The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) held its 2015 Winter Conference February 5th and 6th in Richmond. To start the conference, the VAPDC again joined the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) for their Annual County Government Day at the General Assembly before kicking off their conference with the theme, “A Regional Approach to Virginia’s Workforce Challenges and Opportunities.”  

The conference began with a professional development session for PDC executive directors, followed by an evening reception at Rhythm Hall at Richmond’s CenterStage. Reception attendees were treated to a presentation from Martin Briley, President  and CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). Mr. Briley outlined VEDP, its activity on behalf of the state and how important workforce development efforts are to the VEDP’s goal to diversify of Virginia’s economy.

The second day of the conference started bright and early with an awards breakfast honoring state and local officials, as well as legislators and regional planning best practices, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. After breakfast, conference attendees moved through a series of presentations called, a “Conversation with the Federal Reserve.” Employees from the Federal Reserve presented their analysis of material surrounding workforce development and human capital; information from the latest Community Pulse survey conducted by bank staff; and economic trends in the bank’s five state region and the nation. Federal Reserve staff finished each session with a lively and frank question and answer period. The conference ended with a panel discussion, “Workforce Challenges and Opportunities,” and a farewell luncheon.
 
The VAPDC is a statewide association comprised of the 21 Planning District Commissions/Regional Councils in Virginia. The VAPDC’s purpose is to “promote coordination and cooperation among the Commonwealth's Planning District Commissions/Regional Councils to heighten their effectiveness and efficiency; provide mutual assistance and the exchange of ideas; and otherwise promote understanding for how PDCs/RCs can help save their regions and the Commonwealth time and money.”