Putting the 757’s Tech Talent in One Room

What would happen if you put the smartest tech talent the 757 has to offer in one room?

That question sits at the center of Hampton Roads DevFest, returning on February 27, 2026, under the leadership of RevolutionVA. It’s not a slogan or a thought experiment. It’s the reason this event exists at all.

According to one of the organizers Kevin Griffin, the issue in Hampton Roads has never been a lack of technical talent. The challenge is visibility. The region is full of skilled developers, engineers, and technologists who spend most of their careers working quietly behind the scenes. DevFest exists to bring that talent into the open, not by importing outside voices, but by putting local expertise front and center.

Hampton Roads DevFest is intentionally built around the 757. Every speaker has roots in the region. Some are still here building inside companies that rarely get spotlighted. Others left years ago, built careers elsewhere, and are now coming back to share what they’ve learned. That full-circle dynamic reinforces the idea that Hampton Roads doesn’t need to look to Raleigh, Atlanta, or DC to find smart people doing meaningful work. The talent is already here, even if it’s often hidden by the nature of the region’s industries, especially defense, healthcare, and government contracting.

Rather than locking speakers into topics months in advance, the DevFest team builds the event around people first. The industry moves too fast to do it any other way. Especially with AI and modern development workflows evolving rapidly, what felt relevant six months ago may already be outdated. By focusing on speakers they trust to deliver value, the content stays grounded in what actually matters now, not what sounded good when a call for proposals closed.

The audience reflects that same practicality. DevFest is designed for a broad technical crowd, from junior developers and students to senior engineers, directors, and C-level leaders. Sessions are selected to be accessible without being watered down, which is why the event runs as a single track. Everyone hears the same talks. Everyone shares the same space. That structure removes hierarchy and creates a shared experience that’s rare in larger conferences.

For many attendees, DevFest is the one tech event they make time for all year. Griffin has been organizing events in Hampton Roads for nearly two decades, and he’s seen the pattern repeat itself. Developers who don’t attend monthly meetups still show up for DevFest. For some, it’s the only place they reconnect with the broader community. It’s also where a lot of quiet career moments happen, even if that’s not the headline.

DevFest isn’t a job fair, but careers are built there all the time. People meet future employers, collaborators, and mentors simply by being in the room, not because they needed something that day, but because relationships were formed before they were needed. Most roles aren’t filled through applications or recruiters. They’re filled through connections. Being present matters, especially in a region where jobs can feel stable enough that networking becomes optional. DevFest is a reminder that staying connected isn’t about panic. It’s about options.

The venue, the Zeiders American Dream Theater, fits the energy DevFest is designed to create. The focus is simple: choose a space that matches the moment, fill it, and let it feel powerful. A full room carries its own momentum, and that shared energy is part of what makes the experience work.

Hampton Roads DevFest is a one-day, single-track conference running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with lunch included. Six local speakers will take the stage, each selected for their ability to share meaningful insight rather than just credentials. Tickets are intentionally accessible, with general admission priced at $50 and VIP tickets available for $100, offering reserved seating and additional concession tickets. Prices increase the week before the event to support final planning, but the goal has always been to keep the barrier to entry low.

At its core, Hampton Roads DevFest is about creating opportunities for software developers across the region. While Griffin has been a visible part of that work, the event itself is the product of a broader team effort. Alongside him, Linda Nichols, Cortney Doucette, and David Tippett serve as the core organizers, supported by a dedicated volunteer team. Together, they’re focused on providing resources, connections, and visibility for the region’s technical community.

Putting the 757’s tech talent in one room doesn’t just create a conference. It shows what’s already here, waiting to be seen.

Learn more and get tickets at hrdevfest.org.