CONVERGE 2026 Lowcountry Economic Development Summit

Converge 2026 - People First. Progress Together.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 8am – 11:30am
Pickney 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.

Registration Coming Soon

Interested In Sponsoring Converge 2026?

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!

Contact Brian Warner

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.

Prior to her current role, Battle-Bryant was the president and owner of Battle Plan Consulting, LLC which was a full-service human resource, workforce development, and public outreach consulting firm. Additionally, she was the vice-president of Human Resources and Workforce Development at United Infrastructure Group; assistant executive director, Workforce & Economic Development, at South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce; vice-president of Corporate Training & Economic Development at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, and in progressive management positions at SCANA Corporation/Dominion Energy in Customer Service, Corporate Training, Gas Operations, and Call Center Operations.

She is also a keynote speaker and author of her research on teams, team communications and behaviors, and workforce issues. She co-authored The Workforce Development Playbook (2021) and developed a comprehensive workforce assessment (2024) to aid SC employers in assessing and close their workforce gaps, in partnership with the South Carolina Manufacturing Partnership (SCMEP).

Battle-Bryant is a graduate of Auburn University where she received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing and Sales, and a Master of Business Administration. She received a doctorate degree at the University of South Carolina in Higher Education Administration in 2009. She is a published author, certified economic developer, SHRM Certified Professional, DISC coach/consultant, and an authorized SHRM Recertification Credit Provider.

She is married to Drayton Bryant, has one daughter, Vivian, and a myriad of rescued dogs and cats, as well as songbirds…and whatever else Mother Nature drops at her feet. Animal rescue and wildlife protection are personal passions, as well as being an avid runner, Pilates instructor, and Sudoku addict.

John O'Toole

Executive Director
Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation

John A. O’Toole is the Executive Director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation. John 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.

John served three terms as the chief elected official of Seymour, Connecticut. In that function John lead revitalization efforts in downtown, aggressive efforts to market and fill the town’s industrial park, as well as regional efforts to address brownfields and stimulate economic development. John received his bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, his master’s in business administration from the University of New Haven and has been designated a Certified Economic Developer by the International Economic Development Council.