Front Line to Production Line — First Annual Manufacturing Hiring & Credentialing Expo

About this event

The best way to honor a veteran is to hire one. Veterans honored on stage, then hired on the floor. Free. Open to everyone. Roanoke, 04 NOV.

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DESCRIPTION:

Virginia Western and GENEDGE honor Virginia veterans on stage, then connect veterans and job seekers with manufacturers hiring now — Front Line to Production Line, 04 NOV, Roanoke. Free, open to everyone.Virginia Western Community College and GENEDGE host the first annual Front Line to Production Line Manufacturing Honoring & Hiring Expo. One day, two parts: in the morning, Virginia manufacturers publicly honor their veteran employees on stage; in the afternoon, those manufacturers open no-cost hiring tables for every veteran and job seeker in the region. The best way to honor a veteran is to hire one.

Who: Presented by Virginia Western Community College and GENEDGE, with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. For veterans, their families, job seekers, and Virginia manufacturers. Open to everyone.

What: HONOR (10:00 AM–12:00 PM, Whitman Theatre): manufacturers honor their veteran employees on stage; all nominated veterans recognized; families and the community invited; military guest speaker and patriotic music. LUNCH (12:00–1:00 PM): available on site. HIRE (1:00–4:00 PM, Fralin Center, 2nd floor): manufacturing job fair and workforce resources — manufacturers hiring now, credentialing and upskilling opportunities, veterans services, advanced manufacturing technology and robotics.

When: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 · Honor ceremony 10 AM–noon · Lunch 12–1 PM · Job fair 1–4 PM.

Where: Virginia Western Community College, 3094 Colonial Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24015. Ceremony: Whitman Theatre (M106), Business Science Building. Job fair: Rooms HP208–HP210, Fralin Center, 2nd floor. Free parking.

Why: To honor those who served, in public, and to put them in front of employers hiring the same afternoon — with credentialing and training pathways so veterans leave with contacts and a route to a recognized credential.

How to take part

MANUFACTURERS AND HIRERS — two ways to participate, no cost:

1. HONOR — nominate a veteran employee for public recognition on stage. Featured on-stage recognition is limited; all nominated veterans are recognized.

2. HIRE — recruit at a no-cost hiring table on the job-fair floor. Bring openings, applications, and someone who can interview.

First, register your attendance here (one ticket per attending representative). Then email Andre B. Corbin at acorbin@genedge.org or call 423-530-9581 to confirm your table and submit your veteran nomination. Nominations and table requests close October 24.

VETERANS AND JOB SEEKERS — free entry, please register:

Register here so we can plan seating and lunch. Bring copies of your résumé. Meet employers who are hiring, explore training and credentialing, and access veterans services and workforce partners.

Questions: Andre B. Corbin · acorbin@genedge.org · 423-530-9581

Register Here

From Virginia Western Community College