More than 275 Regional Business Leaders to Attend MSV Event Featuring Panel Presentation by Economic Development Experts Christopher Lloyd, Patrick Barker, and Shawn Hershberger

Winchester, VA 9/27/18…More than 275 regional business leaders have registered to attend the tenth annual Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) Business Forum Luncheon on Thursday, September 27. The highlight of the event will be a panel discussion about the future of economic development in Winchester and Frederick County.

The sold-out event, sponsored by Swift Run Capital, will offer an opportunity for networking from 11 a.m. until noon. Lunch will be served at noon, with the presentation following at 12:30 p.m.

Panelists include Christopher Lloyd, senior vice president and director, infrastructure and economic development, of McGuireWoods Consulting (Richmond, VA); Patrick Barker, executive director of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority; and Shawn Hershberger, development services director for the City of Winchester. A specialist in site selection and economic development incentives negotiations for McGuireWoods Consulting, Lloyd will address the factors driving business site selections. All three panelists will discuss the economic forecast for Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia, and offer suggestions to business leaders about preparing for the future.

According ten years ago to present a forum for discussion regarding the most pressing issues of the day for the region’s business leaders. Director Evans credits the efforts of the MSV’s volunteer Business Forum Planning Committee for developing the popular event that has sold out each year.

Previously featured speakers for the MSV Business Forum Luncheon have included: in 2009, John A. Allison, chairman of BB&T Corporation; in 2010, Mark H. Merrill, president and chief executive officer of Valley Health; in 2011, the Honorable David M. Walker, founder, president, and chief executive officer of the Comeback America Initiative; in 2012, Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs and one the nation’s most respected health and health-policy journalists; in 2013, Sean T. Connaughton, Secretary of Transportation, Commonwealth of Virginia; in 2014, Larry J. Sabato, PhD, founder and director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics; in 2015, renowned leadership speaker Tommy Spaulding; in 2016, Edwin T. Burton, PhD, professor of economics at the University of Virginia; and last year, Della Britton, president and CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

A regional cultural center, the MSV is located at 901 Amherst Street in Winchester, Virginia. The MSV includes galleries displaying permanent collections and rotating exhibitions, the Glen Burnie House, seven acres of gardens, and is the future home of The Trails at the MSV, which will provide three miles of trails for walking, running, or biking. The galleries and exhibitions are open year-round; the house and gardens are open April through December. The MSV is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. January through March). The MSV is closed on Monday. Admission is $10 or $8 for seniors and youth ages 13 to 18. General admission is free to youth ages 12 and under and to MSV Members. Thanks to sponsor Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., admission is free to all every Wednesday. Additional details are available at www.theMSV.org or by calling 540-662-1473, ext. 235. –END–