Tennessee Valley Corridor shifts to online events this summer

The Tennessee Valley Corridor will shift its Annual Summit and 25th anniversary celebration to a series of online events this summer.

The change, which was announced this month, is being made as large summer conferences and gatherings remain in doubt because of social distancing recommendations from public health officials, a press release said.

The Annual Summit had been scheduled for July 15-16 at Milligan College in Johnson City.

But the Tennessee Valley Corridor will instead have people participate in a series of weekly Summit sessions for five consecutive weeks starting Thursday, July 16. Each session will highlight many of the same speakers, topics, and organizations, but the new virtual format aims to maximize participation during the continued COVID-19 crisis, the press release said.

More details and information about how to participate in the Virtual Summit sessions will be announced soon, the press release said.

“It is unfortunate that public health concerns are not going to let us gather in person this summer, but we are excited to explore this new virtual series as a way to convene and connect even more key leaders and organizations across the Corridor,” said Bill Tindal, TVC board chair and site manager of the Y-12 National Security Complex.

“We will still feature the same outstanding lineup of keynote speakers, expert panels, and highlighted Summit sponsors, but will do so in a series of 90-minute-long Summit sessions over five consecutive weeks. We regret not being with our hosts Congressman Phil Roe and Dr. Bill Greer at Milligan, but we look forward to featuring them at our first session on July 16.”

During the past 25 years, the TVC has worked to advance important federal missions and expand federal investments in the Corridor to create more private-sector job opportunities across the region, the press release said. Today, federal investment in the region tops $75 billion annually and directly employs more than 150,000 across 82 different federal agencies in the Corridor.

For more information about the Tennessee Valley Corridor and the National Summit, visit www.TennValleyCorridor.org or send an email to TVC Executive Director Darrell Akins at dakins@akinsps.com.