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Attend Focus Forward: West Virginia’s Digital Destiny

Focus Forward Graphic

The WVU community is invited to join more than 400 statewide leaders for the event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 27 at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.

Hosted by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the sixth annual Focus Forward conference will explore what it means to become a digital West Virginia. 

Hear what technologies are on the horizon that will continue to revolutionize all aspects of society and how we communicate with one another — at home, at work and at school. Also learn what your digital identity entails and the benefits of digitizing our state. 

Featured speakers include the following:

  • President Gordon Gee

  • Marshall University President Brad D. Smith

  • Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Executive Director Dr. Ali Rezai

  • U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito

  • Amazon Web Services Director of Strategic Engagement and Innovation Kimberley Williams

  • Major General James Hoyer

  • Vantage Venture Executive Director Sarah Biller

  • National cybersecurity leader Josh Brunty

  • West Virginia Department of Education representatives

  • Academia specialists

  • Industry leaders in finance, health care and manufacturing, and many more

If you are a faculty member, staff, student or West Virginian who wants to help prepare West Virginia for its brightest future and succeed in tomorrow's digital world, you are encouraged to attend this event.

Find the full program, speaker lineup and registration details.