nease, Mon Forest Towns
• Eric Lindberg, Snowshoe Highlands Area Ride Center (SHARC)
• Matt Ford, Meadow River Valley Association
• Sarah Elkins, Greenbrier Valley Off Road Biking Association

Discover ongoing efforts to promote WV School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), the Greenbrier Valley and West Virginia as a destination for biomedical development. 

Speakers:

• Dr. James Nemitz, WV School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Don Smith, WV School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Bryan Brown, WV Bioscience Association

Now is your chance to stretch your legs and check out the exhibit tables 

This session will highlight proven strategies for retaining and strengthening local businesses and introduce tools from artificial intelligence to virtual reality that can amplify your efforts by supporting with the development and evaluation of surveys, tracking business priorities, strengthening outreach, and more. This session will offer real-world and proactive approaches to identify at-risk businesses, how to use virtual reality as a workforce development tool, and accessible artificial intelligence tools to scale BR&E programs with limited resources.  

Speaker: Aaron Brossoit, Golden Shovel 

Woodlands Development shares lessons from the Tygart Hotel project in Elkins, highlighting creative financing, project challenges, and the role of nonprofit developers in advancing rural development where traditional options are limited. 

Speaker: Dave Clark, Woodlands Development 

Hear from federal agencies on programs and initiatives focused on business and economic development. 

Take the opportunity to stretch your legs and take in the views as you walk/shuttle to the Allegheny Springs for informational breakout sessions. 

Location: Allegheny Springs

For Breakout Sessions 1 and 2, choose 2 of the 3 sessions to attend. Each session is 20 minutes, providing a 10 minute break to transition to the next session. Click on the Breakout Session tab to learn about each session and where you can find them in Allegheny Springs. 

Location: Allegheny Springs

For Breakout Sessions 3 and 4, choose 2 of the 3 sessions to attend.  Each session is 20 minutes, providing a 10 minute break to transition to the next session. Click on the Breakout Session tab to learn about each session and where you can find them in Allegheny Springs. 

Location: Allegheny Springs

Take the opportunity to stretch your legs and take in the views as you walk/shuttle back to the Shavers Center. Connect with our exhibitors and grab a snack for the last few sessions for Thursday. 

Location: Shavers Center

Update on the Data Economy Office's progress, upcoming strategic initiatives, and efforts to strengthen data center investment, and overall economic growth.  

Speaker: 

• Chris Morris, WV Data Economy Office
• Heather Vanater, WV Data Economy Office

Introducing students to local career opportunities early helps build a stronger future workforce. This panel will explore innovative programs that connect K–12 students with regional career pathways through hands-on experiences, interactive activities, and industry engagement.  

Moderator: Tiffany Rogers-McClure, High Rocks

Speakers: 

• Tracey Valach, Nature’s Mountain Playground
• Bill Shiflet, Willow Bend Agricultural Innovation Farm
• Monica Cross, Explore the New Manufacturing

Thursday's sessions have concluded and now it is time to take advantage of everything Snowshoe has to offer. Enjoy your evening! 

Discover how EDAs can use property transfers to facilitate development projects and respond to business needs. Attendees will gain insight into the legal flexibility available under West Virginia law and the opportunities it creates for local economic growth. 

Speaker:  Josh Jarrell, Spilman Thomas & Battle 

Location:  Allegheny Springs - Tygart Room

Learn how WVDEP is helping communities identify, assess, and position properties for productive reuse. Attendees will gain an overview of available assessment services, planning assistance, and real-world examples of projects that have benefited from these resources.  

Speaker:  Jennifer Liddle, WV Department of Environmental Protection 

Location: Allegheny Springs - Greenbrier Room

Supporting agricultural businesses starts with knowing where to turn for help. This session provides an overview of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Business Development Division, along with other key agricultural resources and partners, to help service providers connect producers and food businesses with opportunities for growth and long-term success. 

Speaker: Ashley Butler, WV Department of Agriculture

Location: Allegheny Springs - Williams Room

Learn how to navigate the legal complexities of protecting proprietary business information while meeting public transparency obligations. This interactive session will cover key legal considerations and provide an opportunity to ask questions about real-world economic development scenarios.  

Speaker: John Stump, Steptoe & Johnson

Location: Allegheny Springs - Tygart Room

Employee ownership can be a powerful tool for business succession, workforce retention, and community stability. Learn how WVCEO is helping West Virginia businesses transition through education and technical assistance. 

Speaker: Tim Gibbons, WV Center of Employee Ownership

Location: Allegheny Springs - Greenbrier Room

Outdoor recreation is more than an industry — it is an economic driver supporting businesses, communities, tourism, and quality of life across West Virginia. This session will share the work underway to build the WV Outdoor Business & Industry Alliance (WV OBIA), a statewide effort focused on connecting outdoor businesses, resources, and partners to strengthen collaboration, identify industry needs, and create new opportunities for growth 

Speaker: Heidi Prior, WVU Brad & Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative 

Location: Allegheny Springs - Williams Room

Start your day off the right way with breakfast and networking.

Location: Shavers Center

Site readiness can make the difference between winning and losing a project. Through first-hand experience, this panel will examine the technical, legal, and infrastructure issues that can help move a deal forward—or stop it in its tracks.  

Moderator: Samantha Smith, WV Division of Economic Development

Speaker:

• Mike Basile, Spilman Thomas & Battle
• Chad Riley, The Thrasher Group
• Ryan Taylor, Pickering Associates

Learn how the West Virginia Division of Transportation's Industrial Access Road and Neighborhood Access Road Programs help unlock development opportunities by improving critical transportation infrastructure. This session will explore eligibility, funding mechanisms, and these programs support businesses expansion and job creation. 

Speaker: Jonathan Schaffer, WV Department of Transportation

Now is your chance to stretch your legs and check out the exhibit tables. 

Hear firsthand examples of how West Virginia's wood products sector is generating economic growth and supporting rural communities. 

Speaker: Senator Robbie Morris, Randolph County Development Authority

Discover how a former university campus is being reimagined as the Innovation and Technology Center, with investments in education, housing, and community infrastructure driving long-term economic growth.  

Speakers:

• Lindsey Piersol, Wood County EDA
• Dr. Torie Jackson, WVU Parkersburg

Speaker:  Christine Davies,  Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and Workforce Participation