CONVERGE 2026 Lowcountry Economic Development Summit
Didn’t get to attend CONVERGE this year?
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 8am – 11:30am
Pinckney Hall at Sun City, Bluffton
Be part of the conversation shaping the Lowcountry’s workforce future. Converge 2026 brings together business, education, and community leaders for a day of collaboration and insight — including a keynote presentation, from South Carolina’s Director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development, Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant. Discover strategies, resources, and real-world examples to help your organization attract, develop, and retain top talent.
Converge 2026 Keynote Speakers
Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant
Director
Office of Statewide Workforce Development (OSWD)
Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster and confirmed by the SC Senate as the first director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development (OSWD) and is leading the effort to coordinate, align, and direct workforce efforts across South Carolina. The goal of the OSWD is to implement projects assigned by the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development to maximize available resources and create a customer-centric workforce development system that is accessible, effective, and easy to navigate.
Jason Semple
Director of Business Development
SouthernCarolina Regional Development Alliance
Jason Semple currently serves as the Director of Business Development for the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance (SCA). SCA’s mission is to sustain and create jobs that will improve the quality of life in seven counties—Allendale, Beaufort, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper—through the ideals of cooperation and regionalism.
Semple began his economic development career in 2005 as Director of Operations and Marketing for the Martin County (NC) Economic Development Corporation. In 2008, he joined the NC Department of Commerce, where he served for 7 years. In 2015, he returned to Martin County (NC) Economic Development as its President & CEO. In 2022 he joined Brunswick (NC) Business & Industry Development as Director of Business Development. He joined SCA in September 2025. Collectively, his efforts have resulted in more than 5,000 jobs created or retained and $1.7 billion in tax base. He also has private sector experience in supply chain logistics and sales and marketing.
John O'Toole
Executive Director
Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation
John A. O’Toole is responsible for business, retention, expansion and attraction to Beaufort County which includes Bluffton, Beaufort, Port Royal and Hilton Head Island. In addition to these functions John facilitates public policy discussion in the areas of best practices in land use and workforce development. Prior to joining the BCEDC John worked for Eversource Energy in Connecticut for 18 years. In that function John supported the Eversource’s efforts in the community, economic policy, business and community development and served as the company’s chief liaison to key state and regional economic development organizations.
New CONVERGE 2026 Videos
Click below to watch this year’s Beaufort County Mayors and local leaders.
Converge 2026 Sponsors
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Interested In Sponsoring Converge 2027?
Would you consider partnering with us as a sponsor of next year’s summit? We have a number of options available, including booth space at the event!
New WHHI TV Series “Converge”
Click below to watch WHHI interview videos with Beaufort County Mayors and local leaders.