Big Picture, Local Voices

What does the economy have in store for your business in 2027, and who better to ask than the people actually running businesses right here at home? Janet Michael sits down with Scott Harvard, CEO of First Bank; Cynthia Schneider, CEO of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber; and Taylor Coumes, the Chamber's Director of Event Management, to preview the fifth annual Economic Summit, coming to Shenandoah University on November 19.

The summit pairs a national view from Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, with a local perspective from Dr. Michael Hicks of Shenandoah University's School of Business and a panel of area business leaders from Johnny Blue, Winchester Regional Airport, and Trex. Scott, Cynthia, and Taylor talk about why the event is timed for budget season, why students get in free, why it's only half a day, and why even a 35-person business should make the time. Scott's answer to that last question is one you won't want to miss.

EVENT DETAILS

Event: 2026 Economic Summit (fifth annual), presented by First Bank Hosted by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, at Shenandoah University's School of Business Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026 Time: 8:30 AM–noon (continental breakfast and networking at 8:30, a mid-morning networking break, and wrap-up at lunchtime) Location: Stimpson Auditorium, Halpin-Harrison Hall, Shenandoah University, Winchester Speakers: Keynote Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; featured speaker Dr. Michael Hicks, Director of the School of Business and Eldon R. Lindsey Professor of Economics, Shenandoah University; local business panel moderated by Scott Harvard Tickets: $45 Chamber members; $55 non-members; free for students. Open to everyone, not just Chamber members. Seating is limited and the event is expected to sell out. Registration deadline: November 7 How to register: regionalchamber.biz → Signature Events → Economic Summit Sponsorships: Still available. Details are on the event page, or contact Taylor Coumes at the Chamber. LINKS & RESOURCES

Top of Virginia Regional Chamber (registration and sponsorships): regionalchamber.biz Shenandoah University School of Business: su.edu First Bank: https://www.fbvirginia.com/  Weekend picks from the end of the show: Last Friday market of the season, Church Street, Middletown: vendors, food trucks, and live music (Friday, Oct. 30) Monster Mash, hosted by Friends of Old Town (Saturday, Oct. 31): details on the Friends of Old Town Facebook p